Chairman Murray Calls on Senate Republicans to Stop Delaying Budget Debate

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray spoke on the Senate floor to call on Senate Republicans to stop delaying the start of the debate on the Senate Budget Resolution that passed the Budget Committee last week. Murray was followed on the floor by other members of Senate Democratic Leadership and members of the caucus.

Formal debate on the budget resolution cannot begin until Republicans agree to allow the Senate to proceed to passage of the Continuing Resolution (CR) or give consent to allow time spent before final passage of the CR to be used for debate on the budget resolution.

Key excerpts from Murray’s speech:

“I am here because I am so disappointed that we cannot start this debate and move to the process—offer amendments, get this going.”

“I’m kind of surprised that we’re here running the clock on a Continuing Resolution. No one out here, no one talking. And we’re twiddling our thumbs waiting for the clock to run out on time.”

“…we could be here debating our budget, moving forward, having the debate the Republicans called on us to have and moving it forward.”

“We are confident that when we lay out our balanced and responsible approach, and the House lays out their extreme approach that actually doubles down on the failed and rejected policies of the past, the contrast is going to be clear. And the American people will continue standing with us as we work towards a balanced and bipartisan deal.”

“Republicans have spent the last two years attacking us Democrats for ‘not bringing up a budget resolution….’”

“We’re here, we’re ready to go. We want to have this discussion…We’re ready to debate. I would hope that our Republican colleagues would say, yes, it’s time to debate…Let’s move this forward and let’s get the budget process going. I’m ready as chair of the Budget Committee. I know we as Democrats are ready to go.”

The full text of Murray’s remarks follow:

“Madam President, Republicans have spent the last two years attacking us Democrats for ‘not bringing up a budget resolution here in the Senate.’ Despite the fact, I would add, that we had a Budget Control Act that took the place of the budget and the fact that actually those attacks aren’t very persuasive to the American people.

“But nonetheless, Republicans invested a lot of time and energy pushing for a budget, for a very, very long time. They couldn’t agree amongst themselves on a lot of things but they at least agree the Senate should pass a budget.

“Well, Madam President, the Senate Budget Committee has now passed a pro-growth budget resolution out of the Committee that is strongly supported by every Democrat and every Independent on the committee from the Moderates to the Progressives. It takes a balanced approach that put jobs and the economy first. It tackles our deficit and our debt responsibly and it keeps the promises that we’ve all made to our seniors and our families and our communities.

“Madam President, Democrats know we’re on the right side of this issue when it comes to policy. We know we are on the right side when it comes to what the American people want. We know our budget resolution reflects the values and priorities of the vast majority of the American people. And we are looking forward to a debate.

“We are confident that when we lay out our balanced and responsible approach, and the House lays out their extreme approach that actually doubles down on the failed and rejected policies of the past, the contrast is going to be clear. And the American people will continue standing with us as we work towards a balanced and bipartisan deal.

“So, why am I here? I am here because I am so disappointed that we cannot start this debate and move to the process—offer amendments, get this going.

“Madam President, this is an issue the American people want to hear about. They deserve to hear about. And it’s one that Senators should be able to come to the floor, debate, offer amendments on. And based on what I’ve heard from Republicans over the last two years, I thought they wanted this debate too.

“So I’m kind of surprised that we’re here running the clock on a Continuing Resolution. No one out here, no one talking. And we’re twiddling our thumbs waiting for the clock to run out on time.

“Madam President, we could be here debating our budget, moving forward, having the debate the Republicans called on us to have and moving it forward.

“We could do it tonight and tomorrow or Thursday and probably be done Thursday or Friday. But because of this delay, now we get to wait and watch the time run out until Thursday night, and we will be here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday doing this debate.

“And I am sure that our Republicans will say, well, we should be doing this during the week when everybody is watching. We’re here, we’re ready to go. We want to have this discussion.

“I want to hear what they want to a budget and move it out. But we are here waiting. We’re ready to debate. I would hope that our Republican colleagues would say, yes, it’s time to debate. Let’s move this budget forward. 

“We’ve been talking about it forever. Let’s move this forward and let’s get the budget process going. I’m ready as chair of the Budget Committee. I know we as Democrats are ready to go.   Let’s yield back the time on this. Everyone knows what the end   is going to be. Let’s get it done.

“Let’s get to moving, and let’s have debate that’s critically important to every family, every community and the future of our country. Thank you, Madam President. I yield the floor.”