Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, all week, Democrats have made clear that there is a simple, commonsense path forward.

First, pass these five critical funding bills that we all overwhelmingly agree on and prevent a serious shutdown. Secondly, split off the DHS bill so we can negotiate reforms to rein in ICE and the CBP. It is what the vast majority of Americans want Congress to do.

It is good news that we have a deal to fund these key programs that families count on while work continues on serious DHS accountability over the next 2 weeks. It could not be more clear that ICE and the CBP are out of control and that we cannot just wait for the same President who caused this mess to address it.

Congress cannot pass a Homeland Security bill until real restraints are in place. It is that simple.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for this package. Let's pay our troops, fund clinical trials right now, work to rein in DHS, and end the chaos that is happening on America's streets.
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Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, this amendment would strike funding for one Member's project simply because the Senator offering the amendment doesn't like the project. That is not how this process should work. Every Senator has the opportunity to submit requests to have projects in their State funded in our appropriations bills.

Those requests are vetted for compliance with critical guardrails, and Senators must attest they have no financial stake in the project. If a project meets that criteria, it is eligible for funding. And if eligible projects are funded in a bill, we need to respect each Senator's ability to fund the projects that are important to them and their State. Full stop.

This amendment completely overrules another Senator on a project they have secured funding for and threatens to really derail a carefully negotiated bill. Motion to Table

Mr. President, I oppose this amendment. Vote on Motion

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