John Cornyn: “I am sure I am not alone in expressing concern for what the next few weeks in the runup to Christmas are going to look…”

“I am sure I am not alone in expressing concern for what the next few weeks in the runup to Christmas are going to look like, and certainly the Senate and the Congress have not operated as a well-oiled machine, to be sure. Back in September, when the Senate should have passed a group of bills to fund the government for the next year, we saw the can get kicked down the road. Last month, when our Democratic colleagues, the majority, had ample time and a clear roadmap to raise the debt ceiling, they punted and really depended on 11 of us on this side of the aisle to avoid a threat to the full faith and credit of the United States. Despite a strong push from both the distinguished Presiding Officer, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and the ranking member, the majority leader has so far refused to bring up the National Defense Authorization Act even though it has been ready for months. I am hoping that will change this week. I am advised that it will change and it will be taken up. These are not necessarily lofty goals we are talking about. We are talking about the bare minimum when it comes to doing the work of the Nation: funding the government, paying our bills, strengthening our military. But none of these basic responsibilities have been accomplished yet. These delays weren't out of necessity. After all, the Senate hasn't been debating and voting on important legislation--just a series of nominations and dead-on-arrival messaging bills.…”