Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Ahead Of Senate Passage Of Government Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the successful agreement to avoid a shutdown on the first six funding bills to keep important programs funded for the American people. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks:
After months of hard work, we have good news for the country: tonight the Senate has reached an agreement avoiding a shutdown on the first six funding bills. We will keep important programs funded for moms and kids, for veterans, for the environment, for housing, and so much more.
Because both sides cooperated today, we’ve taken a major step towards our goal of fully funding the government. Today’s bipartisan agreement gives us momentum and space to finish the remaining appropriations bills by March 22nd. Of course, it’s going to take both sides working together to keep that momentum alive.
To folks who worry that divided government means nothing ever gets done, this bipartisan package says otherwise: it helps parents and veterans and firefighters and farmers and school cafeterias and more.
We’ve fully funded WIC so seven million moms and kids won’t be malnourished. We’ve built on the Infrastructure law by providing billions to repair our roads and bridges and highways. We’ll be able to hire more air traffic controllers and rail safety inspectors. And we’re taking care of our veterans with support for veteran’s homelessness, mental health, and women veterans.
I want to thank our appropriators, you’ve done such a fine job. Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins, as well as all the appropriations staff, and my staff.
Thank you to Leader McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries. This is an outcome both parties can be proud of, because we have found a way to put the needs of our country first.
