Senate to Pass Appropriations Bills, Begin Work on Farm Bill
‘This afternoon, our colleagues will vote to pass the first three of twelve appropriations bills for FY 2019…Then, we’ll turn to another major priority -- the farm bill…The committee reported the farm bill to the full Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan margin. This week, we’ll have the chance to pass the bill in the same fashion. On behalf of the farmers in my home state of Kentucky and around the country, I hope each Senator will take advantage of this opportunity.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Senate consideration of bipartisan appropriations legislation and the farm bill:
“This afternoon, our colleagues will vote to pass the first three of twelve appropriations bills for FY 2019. When they do, the Senate will be putting more common sense back into the appropriations process. This hasn’t come easily. But thanks to the leadership of Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Leahy, the process thus far has been governed by level-headed bipartisanship.
“I am optimistic the same will be true for the nine remaining appropriations measures. Great progress has already been made at the committee level, and I look forward to considering more legislation on the floor soon.
“It’s particularly fitting that, after the passage of the John S. McCain 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and historic veterans legislation earlier this year, the first group of appropriations bills includes much-needed resources for the VA and military construction projects.
“This ‘minibus’ also includes funding under the Energy & Water title for critical maintenance of America’s ports and waterways infrastructure, for groundbreaking research on energy development and efficiency, and for improvements to the safety, security, and readiness of our nuclear arsenal.
“Our colleagues on the Appropriations committee -- particularly these subcommittee chairmen, Senators Alexander, Boozman, and Daines -- have earned our support. This is worthy legislation. I look forward to passing it today.
“Then, we’ll turn to another major priority -- the farm bill. Under Chairman Roberts’ leadership, along with Ranking Member Stabenow, the Agriculture committee has continued its tradition of addressing the needs of American farmers and ranchers with the serious bipartisanship they deserve. And today, the needs are great. In the face of declines in farm income, growers and producers need certainty and stability. That’s what this bill would help provide.
“The committee reported the farm bill to the full Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan margin. This week, we’ll have the chance to pass the bill in the same fashion. On behalf of the farmers in my home state of Kentucky and around the country, I hope each Senator will take advantage of this opportunity.”
Related Issues: Farm Bill, Veterans, Energy, Appropriations, America's Military
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