Patrick Leahy: “I will be very brief. I will note that, as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, this bill was negotiated on a…”

“I will be very brief. I will note that, as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, this bill was negotiated on a bipartisan-bicameral basis to keep the government open and operating until February 18. I urge every Member to vote ``aye.'' We have to pass it tonight, but I warn and remind every Senator: It is not a substitute for doing our work. We have to use the next 2 months to negotiate and enact full-year appropriations bills. I hope my Republican friends will come to the table to negotiate toplines. The Democrats have made a fair offer, a strong offer, and we need a response. So I thank Vice Chairman Shelby for his cooperation and hard work on this bill. I look forward to working with him, as I did earlier today, and will continue to until we get an agreement on a topline and all 12 appropriations bills by February 18. Let's get to work and show the country the Senate can do its work. I yield the floor. Vote on H.R. 6119”