David Thomas: “I have been wanting to come to the floor for some time to talk a little bit about the situation that we are in here in…”

“I have been wanting to come to the floor for some time to talk a little bit about the situation that we are in here in the Senate, here in the Congress, the amount of work that we have to do in a relatively short time, and, frankly, to urge my colleagues that we get on with it. The immediate need, of course, is to deal with the appropriations, to deal with continuing to finish what has to be done this year so that we keep the Federal Government operating, so that we do the things that need to be done. At last count, it seems to me, out of 13 appropriations, I think only three have been passed: one prepared by the Presiding Officer, which is the only one I think signed by the President. In any event, we have a great deal to do. Of course, as is always the case, there are many things being talked about, some of which are amendments on appropriations. Others are freestanding bills. But a lot of things could wait. None of us like to see things wait that are ours, of course. But I guess I am prepared to say that the appropriations are what we need to do, and finish this job so that a week from Friday we will be out of here.”