WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) delivered the following remarks on why he voted against Senate Democrats’ budget, which will enable them to bypass the normal 60 vote requirement and pass a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill filled with unrelated spending with only Democrat votes. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“Regardless of politics, we all realize this virus is taking a devastating toll on the American people, and we need to remain committed to providing relief.”
“That common goal has led to five bipartisan relief packages that have represented the best ideas of each party.”
“Less than 24 hours after the bipartisan meeting at the White House, and just 15 days after the President’s inauguration, the Majority Leader laid the foundation to pass President Biden’s massive $1.9 trillion package with zero Republican votes.”
“Rather than take the normal legislative process, which was used for each of the bipartisan bills that have previously passed, the Democratic Leader is preparing to use the budget reconciliation process to pass this controversial legislation.”
“And please note, we passed a $900 billion bill in December and only 20% of the money that we appropriated is even out the door yet.”
“This is a time to try to parse where the needs are and to target those resources to the people who need it.”
“This reconciliation process is designed not to encourage bipartisanship, not to encourage negotiation, not to get bipartisan buy-in.”
“What do our Democratic colleagues want to do? They want to continue to shovel money out the door.”
“Congress has passed five overwhelmingly bipartisan COVID-19 bills, last year. We have overcome disagreements before, and I have no doubt we could, if we were to try to do so, again.”