E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 104 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 142 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1996 No. 2 House of Representatives

The House met at 10 a.m. and was The SPEAKER pro tempore. The like every American family. It means called to order by the Speaker pro tem- question is on the Chair’s approval of our children will inherit the American pore [Mr. LAHOOD]. the Journal. dream—not the American debt. It f The question was taken; and the forces our Government to stop spend- Speaker pro tempore announced that ing money it does not have. DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER the ayes appeared to have it. Balancing the budget is also about a PRO TEMPORE Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I object better future. It means lower interest The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- to the vote on the ground that a rates and faster economic growth. It fore the House the following commu- quorum is not present and make the means 4.25 million more new jobs over nication from the Speaker: point of order that a quorum is not the next 10 years and a 16.1-percent in- WASHINGTON, DC, present. crease in per capita incomes. A bal- January 4, 1996. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- anced budget is about $37,000 in savings I hereby designate the Honorable RAY ant to the provisions of clause 5 of rule on an average 30-year mortgage on a LAHOOD to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day. I, further proceedings on this question $75,000 home. It means a solvent Medi- NEWT GINGRICH, are postponed. care system with increased spending Speaker of the House of Representatives. The point of no quorum is considered per beneficiary. But probably most im- f withdrawn. portant of all, a balanced budget is f about saving future generations from PRAYER paying lifetime tax rates in excess of 80 The Chaplain, Rev. James David PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE percent. Ford, D.D., offered the following pray- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the Mr. Clinton needs to know we will er: gentleman from Colorado [Mr. HEFLEY] settle for nothing less than a balanced We are thankful, O gracious God, for come forward and lead the House in the budget. No more excuses. No more all the wonderful gifts that have come Pledge of Allegiance. Washington gimmicks. It is time to do from Your hand that You have given to Mr. HEFLEY led the Pledge of Alle- the right thing for our children’s fu- us and to every person. Remind us that giance as follows: ture. Your blessings and countenance are not only on us personally, but bless I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the f United States of America, and to the Repub- Your people from every background or lic for which it stands, one nation under God, GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN position or opinion. So we pray, al- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. mighty God, that we will be gracious of (Mr. SCHUMER asked and was given f others, hear their words, respect their permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- concerns, and always realize that Your ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER marks.) grace is with each person in Your PRO TEMPORE Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, this is whole creation. May Your loving spirit, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The O God, that is new every morning, be day 20 of the Government shutdown Chair announces that there will be fif- and it is beginning to bite. Not simply with us this day and every day, we teen 1-minutes on each side. pray. Amen. Federal employees but small business f people who cannot get export licenses, f other business people who want per- THE JOURNAL BALANCING THE BUDGET: WHAT’S mits so they can put toxic waste aside IT ALL ABOUT? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The and cannot and are closing down their Chair has examined the Journal of the (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given businesses. Social Security recipients last day’s proceedings and announces permission to address the House for 1 who want to sign up for Social Secu- to the House his approval thereof. minute.) rity the first time who cannot. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, balancing It is affecting average Americans. nal stands approved. the budget: What is it all about? Bal- Now we hear the most Orwellian of Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant ancing the Federal budget is about bet- doublespeak from the other side. They to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on ter government. It is about being right blame President Clinton for this be- agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of and responsible. It forces the Govern- cause of vetoing some bills that they the Journal. ment to live within its means—just do not like.

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

H 93 H 94 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Well, Presidents have vetoed bills 3 weeks until January 23 and the Gov- servant has been targeted, smeared, throughout history, Washington, Lin- ernment would be shut down that en- and ultimately prosecuted, all the news coln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt. But tire time. I say no to that motion to suggested, as part of a political cover- what is different this time is not that recess. Let us stay here and let us get up designed to justify the Travelgate the President vetoes bills but that this this Government going again. firings and the transfer of White House is the first Congress and only one f business to political cronies. Thank House of this Congress because Senator God for the jury system which acquit- REPUBLICANS DO NOT HOLD THE DOLE is not going along that says, if ted Billy Dale in just 2 hours. But KEYS the President does not sign every bill chilling facts continue to emerge. we pass, we are shutting down the Gov- (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was Today the AP reports a newly re- ernment. That is a disgrace. It is a dis- given permission to address the House leased memo in which a high adminis- grace to all Americans, particularly for 1 minute and to revise and extend tration official explained the origins of those affected by this horrible shut- his remarks.) this Orwellian case by saying, and I down. Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, the quote, ‘‘We knew that there would be f President seems to think that House hell to pay if we failed to take swift Republicans are keeping the Govern- and decisive action in conformity with SPEAKING OF DOUBLESPEAK ment shut down. I must say, as a House the First Lady’s wishes.’’ That is (Mr. HAYWORTH asked and was Republican that is news to me. shocking, and I will tell my colleagues, given permission to address the House You see the Government’s front door regardless of how powerful the person for 1 minute and to revise and extend has got a big old deadbolt on it. Repub- who ordered it, no matter how high in his remarks.) licans managed to open the door when the Clinton administration, if Federal Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, we passed the Balanced Budget Act of law enforcement agencies were turned speaking of Orwellian doublespeak, to 1995. President Clinton slammed the against a career public servant as part hear my friends from New York talk door shut and locked it tight when he of a political coverup, there ought to about Washington and Jefferson and vetoed the Balanced Budget Act. be, and I quote, ‘‘hell to pay’’ on the Lincoln and mention the current occu- Now, Mr. Speaker, here is my part of all those responsible. pant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in keychain. None of my keys will open f the same breath is truly astounding. the Government. I checked around My colleagues, once you get past the with some of my colleagues. None of REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT politics of victimization, the debate is their keys will open the Government SHUTDOWN about this: Why is $12 trillion over the either. As it turns out, when the Presi- (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was next 7 years not enough? Why should dent vetoed the Balanced Budget Act, given permission to address the House the children being born today pay over he did not just shut the door, he for 1 minute and to revise and extend $185,000 in interest on the debt if we changed the lock. his remarks.) fail to act? My friend from New York Mr. Speaker, we do not hold the Mr. RICHARDSON. Republicans, this indicts this majority in Congress be- keys. The President does. There is only is your Government shutdown, and it is cause he would rather go back to busi- one way the Government is going to now item No. 11 of the Contract With ness as usual, to the 40 years that gave open back up, and that is when the America. It is your baby and you are us this mind-boggling debt, to just con- President of the United States agrees going to have to defend it. Good luck. tinuing on with spend and spend and to a plan that balances the budget in 7 It is unconscionable to go again on tax and spend some more. years and uses honest numbers. recess without reopening the Govern- Mr. Speaker, the American people de- f ment. What you are forgetting is that serve better. I am proud to stand up for you are not just hurting Federal em- the people. KUWAIT AND CHINA ployees. You are hurting average f (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was Americans, small businesses. Do not given permission to address the House hide behind the balanced budget rhet- THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, for 1 minute and to revise and extend oric. Who is President Clinton expected DAY 20 his remarks.) to negotiate with? Senator DOLE, who (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, in is being shellacked already by the right permission to address the House for 1 1991, America went to war. America wing? Senate Republicans who appear minute.) went to the front lines to free Kuwait to be responsible? Or GINGRICH and Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, today is from Iraqi occupation. America spent House Republicans who want a hard day 20 of the Government shutdown. over $75 billion. American troops died line? The fault lies entirely with the House in the gulf. American troops still suffer Mr. Speaker, we cannot negotiate Republican leadership. from that war disease. with five Republican parties. Repub- Yesterday there was an opportunity After all that, ladies and gentlemen, licans, get your act together. This in- or there would have been an oppor- let us talk some business. Kuwait just stitution is not looking good these tunity because the Senate sent over a awarded China, that is right, China, a