Ricketts on Chuck Schumer’s Broken Appropriations Process: “Americans Deserve So Much Better”

November 15, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) again slammed Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for refusing to schedule votes on all 12 appropriations bills before the latest government funding deadline. Ricketts has repeatedly called on Schumer to keep the Senate in session five days a week until the appropriations process is completed. Ricketts made the comments while on a conference call with Nebraska media.

“Most people work Monday thru Friday – and even on weekends to get the job done,” Ricketts said. “The Senate should do the same. We should be debating legislation, voting on amendments, and passing the 12 bills needed to fund the government and secure our border. Instead, Schumer chose to recess early or start voting late – week after week after week. I led several of my colleagues in asking him to cancel our week-long October state work period like the House did. Schumer refused. Of the 307 roll call votes in the Senate this year, 65% of those votes have been on nominations.

“When I was Governor of Nebraska, I told our State Senators the budget was our most important job. Funding the government is Congress’ job,” Ricketts continued. “And yet, the Senate has only passed 25% of the 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. It was a so-called “mini-bus” that basically just crams 3 of those 12 bills into one – 3 of the 12 appropriations bills. Most people view 25% as a failing grade.”

“It’s been 27 years since Washington completed the appropriations process the way we’re supposed to,” Ricketts added. “1996 was the last time Congress passed all twelve appropriations bills and the President signed them into law. The bill we’re considering now to avert yet another shutdown faceoff would fund the government through January 19. But Americans deserve so much better than that.”

Watch the video HERE.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: “As a country, we’re facing real challenges right now. 

“We have a humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border. 

“Reckless spending by President Biden has pushed our nation’s debt to almost $34 trillion dollars. At around $256,000 per household, that’s like a second mortgage for homeowners in Nebraska. 

“And yet once again, Congress finds ourselves running the clock days away from a government funding deadline.

“As I said when we were in this position just 7 weeks ago, it doesn’t have to be this way. We should have an open government and a closed border.

“As many may know, Congress should pass 12 appropriations bills every year to keep the government open. For the first time in five years, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed out all 12 appropriations bills in June and July.

“When we averted the last shutdown in September, I called on Chuck Schumer, the Democrat Majority Leader in the Senate, to keep the Senate in session Monday through Friday until all 12 appropriations bills are passed. 

“Most people work Monday thru Friday – and even on weekends to get the job done. The Senate should do the same. 

We should be debating legislation, voting on amendments, and passing the 12 bills needed to fund the government and secure our border.

“Instead, Schumer chose to recess early or start voting late – week after week after week. I led several of my colleagues in asking him to cancel our week-long October state work period like the House did.Schumer refused. 

“Of the 307 roll call votes in the Senate this year, 65% of those votes have been on nominations.

“When I was Governor of Nebraska, I told our State Senators the budget was our most important job.Funding the government is Congress’ job. 

“And yet, the Senate has only passed 25% of the 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. It was a so-called “mini-bus” that basically just crams 3 of those 12 bills into one – 3 of the 12 appropriations bills. Most people view 25% as a failing grade. 

“Now, the House may have their own problems, but at least they got seven bills passed, and that’s 58% of their appropriations work done. 

“It’s been 27 years since Washington completed the appropriations process the way we’re supposed to.1996 was the last time Congress passed all twelve appropriations bills and the President signed them into law. 

“The bill we’re considering now to avert yet another shutdown faceoff would fund the government through January 19. But Americans deserve so much better than that. 

“Real grit requires showing up to work until the work gets done. Nebraskans get this, but too many in Washington don’t. 

I’ll close by saying this: I am ready to work. I’ll vote all day, every day if that’s what it takes to get the job done for Nebraskans.”