On the recordJuly 14, 2011
I don't believe we are, but I have to give this subcommittee credit. I am told that the appropriations bill now before the Senate is the first stand-alone appropriations bill brought to the floor of the Senate since 2008. When I came here, we would try to pass all our appropriations bills, at least a number of them, before the August recess and all by September 30. When we did not, we were embarrassed. In the last several years, everything has been cobbled into one big continuing resolution and moved in a block. I guess I say to my colleagues as I yield the floor, thank you for proceeding at a pace to get a bill forward. It is not your fault that we have not had a budget at this point in time. I yield the floor and reserve the remainder of the time. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Blumenthal). The Senator from South Dakota.
