Austin News

September 9, 2024

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) raised concerns today on the Senate floor regarding several critical deadlines in September, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), government funding, and a Farm Bill. He criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for delaying these legislative priorities.

“This Democrat Senate is on a collision course with itself, and the Republicans have been ringing the alarm bell for months,” said Sen. Cornyn.

He emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues within the limited time available. “The Senate will be in session just 11 more days—11 more days—in September, and we face an impossible to-do list.”

Sen. Cornyn highlighted the importance of prioritizing the Defense Authorization Bill. “The Defense Authorization Bill deserves to be the number one priority in this chamber, as it has been for more than six decades, and it needs to come to the floor as soon as possible. Anything less is an affront to the men and women who put their lives on the line for our safety, both here at home and abroad.”

Regarding government funding, he noted, “We need to pass a government funding bill before the end of the month. This is part of the predictable shutdown drama that seems to eat up so much time here in Washington, D.C., unnecessarily.”

Sen. Cornyn also mentioned an upcoming deadline related to agricultural legislation. “We have a looming deadline of September 30 to pass the Farm Bill.”

Reflecting on his recent visit with Senator Boozman to Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, he stated: “Ranking member [Senator] Boozman joined me in the Rio Grande Valley… I was glad to travel with him to McAllen and Mission, Texas. We listened to farmers and ranchers about the importance of passing a timely and strong Farm Bill.”

He criticized what he described as congressional inefficiency under Democratic leadership: “The Democratic-led Congress has been one of inaction. We’ve wasted an enormous amount of time turning what should be a marathon into an unnecessary sprint.”

Concluding his remarks with a call for change in leadership, Sen. Cornyn said: “Leaving this work until the end of the year and taking yet another break for October so Democrats can campaign is not a way to govern. The American people look to Washington and particularly United States Congress, and they see dysfunction.”

“I hope as a result they will choose new management come November.”