Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The National Defense Authorization Act And Government Funding Legislation

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the importance of funding the government and the need to pass the annual defense authorization bill. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

We have twenty-six days left in the calendar year, and there is still a lot we have to do. This week, the House is expected to take up the annual defense authorization bill, priming the Senate to take action perhaps as soon as next week.

The Senate’s work on funding the government also continues. I just finished a meeting with the Republican Leader about finding a constructive path forward to keep the government funded next fiscal year. Leader McConnell and I have both publicly affirmed the importance of getting this done, because our troops, our military, and our national security depends on it.

And this Wednesday, in fact, the Senate will hold another classified briefing on the state of play in Ukraine, and I hope that my colleagues recognize how funding the government is inextricably tied to supporting Ukraine while protecting American national security here at home. The two are tied together.

So we’re going to continue negotiations until we get the job done. On funding the government, both sides recognize the importance, so now both sides must chart a path forward together.

###