On the recordDecember 21, 2012
I want to say that we all will miss Senator Inouye. He was one of the most loved people who have ever served in this Senate. But I also want to say that we have passed on now and will take the bill in its entirety later. But because of the leadership of Senator Mikulski and many others working together, we now have a start on the supplemental appropriation. We have worked in the Senate together to accommodate the concerns of many on our side about that bill. We have now had a say. I think there will be overwhelming support now for going forward. I think that is due to the ability of Senator Mikulski to step to the plate and become the first woman chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the history of the Senate. She has already shown the leadership that will continue in her tenure as chairman. I have worked with her as the ranking member of the subcommittee this last year on appropriations. She has been chair, and I have been the ranking member. I will say that every time we have had a disagreement, it has been worked out, and we have passed our bills, our legislation. That is what is going to happen next year as she becomes the chairman of Appropriations. I think it is a good day for the Senate.
