Mark Hatfield: “the Senator from Ohio and the Senator from Iowa raise the issue of logic. Unfortunately, neither this body or the other…”

“the Senator from Ohio and the Senator from Iowa raise the issue of logic. Unfortunately, neither this body or the other body has always functioned under the great label of logic. We are in a ridiculous situation. Obviously, we are, and we are having to deal with it in a very--we will attempt to do it in an orderly fashion. I would like to point out that this is the seventh CR since October 1-- six were signed into law--and the Office of Inspector General has been operating at the House level since October 1. They have not been required to furlough any employees. This is the first time this issue has been raised in six of those CR's. Consequently, they have survived, you might say, or have functioned at a reduced level, or whatever. But the point is they are functioning. I also want to add that the Senate has not been able to act on the Labor-HHS appropriation bill due to the objections raised primarily by the Democratic side of the aisle, and on a couple of occasions by the Republican side of the aisle. Those usually circulated around rider issues rather than the substance of these issues, such as the inspector general's office. We are, therefore, in a further deficient role as with the House because the House did pass a Labor-HHS, and we have not yet passed such appropriation bill here in the Senate. This is not a permanent situation because of the fact that it goes until March 15. I am very hopeful that we can find $5 billion more.…”