Senators Murray and Collins Issue Statement After First Full Committee Markup in Two Years, Commit to Senate’s Voice Being Heard in Appropriations Process

Washington, D.C. — Senate Appropriators voted unanimously today to advance the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill and the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill. U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, issued the following statement on the first Senate Appropriations full committee markup in two years:

“Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee held its first markup in two years and advanced two critical bills unanimously—bipartisan legislation that supports our veterans and our farmers, protects American consumers, provides funding for essential military construction, and much more,” said Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins. “We are determined to continue working together in a bipartisan manner to craft serious funding bills that can be signed into law. Keeping the Senate appropriations process moving full steam ahead and in a bipartisan way is critical. Our nation absolutely must be able to count on a dependable appropriations process as we grapple with urgent challenges at home and abroad. We are both committed to ensuring that the voice of the Senate is heard through the appropriations process and expect a busy summer of markups and continued bipartisan deliberation.”

This Senate Appropriations Committee markup was the first ever led by two women in the roles of Chair and Vice Chair.

Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins also announced the Committee will next meet on Thursday, July 13th to mark up the Legislative Branch; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; and Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bills.

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