After more than three years, the Democrat-controlled Senate may bring forth a formal budget under the direction of its newly appointed Budget Committee Chairman, Sen. Patty Murray.
Republicans have criticized Democrats for years for that party’s failure to mark up an official budget or bring one to the full floor for vote.
In a Wednesday statement, Mrs. Murray, of Washington, vowed a budget will go forth — but also chastised Republicans and demanded they stop dealing over the debt limit.
“If Republicans are truly interested in moving this debate back into the Budget Committees and back to regular order, then they ought to actually deliver on that rhetoric,” she said in her press statement. “That means putting a stop to the debt limit hostage-taking, ending the constant brinkmanship, and truly engaging in an honest effort to work with us.”
Mrs. Murray’s promise follows a similar vow from Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, over the weekend. Mrs. Murray’s statement, however, carries more weight as she heads the key committee in charge of moving the budget to the Senate floor.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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