On the recordJanuary 16, 2014
let me first thank Senator Shelby and Senator Mikulski for their very hard work on this Omnibus appropriations bill. That is what I am down here to speak on. The American people sent us to make choices, sometimes very tough choices. They do not expect perfection, but they do expect us to be fair and to get the job done. Americans are tired of shutdowns and sequestration and stopgap funding. Today we are making decisions we were sent here to make. The annual appropriations process is the right way to do the people's business. Instead of kicking the can and passing the buck, lurching from crisis to crisis, I think we are making some significant progress. This was my first year on the Appropriations Committee. I especially wanted to thank Chairman Mikulski for her leadership, her unfailing support, and for doing such an amazing job. She once said, ``It is not how long I serve but how well I serve.'' Senator Mikulski has proven once again on both counts she is truly exceptional. This bill returns some sanity to the budget process in Washington. I am pleased that for the most part it does well by New Mexico. New Mexico plays a unique role in our Nation's national security. This bill provides strong funding levels for the safety and security of our Nation's nuclear deterrent, including the important B61 project at Sandia National Labs. The President's request of $537 million is fully funded.…
