Patrick Leahy: “I am struck by the way the Republican majority is managing the Senate. I have noted that we do not yet have a Federal…”

“I am struck by the way the Republican majority is managing the Senate. I have noted that we do not yet have a Federal budget resolution. It is July and we have as yet considered only one appropriations bill, and that one bill still has to be resolved with the House. We have yet even to consider the other 12 appropriations bills that are normally regarded as "must pass" legislation--that is unless Republicans intend to shut the Government down, again. Instead, the Republican majority has apparently decided to devote the July work period to partisan political matters. We are reading press accounts about Republicans maneuvering to bring the divisive constitutional amendment to federalize marriage to this floor for debate. The Senate Judiciary Committee has held a few hearings on this issue but has yet to consider language of a proposed constitutional amendment. Bypassing the committee of jurisdiction to bring this or any constitutional amendment to the Senate floor is an unmistakable sign that political expediency and haste, in the furtherance of political expediency, are the guiding principles for the Republican majority in scheduling the Senate's time. Political expediency--whatever it takes-- is their guidepost, not the pressing needs of the country to act on a budget or on the annual appropriations bills.”