Patty Murray: “I've come to the floor to join my colleagues in discussing where our annual budgeting process stands. We are just three…”

“I've come to the floor to join my colleagues in discussing where our annual budgeting process stands. We are just three days away from the start of the new fiscal year, and the Senate is far behind in its work. The resulting rush is leading some to short-circuit our usual appropriations process. Like so many of my colleagues, I am dismayed that Senators are being denied the opportunity to fully consider and debate these appropriations bills. I want to commend Senator Byrd for his comments today. Senator Byrd is once again speaking for the United States Senate. His comments are neither Republican nor Democrat. With his usual elegance and candor, Senator Byrd is championing this institution, and we should all commend him for that. The Senate that he defends so passionately is one that works for both parties; works for all Senators; and most importantly, works for the American people. Time and again during my eight years of service in this body, I have made the walk from my office to this floor. And each time, I bring with me a certain excitement and anticipation for the great opportunity the people of Washington state have given me to represent them as we debate issues from education to foreign policy to health care. Unfortunately, there have been very few opportunities to come to this floor and engage in meaningful debate. Too often, the majority has sought to either stifle or deny debate on the issues Americans care about.”