Political Quotes

“let me first congratulate Senator Nickles. This is the chairman's first budget resolution, and I particularly thank him and his staff for all their hard work these last nearly 7 weeks to bring us to this point today. It has not been easy, but the committee has met its schedule and completed the budget resolution ahead of the statutory deadline of April 15. I understand this is the second fastest budget resolution conference agreement ever considered. Senators might be reminded that the last time we adopted a budget resolution in the Senate was almost 2 years ago on May 8, 2001, under the chairmanship of Senator Pete Domenici, at a time when the Senate was 50-50. The Senate, for the first time in the 27 years of the Budget Act, did not adopt a budget resolution last year, did not even consider one here on the Senate floor. And I truly believe that our failure to complete 11 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2003 until just 8 weeks ago, was a direct result of not adopting a budget last year. So having a budget resolution that we can vote on today, is not only important for how it will allow the legislative calendar to move forward in a more orderly manner, it is also important to the institution. The congressional budget process now is back in operation and that is important not only for today but for the future of how business is conducted particularly in this chamber. Without a budget, chaos would rein in the legislative calendar.”