Thomas Daschle: “as we all know, Congress has not yet completed action on 11 appropriations bills. These bills fund such important…”

“as we all know, Congress has not yet completed action on 11 appropriations bills. These bills fund such important domestic priorities as homeland security, education, and veterans medical care. In order to keep these important functions of Government up and running, we have already worked with the House to pass two continuing resolutions, the last of which expires on Friday. The House of Representatives has just passed and sent to the Senate a third continuing resolution. House Republicans are now proposing that we leave town and let the Government run on autopilot until November 22. Why November 22? By picking a Friday a week before Thanksgiving, House Republicans are signaling they are not serious about completing the appropriations bills in November either. It will be extraordinarily difficult, in the several days before Thanksgiving, for us to get all the parties together to settle all the issues that have been insoluble for the past several months. The House Republican proposal seems designed to be an auto-pilot until next year, a recipe for a CR that starves basic Government programs essential to the health and well-being of millions of Americans. Indeed, several leading Republicans have indicated this is really their preference. Senators should not be under any illusion: a long-term CR will do just that. It will starve vital functions of Government. And you don't have to take my word for it.…”