WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Committee on Appropriations today cleared its final appropriations measure, marking the first time since 2009 that all 12 appropriations bills have been approved by the full committee.

 

Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised the committee’s work to make all 12 measures available for consideration by the full Senate.

 

“The Appropriations Committee took to heart the commitment that the new Congress would get back to work.  For the first time in six years, we’ve fulfilled a basic responsibility by moving 12 bills through the committee.  Senators should have a chance to debate these bills one at a time, offer amendments and advocate for issues that are important to their constituents,” Cochran said.  “Our bills reflect thoughtful, responsible, and frequently bipartisan decisions about prioritizing funding to improve the operation of the government and, where necessary, rein in executive overreach.  The bills deserve to be considered by the Senate and enacted into law.”

 

“Chairman Cochran has done a masterful job getting all 12 appropriations bills through committee.  These bills maintain the bipartisan fiscal discipline agreed to in the Budget Control Act while still providing the funding the President requested for defense.  They also take important steps toward rolling back excessive regulatory burdens that hold back our economy.  Nearly every one of these appropriations bills enjoyed bipartisan support in committee, which is why it’s so disappointing to see Democrats now working to filibuster them on the Senate floor as part of some ‘Filibuster Summer’ game designed to extract a few more dollars for Washington bureaucrats.  The new Senate is finally getting the appropriations process back on track, so Senate Democrats shouldn’t stand in the way of that progress by holding funding for the troops hostage for unrelated political demands,” McConnell said.

 

The committee-reported bills passed by a cumulative total of 277-83.  Since January, the committee conducted numerous meetings and briefings, 56 oversight hearings, and seven full committee markups.

 

The Defense Appropriations bill, which includes funding requested by the President for equipment and training, active-duty military pay and combatting ISIS, was filibustered by Senate Democrats on June 18.  The minority has pledged to continue to block debate on all funding measures unless Congress agrees to increase federal spending.