Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the end of the fiscal year for the U.S. Government came and went without a new funding bill in place. It was a big disappointment because this summer I thought we had reached an agreement on a 2-year budget package designed to make the appropriations process much simpler and eliminate the uncertainty that comes from continuing resolutions and stop-start funding for government agencies. We agreed to topline funding for defense and nondefense spending. It was a big deal. There was also a promise not to derail the process with poison pill policy riders, and we got it done with plenty of time to spare. I remember at the time thinking, hey, maybe we can help restore some regular order and put the function back in Congress rather than the dysfunction. But, unfortunately, politics got in the way. When the time came last month to make good on the promises that were made during that 2-year budget cap deal, Senate Democrats blocked a bill to fund our national defense. You heard me right. Senate Democrats blocked the appropriations for our national defense. If there is one thing we should make a priority here in Washington, DC, it is protecting our country, keeping our men and women in uniform adequately trained with the equipment and the resources they need in order to fight and win the Nation's wars, and, even better, to prevent a war from being fought in the first place. But our Democratic colleagues simply blocked it. It wasn't a disagreement over the amount.…”