On the recordFebruary 28, 2012
I will yield. Mr. McCONNELL. We have negotiated the top line for the discretionary spending for this coming fiscal year. That process is normally done by the passage of a budget by the House and a budget by the Senate, with some reconciliation between the two bodies on the top line. But we already have that number. I wish to second what my friend the majority leader said. There is no good reason for this institution not to move forward with an appropriations process that avoids what we have done so frequently under both parties for years and years: either continuing resolutions or omnibus appropriations. We have an opportunity to avoid that this year. It is the basic work of Congress. I wish to second what the majority leader said and congratulate Senator Alexander and Senator Pryor for their leadership on this issue. I hope we can join together and do the basic work of government this year and do it in a timely fashion. I commend the majority leader and associate myself with his comments.