days. We are all going to have to suffer continuing resolution to allow the Gov- $391 million contract to build two oil unless we get these games stopped. ernment to operate once again. But gathering projects. Now, if that is not f Speaker GINGRICH and the House Re- enough to change the oil filter, folks, publican leadership would not bring Kuwait did not even consider American GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE the resolution up. There are 198 Demo- bids. Think about it. After good old REOPENED crats on our side that are prepared to Uncle Sam saved their assets, put our (Mr. WOLF asked and was given per- vote to keep the Government operat- young people’s lives on the lines, mission to address the House for 1 ing. We only need 20 Republicans in quoting news reports, Kuwait did not minute and to revise and extend his re- order to accomplish the goal of reach- even consider American bids. Beam me marks.) ing 218 and opening up this Govern- up. With a foreign policy like this, it is Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I under- ment again. a wonder we have any budget to bal- stand there is a resolution to allow the My understanding is that in the ance. Congress to recess until January 23. I House Republican conference there are f personally think we should reopen the enough votes to do that. But the Government, but under no cir- Speaker, Speaker GINGRICH, and the TRAVELGATE cumstances should the Congress leave House Republican leadership will not (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given town while the Government is shut allow a vote to come to the floor. In- permission to address the House for 1 down. The soldiers in Bosnia are not stead, we understand today they want minute.) leaving Bosnia. to bring up a resolution that would Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, for 2 long And do not clap, because I do not allow them to recess this House for 2 or years, Mr. Speaker, a career public agree with you on the other side of the January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 95 aisle, too. You all have been partisan rates, which means cheaper car loans, found a way to protect their spending and politicizing this place. mortgages, and student loans. Pretty while adding new taxes and new debt to The soldiers in Bosnia are not leav- scary stuff. the American people. As a result we ing. The cancer researchers are not I want to cut taxes for working fami- have a $5 trillion debt. We spend $200 leaving. The FBI agents are not leav- lies and I want to reduce capital gains billion a year on interest just to keep ing. I personally believe, and we all tax to create more jobs. Yes, I know it that debt alive. only answer to our constituents and to will mean more take home pay for That is what these folks are really our conscience, but I believe it would working Americans and better jobs. for. Mr. Speaker, the new majority is disgrace the Congress for us to leave Well, I guess that is extreme if my col- here to say no. The President said the while the Government is shut down. leagues are big government liberals. House Republicans are unwilling to One other thing to my side, this is I have been in Washington for an en- compromise. Well, I want to tell my not a leadership vote. This is a con- tire year, and am still being overcome colleagues I am here to balance the science vote. And my conscience is not by commonsense, practical, and honest budget, and I believe that we have com- for sale. Congress should not leave solutions to our Nation’s problems. I promised for 26 years. We have added while the Government is shut down. guess in Washington that is pretty ex- the spending. We have compromised You all ought to stop being so par- treme. Mr. Speaker, the American peo- the business of big Government. We are tisan, because when we can get to- ple expect us to balance the budget and not going to do it anymore. gether in the spirit of reconciliation, do the right thing for our children’s fu- we can solve these problems. Each side ture. f eggs the other side on and nothing gets f done. WE HAVE OUR PAY SO WE ARE JOIN THE SENATE AND PASS A f GOING TO GO PLAY? CONTINUING RESOLUTION TAX DOLLARS NOT AT WORK (Mrs. SCHROEDER asked and was (Mr. SANDERS asked and was given (Mr. WYNN asked and was given per- given permission to address the House permission to address the House for 1 mission to address the House for 1 for 1 minute and to revise and extend minute.) minute and to revise and extend his re- her remarks.) Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, 480,000 marks.) Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, we Federal employees are working with- Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, at the State have heard excuse, after excuse, after out pay, a form of involuntary ser- and local level, when you pass a road- excuse. Let us put the record straight. vitude; 280,000 Federal employees are way, there is a big sign that says your Let us look at facts, not rhetoric. not working, and they will be paid. Vir- tax dollars at work. Here in Washing- Yesterday we had on this floor the tually all of these workers have mort- ton we ought to have a sign that says, potential of bringing up what the gages to pay, children to feed, and fi- your tax dollars are not at work. Be- House should have brought up, and nancial obligations to meet. cause that is the reality in day 20 of that was the resolution, passed unani- Mr. Speaker, what is happening to the Government shutdown. Let us be mously in the U.S. Senate because the these workers is immoral, is wrong, real. The Republicans are trying to say Senate, with BOB DOLE, said enough is and must be rectified immediately. this is President Clinton’s shutdown. enough. Of course it is. Today the tax- NEWT GINGRICH and the Republican Absolutely wrong. The President could payers will spend another $40 million leadership must not continue to hold not open the Government if he wants for nothing, for nothing because they the House and the American people to. are going to keep this shutdown as we hostage while they push their disas- The Republicans set the agenda. The watch Head Start going into trouble, trous 7-year balanced budget plan. The Republicans are in the majority. The as we watch 240 small businesses a day gentleman from Georgia, Mr. GINGRICH, Republicans have the vote. Let there not be able to get capital loans to keep and the Republican leadership must be no mistake. This is a Republican, a going, and on, and on, and on. join Senator DOLE and the entire Sen- Gingrich Republican government shut- What are the Gingrich Republicans in ate and pass a continuing resolution down. the House saying? They get the Marie now, now to reopen Government. This is not about a balanced budget Antoinette compassion award. They Mr. Speaker, that is what the Amer- in 7 years with real numbers. I am for are saying, ‘‘Let them eat cake. We ican people want, that is what they that. A lot of Democrats are for that. have our pay.’’ need, and that is what this body must There are budgets out there to do this. So, today we are going to vote a re- do. This is about their desire to give tax cess resolution. We are going to go breaks to the wealthy while cutting play. f Medicare and Medicaid. Now I think the American people are Meanwhile our employees, the tax- very angry if they say, ‘‘We have our WHAT IS RADICAL OR EXTREME payers’ employees and their families pay, we’re going to go play.’’ ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET are suffering. Mortgage payments are We cannot open it with keys. We IN 7 YEARS? not being made. Utility bills are not open it with a voting card. They keep being met. Car payments are not being voting ‘‘no.’’ That is what is wrong. (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given made. Clothes for the kids are not f permission to address the House for 1 being met, and contractors are not minute.) I AM HERE TO BALANCE THE Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today being paid. I hope Federal employees BUDGET will come to Washington, to Capitol some in the national media and some (Mr. BAKER of California asked and Hill to share their pain with these Re- for partisan political purposes are ac- was given permission to address the publican revolutionaries. cusing House Republicans of being ex- f House for 1 minute and to revise and tremists or radicals. extend his remarks.) If ever there was an inside the belt- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EXPECT Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speak- way line, this has to be it. US TO BALANCE THE BUDGET er, 1 year ago the 1st day of the 104th Out in the country, the overwhelm- (Mr. GUTKNECHT asked and was Congress began. In short it was the be- ing majority of the people do not see given permission to address the House ginning of the end. It was the begin- anything radical or extreme about try- for 1 minute and to revise and extend ning of the end for the Washington ing to balance the budget in 7 years. his remarks.) business-as-usual crowd, and when the Most people wonder why we cannot Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I am balanced budget is signed into law, the do it sooner than that. a House Republican freshman. The American people will understand why Most families have to balance their President calls me an extremist, right- they held the second Boston tea party budgets every year. wing, radical Republican freshman. here in Washington on November 1994. And then there are the so-called cuts. What am I so extremist about? Well, Oh, in the past, yes, our leaders in James K. Glassman, the Washington I want the Government to balance its Washington have always backed down Post columnist who is not partial to ei- budget, just like my family has to. A from making tough decisions necessary ther party, has called the Republican balanced budget means lower interest to lead this country, and they always budget the ‘‘No-Cut Budget.’’ H 96 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Federal spending has almost tripled Now, let me say that I truly feel using tobacco as a politically correct in the last 15 years. sorry for those who are unfairly caught shipping boy while a member of his ad- One agency that we have supposedly up in the middle of this partial Govern- ministration called for the legalization gutted is the EPA, yet their spending ment shutdown. But, let me also add of cocaine. Now, Mr. Clinton in a des- has doubled in the last 10 years. that I would feel even more shame and perate attempt to salvage his reelec- Very few people out in the country, sorrow if we failed to discipline our tion, is sending young men and women in the private sector, have had their Government. from my district to Bosnia. Many cas- salaries doubled or tripled in the last 10 We must, as a government, as lead- ualties are the likely result, and for or 15 years. ers, think of the future and think also what American national security inter- So when people hear these crocodile of our children. We must balance the est? Mr. Speaker, I have a New Year’s tears coming out of Washington, or budget and restore the ethic of living resolution for Bill Clinton; stop waging they read some misleading report within our means. war against the citizens of the Second about a cut, they should ask what that This 104th Congress has made a dif- District of North Carolina. agency was getting 10 years ago, all ference and we will balance the budget. f years of very low inflation. f LAYOFFS AND GOVERNMENT And they should remember that Fed- SHUTDOWN: JUST THE BEGIN- eral spending goes way up every year GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS NING OF A TWO-PRONGED AT- under the 7-year budget passed by the DUE TACK ON THE AMERICAN MID- House. (Mr. DOGGETT asked and was given DLE CLASS f permission to address the House for 1 minute.) (Ms. MCKINNEY asked and was given EVERY DAY OF SHUTDOWN COSTS Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in permission to address the House for 1 APPROXIMATELY $50 MILLION defense of the freshmen House Repub- minute.) (Mrs. KENNELLY asked and was licans. They have been unfairly ma- Ms. MCKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, AT&T given permission to address the House ligned. Blaming them for this Govern- lays off 40,000 employees at a time for 1 minute and to revise and extend ment shutdown is like blaming the fol- when profits have never been better. her remarks.) lowers of the Pied Piper for being mes- The Republican Congress furloughs Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, on merized by him. They voted with 260,000 Federal workers for no reason day 20 of the longest Government shut- Speaker GINGRICH 92.3 percent of the other than to use them as human down in history, once again yesterday time in 1995. Marching in lockstep with shields in the GOP jihad to provide tax the Republican majority refused to him is the only step that they know. cuts to companies like AT&T. open the Government. This is a cruel, No, we should give credit where credit This, Mr. Speaker, is just the begin- ning of a two-pronged attack on the unnecessary hardship. There is not a is due. Speaker GINGRICH is individ- businessowner in this country who ually as responsible for this shutdown American middle class. Daily, I get would demand that his or her employ- as he was for the cry-baby shutdown in calls from constituents wondering why ees cease working and forgo their pay- November. He could end personally this they cannot go back to work while ne- gotiations over the budget continue. checks indefinitely. There is not a pri- shutdown in 15 minutes this morning if Even BOB DOLE has said enough is vate employee in this country who he would simply put Republican BOB enough and that Federal workers would be expected to tolerate such DOLE’s resolution here for a vote. should return to work. Mr. Speaker, I believe there would be treatment. Yet our Federal workers However, our noble Speaker of the are forced to accept idleness or to work bipartisan support for it from almost House, whose behavior resembles that without pay. every member of the Democratic cau- of the King of Prussia, insists on keep- Meanwhile, taxpayers are also paying cus and some of the Republicans, but ing Federal workers off the job until an unfair price. Who is eliminating instead of letting people of moderation, the President goes along with his at- health and safety violations while of good will, work together to end this tack on Medicare. Mr. Speaker, BOB OSHA is closed? Who is making sure shutdown and the $40 million a day DOLE is right, enough is enough. laid-off workers are going to get the that it costs the American taxpayer, f compensation they paid into? Who is they are asking that the Speaker be looking out for the integrity of worker given extraordinary power to recess REPUBLICANS ARE WINNING AND pension plans? In a word—nobody. this body until January 23. That is sim- ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON But everybody—every taxpayer—will ply fanaticism run amok in this body. THE BALANCED BUDGET be footing the bill for this fiasco. Every f (Mr. CHAMBLISS asked and was day of shutdown costs approximately A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION given permission to address the House $50 million. Talk about Government for 1 minute and to revise and extend waste. (Mr. FUNDERBURK asked and was his remarks.) This situation is wrong. I urge my given permission to address the House Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, it has colleagues, pass legislation to open the for 1 minute.) been an honor and a privilege to serve Government. Mr. FUNDERBURK. Mr. Speaker, I the people of Georgia in Congress this f was prepared for almost anything when past year. I truly feel that we have I came to Washington 1 year ago today, changed the way Congress and Wash- THE 104TH CONGRESS WILL but I never thought that I would spend ington operate. It is no longer business BALANCE THE BUDGET my time defending my constituents in as usual and status quo. This past year (Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland asked an all out war being waged against has been long. It has been arduous, and and was given permission to address them by President Clinton. First, Bill obviously the work continues as we try the House for 1 minute and to revise Clinton decides to send $40 billion to to make sure the President honors his and extend his remarks.) bail out Mexico, while our national commitment to balance the budget in 7 Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. debt stands at $4.9 trillion and of years. But I am proud to say that we Speaker, I entered politics because I course he does not want to balance the are winning. This 104th Congress has thought I could make a difference. As a budget. This is a slap in the face of the totally changed the terms of political Republican, as a proponent of a bal- workers in my district, who have al- debate. It is no longer should we bal- anced budget, and as a Member of the ready lost jobs that moved to Mexico ance the budget, it is now a matter of 104th Congress, I truly feel that I have, as a result of NAFTA. Then the Presi- how soon we get the President to keep in a small way, made a positive dif- dent and his FDA decided to attack the his word to balance the budget. It is no ference. I am very confident that in the small tobacco farmers in my district, longer should we make government coming days America will have a bal- who struggle from year to year just to smaller, it is now a matter of how anced budget—something the American make ends meet. These are the people small. people have demanded for many, many who provide the jobs, pay the taxes, Mr. Speaker, Republicans are making years. and fight our wars. Clinton liberals are a difference. We have stood firm for January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 97 real change, and we will not back out American people or the Federal Gov- next check is coming in. I know, be- of our commitment to do the right ernment? cause 28 years ago I was a single work- thing and balance the budget. f ing mother with three small children, f and I never received the child support HISTORIC HEIGHTS OF that I was owed. Yet, as we head into IF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT IRRESPONSIBILITY the 20th day of the Gingrich Govern- WORKING THEN AT LEAST THE (Mr. HOYER asked and was given ment shutdown, that is the same situa- CONGRESS SHOULD BE permission to address the House for 1 tion that the new majority is forcing (Mr. WISE asked and was given per- minute and to revise and extend his re- on thousands of American families. mission to address the House for 1 marks.) Each day the Gingrich shutdown drags minute.) Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, we have on, approximately 20,000 deadbeat par- Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, this is day 20 risen to historic heights of irrespon- ents get off the hook from paying their of the partial Government shutdown. sibility led by our history professor. child support. Yesterday the Eastern Panhandle So- What a shame. What a shame. A pre- It is one thing being poor, Mr. Speak- cial Service Agency called to tell me vious speaker said that we needed a er, but not knowing when and if a the first Federal worker was facing key to unlock Government, and he did check will come in severely compounds eviction. Another Federal worker told not have the key. He was wrong. the problem. me yesterday that his mortgage com- This is the key given to all 435 of us By continuing to insist on huge Med- pany would not accept even partial by the voters of our districts. It is a icare cuts and education cuts and mas- payment for his mortgage. Today I district question for each of us to be sive special interest tax breaks, the have contacted the West Virginia reasonable and responsible. We had Gingrich Republicans are leaving thou- Bankers Association asking that its that opportunity yesterday and we had sands of American families in limbo, member banks work closely with Fed- a vote, and of all of the Republicans in not knowing when they will receive eral employees facing financial dif- the House, only two, only two of my their next child support check. It is ficulties. They are not unemployed be- colleagues, the gentlewoman from time to end the Gingrich shutdown. cause of any fault of their own, and if, Maryland [Mrs. MORELLA] and the gen- f as the Republican leadership promises, tleman from Virginia [Mr. DAVIS], used CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT they are going to be paid eventually, this card to unlock the lockout of Gov- SHARE BLAME FOR SHUTDOWN they deserve credit forbearance. But ernment employees and Government even that does not help with the check- services to the American public. (Mr. DAVIS asked and was given per- out line at the grocery store, paying My friend from Virginia who spoke mission to address the House for 1 the heating bill, or buying the kids’ previously said, stop making this a minute and to revise and extend his re- marks.) shoes. partisan issue. BOB DOLE is the leading Now there is word that the Gingrich candidate for President in the Repub- Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, this is dis- Republican leadership wants to recess lican Party. He said, this does not graceful. We have Members over here the House for 3 weeks leaving the Gov- make sense. saying it is GINGRICH’s fault, it is the President’s fault. it is all of our faults, ernment partially shut down. Mr. f Speaker, I oppose the Government folks. We have not been able to get our going on another recess while the Gov- MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE SALA- act together. We could pass a continu- ernment is still shut down and tax- RIES WITHHELD DURING SHUT- ing resolution. I favor doing that, and payers pay $40 million a day for serv- DOWN I voted yesterday with my colleagues ices they are not receiving. to do it. But the President could have (Mrs. MORELLA asked and was given signed the appropriation bills, or he I voted yesterday to open the Gov- permission to address the House for 1 ernment up. I am going to vote today could have put a balanced budget on minute and to revise and extend her re- the table and that would end this en- against letting the Congress leave marks.) today. Mr. Speaker, if the Government tirely too. So we all share blame. Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, this is One of the most outrageous proposals is not working, then at least the Con- day 20 of the partial shutdown of Fed- gress should be. I have seen is to recess this Congress eral Government; 760,000 Federal em- until January 23. If we recess the time f ployees did not receive their pay- to move the discharge petition, that b 1030 checks, and 280,000 of them cannot even will take a longer period of time. I report to work, although I hear many think that is wrong. We ought to bring LIBERAL GIVEAWAY of them are trying very hard to do so; this to a vote and let the House vote on (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was they do want to work. it. Congress would go home for nearly given permission to address the House I am a Federal employee. If our Fed- 3 weeks and leave the Government un- for 1 minute and to revise and extend eral employees are not being paid, I am funded. We would be asking Federal his remarks.) having my salary withheld just as they workers to work at their jobs for a pe- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, A are having their salaries withheld. riod of 1 month and not pay them, if well-known news magazine this week They are being held hostage. you can imagine that, while we being called tax cuts a ‘‘giveaway.’’ Also, I am here to work. I am not fur- fully paid would go back to our dis- That illustrates precisely the liberal loughed, and I will stay here to work, tricts. mind-set of some in the media and and I will vote against this House I agree with the gentleman from Vir- most in this administration. recessing until we have our Federal ginia [Mr. WOLF] and the gentlewoman They actually think that the money Government operating fully again. It is from Maryland [Mrs. MORELLA] who of hard-working, lawabiding taxpayers our responsibility; let us rise to it on just talked. While we vacation back belongs to the Government, not to the both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue and home, we would be asking Federal people who earned it. open up Government. workers to work without pay. It is Tax cuts mean American families f wrong, it would be a disgrace, it would will keep more. Liberals in the media send a signal to the American people, CHILD SUPPORT SUFFERS DURING and in the administration want the let them eat cake. I will oppose it, Mr. SHUTDOWN Government to take more and spend Speaker. more. (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given f Americans now are staggering under permission to address the House for 1 the heaviest tax burden in history. And minute and to revise and extend her re- SIGNS OF OUR TIMES the top half of wage earners already marks.) (Mr. GUTIERREZ asked and was pay 95 percent of all income taxes. Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, it is given permission to address the House The real question is: Who knows best truly difficult to balance the family for 1 minute and to revise and extend how to spend hard-earned dollars—the budget when you do not know when the his remarks.) H 98 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, Utah’s Statehood Centennial. One hun- dent to the bill H.R. 1977 and on the across the county, Americans are look- dred years ago, on January 4, 1896, my veto message itself, and that I may in- ing for some signs. Signs of progress. home State of Utah became the 45th clude tabular and extraneous material. Signs of leadership. Signs of decency. State in the Union. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Unfortunately, this is still the only Utah had spent nearly 50 years at- objection to the request of the gen- sign they see. ‘‘Closed.’’ Why? Simple. tempting to become a State, and had tleman from Ohio? Because of the close-minded radical been turned down six times by 1896. But There was no objection. right—Members who refuse to see any the patriotic and pioneering spirit of Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield side to this issue other than their own. those who settled in the Utah territory myself such time as I may consume. But it is not just their minds that are prevailed, and the news of the long Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, closed. The Gingrich Republicans have sought after statehood was received today we have an opportunity to cor- closed their eyes, too. They close their with great rejoicing and enthusiasm as rect a serious problem, and that is the eyes to the pain that their gutless thousands of citizens participated in lack of access to the Nation’s treasures gamesmanship has caused. parades and celebrations on that cold that result from the veto by the Presi- Seniors and children are denied nu- January morning, celebrations being dent of the Interior appropriations bill. trition programs, unemployed workers reenacted in Utah today. It is a good bill. We worked hard on can not get benefits, and all the GOP Over the past 100 years, citizens of it on both sides of the aisle. It was re- does is talk about ‘‘holding the Presi- Utah have served our great Nation committed twice to the conference to dent’s feet to the fire.’’ Meanwhile, in- with distinction through military, gov- take care of the problems of the nocent Americans huddle around a fire ernment, civic, and religious activities. Tongass to satisfy the environmental to keep warm. Today, Utah enjoys the strongest concerns and also to take care of the Yes—this GOP majority has opened economy and is among the most rap- need for a mining moratorium. Those its backrooms to big business lobbyists idly growing States in the Nation. It is issues were addressed, and I think out to help them write new laws. But it without prejudice that we declare Utah of the give and take of the conference closes the door on hardworking Gov- to be the greatest place on Earth. and the recommittals, we arrived at a ernment employees who implement It is my honor to serve the people of good bill, a bill that is fair and a bill and enforce those laws. Utah in this, the people’s House of Rep- that is nonpartisan. Mr. Speaker, I urge you and your side resentatives. Today, we in the Congress There are many projects that need to of the aisle, to open up our minds, and honor the contributions which Utahns be finished that were in Members’ dis- say ‘‘Yes, we are open.’’ Open the Gov- have made to our Nation over the past tricts, both Republican and Democrat. ernment, now. century and look forward with great The parks, of course, serve all of the f anticipation to the opportunities of people of the United States, as well as service to one another in the next cen- do the cultural institutions downtown. A CLEAR MISSION tury. I want to say to my colleagues on the (Mr. FRISA asked and was given per- f other side of the aisle that on Decem- mission to address the House for 1 ber 20, 89 Members of the minority minute.) REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER voted to override the President on se- Mr. FRISA. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 393 curities litigation reform. That is a today I walked into this great House as Mr. ZIMMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask pretty esoteric bill, and I am going to a brandnew Member of Congress rep- unanimous consent that my name be borrow a phrase from my good friends resenting Long Island, NY. When I did removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 393. on the other side of the aisle and say that, I had one mission 1 year ago, and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LA that was an override for the rich, be- that was to do things differently, to HOOD) Is there objection to the request cause people involved in securities are get away from the rhetoric and the of the gentleman from New Jersey? pretty much well-to-do people; they empty words that really are not truth- There was no objection. certainly are not the average Amer- ful. f ican. The simple fact is, we have done our They found it in their hearts to over- job. The President does not like it. My DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ride the President’s veto on a bill with colleagues on the other side of the aisle AND RELATED AGENCIES APPRO- a very narrow constituency, a bill that certainly do not like it. PRIATIONS ACT, 1996 will be beneficial to a limited number Here is the result of our work prod- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I offer a of people. uct. We promised a balanced budget; we motion. Today we are asking my colleagues delivered it. Here it is. Mr. Speaker, The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a on the other side of the aisle to join us anyone in this country who would like privileged motion. in voting to override a bill that affects to get a copy of this real budget, call The Clerk read as follows: 260 million Americans. This is an over- my office, 202–225–5516; I will send you Mr. REGULA moves to discharge the Com- ride for the people, and I would hope one. mittee on Appropriations from further con- that the 89 Members of the other party If you would like to see the Presi- sideration of the veto message on the bill that voted to override the President on dent’s alternative balanced budget, you (H.R. 1977) making appropriations for the De- a very sophisticated piece of legisla- do not have to call. You can see it partment of the Interior and Related Agen- tion, affecting only a handful of Ameri- cies for the fiscal year ending September 30, cans relatively, certainly would want right here. You cannot really see it, be- 1996, and for other purposes. cause it does not exist. to do the same for the 260 million The President of the United States The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Americans that want access to the has not done his job. Though he has ant to the rule, the gentleman from treasures of this Nation. done a lot of yakking, and he has done Ohio [Mr. REGULA] is recognized for 1 Today we have an opportunity to a lot of blabbing; he has not rolled up hour. open the facilities that Americans care his sleeves and done the real work and Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, for pur- about, to give them an opportunity if put numbers on the table. poses of debate only, I yield the cus- they come to the Nation’s Capital to tomary 30 minutes to the gentleman f visit the Vermeer exhibit, one of the from Illinois [Mr. YATES]. world’s great treasures, at the National UTAH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF GENERAL LEAVE Gallery, which is scheduled to leave, I STATEHOOD Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I ask think, February 11, a very limited op- (Mr. ORTON asked and was given unanimous consent that all Members portunity of time; an opportunity to permission to address the House for 1 may have 5 legislative days in which to see the marvelous exhibits at the minute and to revise and extend his re- revise and extend their remarks on the Smithsonian; an opportunity for marks.) motion to discharge the Committee on sportsmen that like to hunt ducks that Mr. ORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I Appropriations from further consider- are coming down the flyways and are join my fellow Utahns in celebrating ation of the veto message of the Presi- stopping at the various facilities, one January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 99 in Arkansas that I am aware of, the ing, and timber harvesting, we collect parks, the forests, the fish and wildlife season I think opens or should have $8 billion, not million, $8 billion in facilities, the National Gallery, the opened January 1; an opportunity for Federal revenues. But those collections Smithsonian, the Holocaust Museum. people that want to go to Philadelphia agencies, such as MMS, are paralyzed A ‘‘no’’ vote is to keep them out. It is and see the Liberty Bell; an oppor- because of the fact that they do not very important that the American pub- tunity to visit the Holocaust Museum. have people on the job. We could very lic understand that a ‘‘no’’ vote today All we need is for my colleagues on well lose a substantial amount of is to deny access to these marvelous fa- the other side of the aisle, or for the 89 money. cilities. that wanted to override the securities A ‘‘no’’ vote will jeopardize the col- legislation to say, let us open up these lection of the $8 billion that are gen- What will a ‘‘yes’’ vote do for the facilities to the American public, let us erated by the activities in this bill. American people? It means that they open our parks, let us open our forests. A ‘‘yes’’ vote will put 130,000 Federal will have the things that they treasure. employees back to work. It will ensure It means that they can appreciate their b 1045 that they can provide for their fami- great out-of-doors, the public lands, What does a vote ‘‘yes’’ mean? A vote lies. the forests, the hiking and the camping ‘‘yes’’ means that we can keep Indian All we need today is for the 89 that areas, and these are a part of what we schools open, it will provide welfare as- voted to override on securities legisla- talk about in family values. A ‘‘yes’’ sistance to needy Indian children. A tion to vote to override the President vote means that that family that vote ‘‘yes’’ will ensure that essential today, and we will put those 130,000 em- wants to camp out in a national forest services on Indian reservations, includ- ployees on the job as early as tomor- or a national park will have an oppor- ing health services, law enforcement, row. tunity to do so. A vote ‘‘yes’’ is a vote education, continue to be provided. What does a vote ‘‘no’’ mean? It for the American people. A vote ‘‘no’’ What will a ‘‘no’’ vote mean? A ‘‘no’’ means they still live in an era of uncer- is to say you are locked out, no access jeopardized the health, the education, tainty. They have difficulty meeting to the things that you treasure so and the safety of over 1 million native their monthly payments. much and that belong to all the Ameri- Americans. Let me say here that we What will a ‘‘yes’’ vote do for our na- cans. added, at the request of the adminis- tional parks? Some 369 national parks tration, in the bill that they vetoed, we will open their doors. I call on 89 of you So I say to my colleagues, the right added prior to the veto, an extra $50 to help us open the doors. It will open vote today is a vote ‘‘yes.’’ If you can million for Indian programs. This was 500 national wildlife refuges, our 150 vote ‘‘yes’’ to take care of a handful of something I know that the ranking national forests, the National Gallery lawyers that deal in securities litiga- member of the Committee on Appro- of Art, the Smithsonian, our natural tion, you certainly can vote ‘‘yes’’ to priations was interested in. and cultural treasures will be opened let 260 million Americans have access A vote to override the President’s to the public. to the things they treasure, to the veto will ensure the collection of Fed- A ‘‘no’’ vote will lock the doors, will things that they own, to the things eral revenues. Most people do not real- deny 260 million Americans access to that are part of their heritage of this ize that from mining, oil and gas leas- those things that they treasure, the great Nation. H 100 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 101 H 102 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 103 H 104 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Mr. REGULA. Speaker, I reserve the closing of the Government. The fact is I believe, Mr. Speaker, we must de- balance of my time. that the wrongs in this bill were em- feat this motion to override the Presi- Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- phasized by the House’s veto on two dent’s veto, and only then can we have self such time as I may consume. separate occasions of this bill. Motions a serious discussion of how to fix up Mr. Speaker, my good friend from to recommit the bill to committee the Interior bill which the President Ohio is trying to continue a coverup. I were approved by the House. So they was so correct in vetoing. do not understand, Mr. Speaker, why believed, along with the President, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of he does not come in with a good bill, a that this was not a good bill. If it is not my time. bill of which we on the committee can a good bill, why, then, does the gen- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield be proud, instead of trying to revive a tleman from Ohio ask for an override? myself such time as I may consume. dead, discredited bill. All of these wrongs could be satisfied Mr. Speaker, I think it is important We should approve not only a clean by passing a clean continuing resolu- that we respond to the gentleman from continuing resolution, and then we can tion, as has been pointed out so fre- Illinois. pass an Interior bill the President can quently. Because that continuing reso- Number one, he made a great case for sign, not this bill, which the President lution is not passed, because this is overriding the President’s veto. He rightfully vetoed. The gentleman did such a bad bill, our national parks are pointed out all of the things that are not indicate the defects in this bill, and closed, the National Gallery of Art is happening, how people are being penal- we know why the President vetoed the closed, and the Vermeer exhibition is ized in so many different ways, how the Interior conference bill, because it is a barred from showing to the public health is in jeopardy for Indians and so bad bill and it would have been wrong through the expenditure of public on. There is a very simple way to cure on the part of the President to sign funds, although the Mellon Founda- that, I would say to the gentleman, my this bill. tion, as it has done so frequently in the friend from Illinois, and that is, vote to My good friend, the gentleman from past, has come to the rescue of the override the President’s veto. Louisiana [Mr. LIVINGTON], the chair- Vermeer exhibition, and the public will This bill, as we well know, has a lot man of the Committee on Appropria- be allowed to see it until its scheduled of good things in it. Let me just men- tions, at the last time this bill was on time for closing takes place. tion a couple. the floor, got up before the House and The Smithsonian is shut down. Mil- We are talking about the Native said that we all know why the Govern- lions of Americans whose livelihood de- Americans being second class. One- ment is shut down, it is because the pends upon the Interior Department, fourth, 25 percent of the money in this President vetoed this bill. Well, of the Forest Service, and upon other bill is for Native Americans, $3 billion. course the President vetoed this bill agencies are left out in the cold. They are hardly second class when we Mr. Speaker, let me give some exam- because it was the right thing to do. He are appropriating 3 billion taxpayer ples of what is happening as a result of vetoed the bill because it slashes fund- dollars to support the many and varied what the closedown of the Government ing for the Native Americans by $325 programs. As I would point out, we did is doing to this bill. million. respond, actually we put more in the Welfare assistance to 53,000 Indian conference and in the bill that finally My friend from Ohio talks about the families has been ended. Child welfare additional $50 million they have put in. went to the White House than was re- assistance to 3,000 Indian children in quested by the President during earlier That is a sop, a pittance, when one re- foster homes and orphanages is cut off. alize that the original cut to the funds negotiations. Indian tribes that rely on funding from Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, will the for the Native Americans was over $400 the Bureau of Indian Affairs are having million by the Senate, almost a half gentleman yield? to furlough employees, close schools, Mr. REGULA. I yield to the gen- billion dollars. and close tribal jails. Over 383,000 visi- tleman from Illinois. The President vetoed the bill because tors have been turned away from the Mr. YATES. The gentleman knows the low income weatherization pro- national parks, having a devastating that the amount requested by the gram is gutted by lack of appropria- effect on towns and businesses that President was $1.9 billion. The amount tions. He vetoed the bill because the rely on that tourism. that the conference approved and National Endowment for the Arts and Local communities are losing over which is in this bill is $325 million less the Humanities are cut in half. He ve- $14 million every day because of the than the amount requested by the toed the bill because America’s great- park closures. Thousands of service in- President. est forest, the Tongass National Forest dustry workers have lost their jobs as a Mr. REGULA. As the gentleman in Alaska, will be increased in its cut result. would recognize, though, that in the of timber by one-third. If its harvests The Park Service has been forced to negotiations, and I want to address in the past are any indication, the cut evict people who are camping in the that, the gentleman said that we made will be a clear-cut, as well. It treats Everglades National Park in Florida. no attempt to work with the White the Native Americans like