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Senate Continues Work on Bipartisan Bill Important for American Energy, Jobs

‘By returning to regular order, we’ve opened up the process and empowered Senators — both those who sit on the Appropriations Committee and those who do not — to have more of a say in appropriations legislation.’

April 26, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate consideration of the energy security and water infrastructure appropriations bill:

“When the new majority resolved to get the Senate back to work, we knew we’d have to get committees functioning again first. We believed that would be critical to helping members on both sides rediscover their voices and find common ground — and then develop real stakes in the outcome.

“That’s certainly what we’ve seen this appropriations season.

“The Appropriations Committee has held dozens of hearings already, it’s marked up funding bills at a steady clip, and it’s sending good legislation to the floor.

“One of those bills is the energy security and water infrastructure appropriations measure before us. This legislation is important for American energy, for American waterways and ports, and for American commerce and safety.

“It will also maintain our nuclear deterrence posture by ensuring nuclear stockpile readiness, which is important for national security.

“I’d like to recognize the bill managers for their diligent work to bring this legislation to the floor for consideration. I’d also like to recognize the leadership of the Appropriations Committee for its work to get this process moving.

“By returning to regular order, we’ve opened up the process and empowered Senators — both those who sit on the Appropriations Committee and those who do not — to have more of a say in appropriations legislation.

“That’s important because these funding bills can affect each of our states.

“The progress we’ve seen already is encouraging. It shows what’s possible when the Senate gets back to a productive legislative process.”

Back to Work: Republican-Led Senate Kicks Off Week with Bipartisan Bill

‘The energy security and water infrastructure funding legislation before us is the result of many hours of hard work and research. It will reduce wasteful spending. It will bolster national security…it represents yet another example of what’s possible in a Senate that’s back to work.’

April 25, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Senate consideration of appropriations bills:

“The top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee recently said that the energy security and water infrastructure funding legislation before us marks an ‘excellent kickoff’ to the appropriations process.

“‘This is the first bill of the Appropriations Committee to come to the floor,’ she said, and ‘it signals that we are ready to do regular order.’

“I share Senator Mikulski’s sentiment here. It’s been good to see colleagues across the aisle express an interest in working cooperatively this appropriations season, because we know continued cooperation will be essential to a successful appropriations process.

“We’ve seen plenty of positive signs in the Appropriations Committee already. The committee has already approved a third of the 12 funding bills on a bipartisan basis. With continued cooperation we’ll have an opportunity to pass the first of these bills on the floor this week.

“The energy security and water infrastructure funding legislation before us is the result of many hours of hard work and research. It will reduce wasteful spending. It will bolster national security. And — by advancing priorities like public safety, waterways infrastructure, economic development, and energy innovation — it will impact all 50 of our states.

“This ‘excellent kickoff’ to the appropriations season enjoys bipartisan support, it advanced out of committee by a unanimous vote, and it represents yet another example of what’s possible in a Senate that’s back to work.

“I thank Subcommittee Chairman Alexander for working with Ranking Member Feinstein to move this important bill out of committee. Let’s continue our work today to get it one step closer to passage.”

After Passage of Bipartisan Energy Legislation, Senate Begins Consideration of Appropriations Bills

April 21, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate action on the bipartisan Energy Policy Modernization Act and the Senate’s legislative and appropriations process being restored under Republican leadership:

“This week we’ve seen what can be accomplished on behalf of the American people with a Senate that’s back to work under the Republican majority. We just passed two broad, bipartisan bills aimed at protecting consumers and modernizing our energy policies, respectively — and both bills take important steps to bolster national security too.

“The passage of the Energy Policy Modernization Act yesterday marks the first broad energy legislation to move through the Senate since the Bush Administration. In the years since that time, our country ‘has gone from fearing oil and gas shortages to becoming the world’s leading producer of both fuels,’ as one paper put it.

“So it’s clear that this energy legislation is much-needed when it comes to bringing our aging infrastructure and policies in line with current — and future — demands.

“I want to thank the Energy Committee Chair, Senator Murkowski, and the Ranking Member, Senator Cantwell, for working to advance this bill.

“It’s important for our country. It will help Americans save more energy, produce more energy, and pay less for energy. And, to paraphrase Senator Murkowski, it’s another example of how the Senate is back to work.

“The Republican-led Senate has made important strides to get the legislative process functioning again. We know the impact that can have on restoring the appropriations process. We also know that cooperation is going to be important as we move forward.

“So it was good to see our Democratic colleagues recently pledge cooperation in the appropriations process, writing that this ‘is a win-win opportunity and we should seize it together.’

“I’ve been pleased to see the headway that’s already been made by the Appropriations Committee. The committee has held dozens of hearings so far and, later this morning, members will mark up two more of the 12 funding bills — adding to the two the committee already reported out unanimously. We’ll continue floor consideration of one of those unanimously endorsed measures today: the energy security and water infrastructure funding bill.

“The legislation before us includes provisions that impact each of our states. It will support our waterway infrastructure, boost energy innovation, and promote American competitiveness. It will strengthen national security and support our nuclear security program. It will also reduce wasteful spending.

“I appreciate the leadership of Senators Alexander and Feinstein on this bill and recognize the hard work and research that have gone into it. I also appreciate the Appropriations Chairman, Senator Cochran, for working with Senator Mikulski to move these appropriations bills through committee and to the floor.

“This is a responsible, bipartisan bill. It invests in the future of American energy and waterways. It will help keep our country safe. Let’s continue working today to advance it.”

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