ms. murray. ms. murray: i worked very hard to make sure the federal government meets its moral and legal obligations to clean up hanniford as well as similar sites throughout the couldn't thrism department of energy has the responsibility to uphold the legacy responsibilities of our federal government. these sites are the result of more than 50 years nuclear weapon research development and production from the manhattan project in world war ii. i applaud the increase in the budget request for $5.8 billion but it's $200 million less than last year's budget request and still $43 million below what congress appropriated in f.y. 2015 omnibus. funding will be cut at nine of the 16 nuclear waste cleanup sites. i have been crystal clear with my expectation that the federal government meet its milestones at knew cheer waste sites in our country. and the administration under both democratic and republican control has failed to meet that threshold. this is of great importance to me as well as other senators who

ms. murray. mr. wyden. ms. stabenow. esther white house. mr. warner. mr. merkley. ms. baldwin. mr. kane. mr. king. mr. chairman. chairman enzi: aye. clerk: mr. chairman, the yeas a re 15, the nays are eight. chairman enzi: that amendment has been adopted. >> the side-by-side includes creased job opportunities increase welfare programs, and potential -- protection for benefit cuts. this is the same amendment as senator sessions' amendment but understanding that there are some important programs, such as the earned income tax credit, ssi, funding for cervical cancer protection, meals on wheels, and many other programs. what i do not want to see is those programs cut. of course we can make changes but it is important that we do not cut programs for the most vulnerable people in this country. sen. sessions: i understand what senator sanders is suggesting. as is so often the case, i think it is excessive commitment to the status quo. we really need to consider some of these programs should be consolidated even eliminated and others increased. if we do that in a creative way i believe we

ms. murray, no. mr. wyden. ms. stabenow, mr. whitehouse. mr. kane, mr. king. mr. chairman. senator enzi: yes. the clerk: the yeas are 12 and the nays are 10. senator enzi: the amendment has failed. the next one -- the amendment is passed. the amendment is passed. sorry. next one is the kaine amendment. senator: this is an amendment to promote c.t.e. education co-sponsored by senators baldwin and portman. senator enzi: any opposition, seeing none. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. . it is passed. next the ayotte amendment and there is a democrat side-by-side on this one. has the side-by-side been distributed? senator: can i move my vote after. we are awaiting a ruling by the parliamentarian. can i move my vote until the end? senator enzi: there is a side-by-side which has been handed out already. two minutes of debate each side? senator: my amendment creates a neutral deficit reserve fund to america's treasures and grow our rural economies in a balanced way. the side-by-side ties the well-being of rural economist and our spectacular treasures we reveer to unsustaini