second-class The Minerals Management Service is House. We did and I have a whole list of citizens. It suspends the environmental prevented from issuing permits to things here that we changed in re- laws that give the public a right to pro- begin exploration or development of sponse to the White House. They said test the breaches to the environmental authorized offshore oil and gas depos- initially, and I would add they keep laws that the increases in the cuts are its. A Federal criminal trial against an moving the goal posts, that is part of liable to make. international wildlife smuggling ring the problem; we no sooner respond to My good friends in the majority do in Chicago has been delayed because the White House’s request than the not believe this veto override will be the Fish and Wildlife Service cannot goalposts move. successful. My friend from Ohio points provide crucial assistance to the Jus- b out all the things that an override of tice Department. The National Bio- 1100 this veto will bring. Well, the evils in logic Service has been prevented from They asked for $110 million, this is this bill are such that the President investigating an alarming increase in not the original request, this is after could not possibly have signed the bill. the death of bald eagles and sea otters. we were in conference, they asked for Those wrongs will continue, because I The list of hardships and tragedies, $110 million over the Senate-passed am sure that the President continues Mr. Speaker, goes on an on. The Nation level. We ended up with $111.5 million the same frame of mind. burns and the House of Representatives over the Senate, plus $25 million addi- There has been no effort on the part fiddles. We should have had meetings tional for the Indian Health Service. of the majority to rework this bill. The of the full committee, not just of the And I could go through the whole list conference took care of the morato- chairman of the House subcommittee of things that the White House re- rium for mining and little else. and the chairman of the Senate sub- quested during the conference to which As I indicated, the chairman of the committee, to decide what will go into we responded, perhaps not totally, but committee, and it is indicated, also, by the bill. Other members of the commit- as much as possible. my friend from Ohio that the veto of tee have contributions to make, as Part of what is at issue here is how the President was responsible for the well. much we are going to spend. I have to January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 105 agree, we are not spending as much as Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I would Mr. REGULA. Because they were a the minority party would like. But the say to the gentleman that the original party to it. American people have said, we are not was, I think, something like 450. We Mr. YATES. On the contrary, Mr. willing to borrow money from our got it back to 418. But the money we Speaker, it was put in because the grandchildren to fund today’s pro- put in the bill, which is the real world, amendment of the gentleman from Ari- grams. So the allocation to us was 10 limits the cut to exactly or a little less zona was put in after the President’s percent under 1995’s appropriation. than has been cut in the past during statement had been drafted. Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- the time that the gentleman was chair- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, reclaim- tleman will continue to yield, does the man of this committee. ing my time, how could he write the gentleman think the American people Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, will the statement until he had the bill? He ve- want the Indian children to be deprived gentleman be surprised in the event toed the bill at 11 a.m. We did not get of their food and of their necessities of that the cut went beyond the amount the veto message until 5 p.m. explain- life? This bill and the failure to provide that he says will be authorized by, paid ing his decision. So he had 6 hours, if a clean continuing resolution are doing for by the 320? he wanted to get it in there. that. The gentleman knows it as well. Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I would Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I would be surprised because history tells us tleman will continue to yield, the fact only point out that with $3 billion, that the money we put in will probably remains that the gentleman has not re- they are not actually being deprived. result in a smaller cut, and I would plied to my point about the sufficiency That is a lot of money. It goes to these also point out to the gentleman that it language being in the bill as being ap- many programs. The person that is de- is the President’s chief of the Forest plicable to the cut that takes place in priving the Indians of access to these Service, appointed by the President, the forests of the Northwest. funds is the President of the United that is managing the Tongass as part Mr. REGULA. Well, we are having a States. I hope that 89 of my colleagues of the Forest Service. Therefore, deci- good discussion. I do not want to use will recognize that today, as they did sions that are made along the lines the too much of my time here. on the securities litigation legislation, gentleman is discussing will be made Mr. YATES. But the gentleman has and will support the fact that we want by the employees or certainly the exec- not really answered my question. this $3 billion to go to the Indian pro- utive branch appointees that have re- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I am not grams. sponsible positions. There is no way sure what the gentleman is referring The gentleman mentioned increasing to. We had one instance, just as he had cuts. Certainly we had to reduce spend- that they can, by magic, create money one instance when he was chairman, of ing to meet the 10 percent reduction out of the air so that with the money sufficiency language being included goal. But I have to say that I think we that is in the bill, the cut really is re- and that was on a sale in the Tongass have done a responsible job, given the stricted to what we have had in the that has already gone through all the fiscal constraints. past. The gentleman and I have served on Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, will the environmental steps. It is just that the this committee for many years to- gentleman tell us why the Republican people that were going to purchase it gether and in the past years we were majority agreed to nullify the environ- are out of business so it is a moving of always able to spend more each year. mental laws by depriving the public of that sale to another purchaser. But the That made life easy. We just added an- the right to protest the increases in environmental requirements had all other 5 percent to everybody’s program the cuts? been met. That is the reason we put or 3 or whatever the number was, and Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I would sufficiency on that one item. I agree we everybody was happy. Because the tell the gentleman No. 1, in the recom- had it in originally on the Tongass gen- American people, in November of 1994, mittal we took out the sufficiency lan- erally, but we took that out. That was said, wait a minute, we do not want to guage with the exception of one sale. one of the things that was negotiated put our grandchildren in debt. They al- This is a parallel to what happened on the recommittals. ready owe $20,000 apiece. We do not when the gentleman was chairman on Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, what about want to add to that for Government the Oregon situation at the request of the marbled murrelet provision? The programs. So as a result the Commit- Senator HATFIELD. Any further sales marbled murrelet provision, is that not tee on the Budget gave us 10 percent other than the one that is just chang- still subject to sufficiency language? less than 1995. So instead of having an ing the location are subject to suffi- Mr. REGULA. The marbled murrelet increase, as we have had in the past, we ciency language, which means it has to is in the bill that went to the White had a reduction. So we did it and we go through the courts, through the House. worked together in many respects. EPA and all the requirements. Mr. YATES. It is subject to suffi- We did the must-dos. We flat funded Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, has the ciency language, is it not? the parks, the Smithsonian, the Na- sufficiency language been taken out of Mr. REGULA. No, that is not. That is tional Gallery so they can stay open the cut in the Northwest States of the a different issue, and we only had the for the public, the Forest Service, the United States? one sufficiency, similar to what the Fish and Wildlife Service. We did the Mr. REGULA. The language that was gentleman had in the bill for Oregon need-to-does, things that needed to be placed in the bill that the gentleman some years ago. fixed, repairs and so on. The nice-to- was chairing? Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of dos took a hit. There is no question Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, the bill my time. about it. We abolished the Bureau of that I chaired that had sufficiency lan- Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 Mines. We did a number of other guage goes back something like 8 or 9 minutes to the gentleman from Wis- things. But frankly, unless we are will- years. There was no sufficiency lan- consin [Mr. OBEY], ranking member of ing to continue borrowing money from guage after that. It was done for one the Committee on Appropriations. future generations, we are simply time only. Yet there is sufficiency lan- Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I am simply going to have to restrain our spending. guage for the amendment that was in- stuck here, forced to repeat much of That is what we did here. We tried to troduced by the gentleman from Ari- what I said yesterday on two previous do it in a fair manner. I do not think zona [Mr. KOLBE]. The people of the veto overrides. Nothing real is happen- the gentleman would disagree that State of Arizona, the environmental ing here today. There is no real legisla- given the fiscal constraints we had community is deprived of the oppor- tion which is being pursued here today. that we were at least bipartisan in al- tunity of protesting because of suffi- Everybody knew the President was locating the money. ciency language. going to veto this bill. He made it quite Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, reclaim- clear. He indicated he was not going to tleman will continue to yield, will the ing my time, I notice that the Presi- sign a bill which has a huge increase in gentleman tell me why the majority, dent never even mentioned that in his logging in the Tongass, one of the few the