On the recordJanuary 9, 2024
as the Senate begins our work in 2024, three things are true. First, there is a lot we have to do at the start of the year, including funding the government, working towards a national security supplemental, confirming more nominees through the Senate, and much more. We made good progress on many bipartisan bills last year, which we would like to bring to the floor this year. Second, the only way we are going to get anything of consequence done is through bipartisan cooperation. Third, the Senate is off to a good start. A few days ago, I announced, alongside Speaker Johnson, that congressional leaders have reached a significant milestone for government funding. We have agreed to top-line funding numbers for fiscal year 2024. This now clears the path for appropriators to begin drafting the 12 appropriations bills. Yesterday, I spoke with Chairman Murray, and then I met in my office with Leader McConnell, and we are all on the same page that we want to move as quickly as we can to finish the appropriations process. We have only 10 days until the first deadline on January 19. So both parties must continue working together to minimize the risk of a government shutdown. Now, it wasn't easy to come to an agreement on top-line numbers, but Democrats are very pleased with the ultimate outcome.…
