Government Funding

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, now on another matter, yesterday the House passed a government funding resolution on a bipartisan basis. It will now make its way through the Senate.

A few days ago, when House Democrats released their first draft, Republicans immediately spoke out about a huge omission. It intentionally neglected the needs of farm country and rural America. They tried to use our Nation's farmers and ranchers as a bargaining chip.

Fortunately, thanks to the leadership of our colleague Senator Ernst, along with Senators Hoeven, Boozman, and many other Republican colleagues, we made it clear right away that we would not let Democrats leave farmers behind.

The Commodity Credit Corporation is an essential source of funding for our farmers. For years it has been routinely refilled with bipartisan support, but this year Speaker Pelosi tried to take Middle America hostage for unrelated political brinksmanship.

I am grateful to Senator Ernst and everyone who fought hard to fix the Democrats' bill. Republicans kept the Speaker of the House from adding insult to injury in such a challenging year for rural America.

I know all Members will carefully review the continuing resolution sent over by the House. I am optimistic that, with bipartisan cooperation, we will be able to make law well before the government funding deadline at the end of this month.

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