From the Senate Floor, Collins Announces Senate Consideration of Bipartisan Appropriations Package

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor today announcing the commencement of Senate votes on amendments to the first three appropriations bills: the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.  All three bipartisan bills passed the Committee unanimously this summer.

A transcript of Senator Collins’ remarks follows:

“Mr. President, let me start by saying that I am so pleased that we are finally, finally voting on amendments to the three-bill package that Senator Murray and I, as well as the terrific members of our Appropriations Committee, have worked very hard to bring before the Senate.  This has been the result of many weeks — far too many weeks — of negotiations, and would not have happened without the leadership of Chair Murray.  I also want to thank Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, our Republican Whip John Thune, and the chairs and ranking members of the three subcommittees — Senator Heinrich and Hoeven, Senator Murray and Boozman, Senator Schatz and Senator Hyde-Smith — for their hard work.

“These are bills that really make a difference to the American people.  As our colleagues know, we are considering the Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and related agencies bill, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill, and also the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and related agencies bill.

“So, we finally are making progress and I look forward to the robust — no one could say that this is not a robust amendment process.  So again, my thanks to Chair Murray.  It's been a great pleasure to work with her.”

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