Jack Reed: “it is a bittersweet task that brings us back to Washington for one last vote before the end of the 105th Congress.…”

“it is a bittersweet task that brings us back to Washington for one last vote before the end of the 105th Congress. Today, we will complete our work on the fiscal year 1999 budget. To be sure, there is much that I like about the Conference Report before us, but there are some provisions that I strongly disagree with. On balance, however, it is a budget that is worthy of support. Like many of my colleagues, I must lament the process that has brought us to this point--20 days after the start of the fiscal year. The Conference Report that we are about to vote on is almost 4,000 pages long. We have been given only a few hours to examine it. None of us knows the complete contents of the legislation, and there has been no opportunity to debate or offer amendments. Fortunately, we have avoided a budgetary train-wreck similar to the one that closed down the government in 1995. But, Mr. President, this year the train is extremely late, and to hear the debate in this chamber, nobody wants to take responsibility for driving the engine. We have subverted the regular budgetary process, failing even to pass a Budget Resolution. The majority could not reconcile its own discordant priorities to pass this blueprint legislation, which is required by law.”