12.17.13

Sessions Comments On Reid Majority Blocking Amendments To Budget Deal

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement tonight after the Senate voted 46-54 not to table Reid’s amendments that ‘filled the tree’ in order to allow actual amendments to the Ryan-Murray budget deal:

"Today, Reid and his majority quashed the ability of any Senator to offeramendments to the spending deal that emerged from the House. They voted to undermine their own ability as Senators to offer amendments and do legislative work in the clear light of day.  They voted to block the Senate from working to improve this tax-and-spend deal. Finally, by blocking my amendment, they voted to cut pensions for wounded warriors. Senators in this chamber have many valid ideas for replacing these pension cuts, including my proposal to close the tax welfare loophole for illegal filers, and all deserved a fair and open hearing. But they were denied."

NOTE: To view additional information about Sessions’ amendment, please click here.