Republican majority agreed to in- override message. temperate rain forests left in the crease the cut for the Tongass forest by Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, does the world. He made it quite clear that he at least a third? gentleman know why? was not going to accept the reversal of H 106 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 the California Desert Protection Act, seeing the spectacle of workers being the approach to how we run the Gov- which passed last year. He made it required to work for which they are ernment, and that approach is, Mr. quite clear he was not going to support not getting paid. It is really an Alice- Speaker, they use blackmail. If they other provisions, including major re- in-Wonderland world. cannot get their way on a balanced ductions in weatherization programs What ought to happen is very simple. budget provision or reconciliation bill for low-income people trying to stay My colleagues ought to stop this 2-hour which they call a Balanced Budget Act, warm in a cold winter. charade. They ought to bring to the then they are going to shut down the But this is not about the veto. Every- floor legislation which opens up the Government until the President agrees body knows this veto is not going to be Government and allows everyone to go to what they want in a balanced budg- overridden. The only reason we are back to work. But that is not going to et. having this silly debate on the floor happen. The chairman of this commit- Now that is as simple as that, my here today is because the majority tee summarized several weeks ago why colleagues. It is pure blackmail. I party is trying to keep off the floor any it is not going to happen. He held a never thought that I would ever see a effort to open up the entire Govern- press conference after the President Member of Congress elected by his con- ment. So this is a time filler. We are signed the defense appropriations bill stituents elect to use a shutdown of the going to waste 2 hours on something and then said the following: Government in order to get their views which is going nowhere. If the Government shuts down on Decem- on something. We are seeing it right Now, I would simply point out, in ber 15 and 300,000 people are again out of here today on this bill. contrast to what my good friend from work, most of the people going out will be It is very apparent to me that the Ohio has said, the President did not his people; I think he is going to care more gentleman from Ohio, the gentleman shut down the Government. Presidents than we do. from Arizona, the gentleman from have for time immemorial vetoed legis- That was said by the distinguished Alaska, those on that side, are going to lation which they thought was out of chairman and my good friend, the dis- say, ‘‘Well, we let you have a vote to whack. Those vetoes did not shut down tinguished chairman of this commit- override the President.’’ Purse cyni- the Government because previous Con- tee, Mr. LIVINGSTON. cism. Then they are not going to do gresses were responsible enough to pass Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the anything more. They know the vote is continuing resolutions so that the Gov- truth of this statement has been dem- not going to be in their favor, as the ernment remained open. onstrated. It is apparent that there is gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. OBEY] This Congress has refused to do that very little concern on that side of the has rightly proven. We are not going to because there is a strategic decision aisle for the 300,000 Government work- override the President because there which has been made by Mr. GINGRICH ers who are being forced into these are things in this bill that many of us and his clones. That decision has been silly circumstances, and there is very cannot accept. that unless the President is going to little concern for the taxpayers who Mr. Speaker, we are willing to com- accept their reductions in Medicare, have a right to get the services for promise, like the President is, to work their reductions in Medicaid, their re- which they have already paid taxes. it out, but, no, not them. They have ductions in education, and their other They have a right. got to have their way, and their way demands in the 7-year budget negotia- The Congress ought to quit this silly only, and, if they do not get their way, tions going on in another room on game. My colleagues ought to follow then there is not going to be a CR. other subjects—unless the President is the lead of Senator DOLE. They ought We had the opportunity yesterday. going to cave on that collection of is- to bring up that clean continuing reso- Every one of us had that opportunity sues, that in order to put the squeeze lution to open the Government so that yesterday to keep the Government run- on the President—they are going to we can continue to discuss our other ning, to let everybody go back to work. keep the Government closed. That is differences like adults, without shoot- The people; like in my district I had a the decision that my colleagues on ing innocent people in the process. lady call me yesterday, my colleagues. that side of the aisle have decided that Until they face up to their responsibil- She got a $50 paycheck yesterday. I they are going to make. They are ap- ities and open up the Government, that asked, ‘‘How would you like to—how parently willing to take all the heat is exactly what is happening. would this staff, how would your staff, from the public that is going to be gen- like to get a $50 paycheck?’’ No, my b 1115 erated in order to get their way. colleagues are smart. Collectively, they are holding their All my colleagues are doing is shoot- The gentleman from California, Mr. breath and turning blue until the ing the innocent because of incredible Speaker, who heads up the Legislative President caves. That is what is going arrogance that some people in this Subcommittee, yes, he was smart. The on. House have, the incredible arrogance to President was not quite seeing exactly Now, it seems to me that that is not think that their political ideology is what my colleagues were going to do. what the public sent us here to do. I more important than the service we I wish the President had never signed want to congratulate the action taken are supposed to provide our constitu- that legislative appropriation bill. He by the Senate majority leader, Senator ents. That is outrageous. should never have done it. He should DOLE. I think that action has defined Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 never do it next year. He should not the difference between fighting for minutes to the gentleman from Mis- sign the Defense appropriation bill principles within a rational construct souri [Mr. VOLKMER]. next year. He should not sign his own and simply behaving like nihilists, pre- Mr. VOLKMER. Mr. Speaker, I wish next year until all the rest of these tending that you are principled. I real- to first thank the gentleman from Illi- have been done because my colleagues ly believe that the only way we are nois [Mr. YATES] for giving me 4 min- are not just doing it now, they are going to get out of this impasse is for utes, and I have to agree with every- going to propose—it is very clear to me our moderate friends on the Republican thing that the gentleman from Wiscon- that under the operation of GINGRICH, side of the aisle to recognize that soon- sin [Mr. OBEY] has just said, and I under their operation under Speaker er or later they are going to have to would like to maintain that thought GINGRICH, they plan to do this every make a choice between following the just a little longer because to me, what time, not just this year, not just for rational leadership of someone like I am seeing happen in this House, and this bill for this fiscal year, but for BOB DOLE or following the irrational I have seen it since December 15, is next year also. They are willing to put leadership, in my view, of someone like something that I, who have served here people in hardship, to let kids starve, Mr. GINGRICH. now starting my 20th year, have never just so that they can say we have to Until my colleagues make that seen before, and I say that in the his- have our balanced budget. choice, the taxpayers are going to be tory of this country no one has ever Mr. Speaker, I want a balanced budg- stuck with the incredible spectacle of seen before, no Member of this House et, too. I voted for one, I voted for one. first seeing Government workers pre- in all those 207 years has seen the cyni- But I do not want one with a big tax vented from doing the work that they cism of what I call the radical right cut in it like my colleagues have got, I are being paid for and then later on wing Republicans led by our Speaker in will not vote for one with a big tax cut January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 107 like my colleagues have, and the Presi- going to be read back are the words to In fact, we know that only 10 percent, dent will not ever sign one with a big which I was objecting? Because the and only 10 percent, over 100 years tax cut like my colleagues have got. I words to which I was objecting were would be cut. We know that there are will not vote for one that cuts Medi- the words that indicated that the gen- 42 percent of my people out of work in care for my elderly citizens like my tleman from Illinois had uttered southeast Alaska today because of ac- colleagues have got, the President will mistruths and had known that. Those tion of this body, and we heard a lot not sign one like that. And my col- are the words that I am specifically ad- about it is a shame that the President leagues say, ‘‘Okay, we’ll shut down dressing. vetoed this. Then we talked about the the Government,’’ and that is just what The SPEAKER pro tempore. The people’s hardships and the people that they have done. Chair will direct the Clerk to report are out of work. I ask, ‘‘Why don’t you do like your the words. What about the people that are blue Presidential candidate, Senator DOLE? The Clerk read as follows: collar workers? Have I heard anybody Why don’t some of you, just 20 of you, The gentleman keeps talking about the on this floor defend them, other than come with us? We’ll open up the Gov- Tongass. It will be 90 percent in wilderness, myself and a few of my colleagues? I ernment.’’ and he knows it, and you told a mistruth heard a gentleman a while ago say, we Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 every time on this issue, and you know that are going to hold our faces blue until minutes and 30 seconds to the gen- it is a mistruth. There is absolutely no we get our way. I would rather be blue truth, there is no truth. . . . tleman from Alaska [Mr. YOUNG], the than red. distinguished chairman of the Commit- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I I am going to suggest respectfully tee on Resources. ask unanimous consent to withdraw that this veto is wrong. The President (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was the words. shut down these parks; the President given permission to revise and extend Mr. VOLKMER. Mr. Speaker, reserv- shut down the monuments. There is a his remarks.) ing the right to object. letter today in the Washington Post The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, about the police were on hand at the objection? it is very difficult for me to sit here parks. Where were they before? They Mr. VOLKMER. Mr. Speaker, I ob- and listen to the rhetoric that comes are issuing tickets to people, tax- ject. out from that side of the aisle, the out- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- payers. Where were they before? This administration and this Sec- right mistruths very nearly close to tleman from Wisconsin objects. the mistruths have been spoken by the Mr. OBEY. No, I did not object. retary of Interior are using this for a President of the United States. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- political gambit. This is what this is When I hear people talk about the tleman from Missouri objects. all about. We did our job. We sent a bill Tongass, the gentleman from Illinois Mr. VOLKMER. I withdraw my res- to the President that the President [Mr. YATES], and, no, I will not yield. I ervation. could have signed and should have listened to that tirade a while ago, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- signed. I will not yield. The Tongass does in tleman from Wisconsin is recognized. By the way, we heard a lot about the fact—the provision of this bill froze the Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I am reserv- American natives. The American na- amount of timber that could be har- ing the right to object because, in my tives want to stand on their own, they vested. It froze it to 1.7 million view, when a Member accuses another want to manage their own affairs, they acres. . . . Member of purposely misleading the want to be able to decide their own des- Mr. VOLKMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask House, he owes it to the House to tiny. They do not want to continue that the gentleman’s words be taken apologize. I will be happy to withdraw with handouts as the minority has down. my objection if the gentleman apolo- been doing over these years to make Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, gizes to the gentleman from Illinois. them subservient. They want to be there are no truths in—— Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, their own people. The best way, they Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I demand it is rare that I apologize when I know have said to me, is we will take our that the gentleman’s words be taken I am speaking from my heart. It is rare cuts as long as everybody else does too. down. that I ask this House to listen to a gen- But this President has kept those mon- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. The gen- tleman’s understanding as he sees the eys away from those people. tleman has to prove that he is telling issue. It is rare that I have to apologize It is time that this Congress over- the truth, and he is not. when other gentlemen do not take the rides this President, and you have that PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES opportunity to read the facts on an responsibility too. Mr. VOLKMER. Parliamentary in- issue. Make no mistake about it. Mr. Speaker, the quiry, Mr. Speaker. The gentleman and I have discussed Interior appropriations veto was politics, pure The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. this for many, many years, and he and poll-driven politics. LAHOOD). The gentleman will state his I know we differ. He knows my emo- If you read the President's veto message inquiry. tionalism on this. He knows I have lost and compare it to the White House press re- Mr. VOLKMER. My parliamentary over 42 percent of my working people lease, they are identical. Was the President inquiry is how far back will the stenog- in this area. He knows that I am a gen- trying to seriously communicate with the Con- rapher, the reporter, go because it is tleman that would never impugn an- gress or was this just a public relations exer- our—at least my—when I asked for the other gentleman. The gentleman cise? I have never seen anything like it. words to be taken down, that the gen- knows that. The President vetoed this bill with a press tleman had used the word ‘‘mistruth’’ Mr. YATES. I do not know that. release, threw thousands of workers out of way back and continuously in ref- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Well, then, I work right before the holiday, and then blamed erence to Members and to the Presi- apologize to you personally. the Congress. Shame on you, Mr. President. dent, and I would like for all of those The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the This is a slap in the face of Chairman REG- words to be taken down. gentleman withdraw his objection? ULA and Chairman LIVINGSTON. They sent a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. OBEY. Yes, I withdraw my objec- balanced bill to the White House that was sen- Clerk will report the words most imme- tion, in light of the apology. sitive to every concern raised by the Presi- diately complained of. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- dent's staff. tleman from Alaska may proceed in This veto message also insults my constitu- b 1130 order. ents who live and work in the Tongass Na- Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, parliamen- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, tional Forest. It singled out a carefully drafted tary inquiry. may I again go back to what I said hap- provision that would bring stability to my con- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. pened in the Tongass. stituents who live and work in the Tongass. LAHOOD). The gentleman from Wiscon- We froze the amount of timber to The Tongass provision did 2 things: First, sin will state his parlimentary inquiry. cut. We know, in fact, that it is 90 per- froze the amount of timber that could be har- Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, how do I cent a wilderness. These are facts, my vested over 100 years at 1.7 million acres make certain that the words which are friends, facts, not fiction. and, second, allowed the Forest Service to H 108 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 convert timber sales from one purchaser to erty Bell is seeking private donations, logs would continue to be trees. They another. It did nothing more and nothing less. and the reason you cannot go would be vertical instead of horizontal. The fact is, every issue raised by the Clin- snowmobiling in Yellowstone National That is why. That is why. ton administration was addressed in the bill. Park is because of the Louisiana Pa- That is why we must sustain the The administration said it wanted the ability cific and this legislation. veto. We cannot have the special inter- to use good science, so we allowed them to This is the worst of special-interest ests come into the Halls of Congress use sound scientific data under Chairman legislation. You cannot do what they and dictate and say that we must set REGULA's bill. want to do under this bill unless you aside the laws so that they can have The administration said it did not want a waive the environmental laws of this the special privilege of not having to permanent ban on habitat conservation areas, Nation. You cannot do what they want put up with public input and public de- so Chairman REGULA's bill removed the ban at to do under this bill unless you put in bate and a public planning process, so their request. sufficient language to protect this cor- they do not have to suffer the indig- After the bill passed the Congress, the poration from a lawsuit that they have nities of losing a court case, so they do President's staff had to find an excuse for him already lost in court. not have to suffer the scrutiny of the to veto it. The Environmental Mecca, the We are here doing that in this legis- public subsidies to their private cor- Tongass National Forest, served as excuse lation, and we are holding Indian chil- porations. No. 1. dren hostage. We are holding the That is what is holding hostage the The veto message/press release makes it health of Indian natives of this country National Park System, the Indian sound like the whole 17-million-acre forest hostage. We are holding the tourism health system, the endangered species would be clear-cut tomorrow if the bill became economies of Yosemite National Park, system in this country, the special in- law. The fact is only 10 percent of the forest Mariposa County, hostage, because terests of Louisiana Pacific and their will ever be harvested during a 100-year pe- Louisiana Pacific wants to do legisla- associates. riod. The other 90 percent is off limits in wil- tively what they are afraid to do and The people of Alaska oppose this leg- derness status or not available for harvest. come before our committee, the Com- islation; their newspapers oppose this, It seems to me that your advisors told you mittee on Natural Resources, and de- their tourism association and the Gov- about the wrong Tongass provision, Mr. Presi- bate this openly about the Tongass. ernor of the State oppose this legisla- dent. The gentleman from Alaska pre- tion. The reality for my constituents is that 42 viously said the Tongass is 90 percent Mr. Speaker, I include the following percent of the timber employees in the wilderness. No, it is not. And when he material for the RECORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to Tongass are out of work. Timber is part of a says he only wants to cut 10 percent, he this effort to override the President's veto. well-rounded Alaskan economy. We have has to recognize this. The vast major- President Clinton stood up for the environment enough preservation in the Tongass to protect ity of Tongass is ice, rocks, lakes, and and the taxpayers. We should support him. the resources and environment. We need other things. The timber base is a very Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve some stability, Mr. President. small business. to know what's going on here. There's a hid- When you want to clear-cut 10 per- I urge my colleagues to override this poll- den agenda in this bill that the Republicans do cent of that timber base and you want driven veto. not like to highlight. Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 to do it without regard to the environ- Why are our national parks closed and thou- minutes to the gentleman from Califor- mental laws of this country and with- sands of loyal employees out of work? It is be- nia [Mr. MILLER]. out regard to the public planning proc- cause the Republican leadership allowed this (Mr. MILLER of California asked and ess, you do great devastation to the re- spending bill to become a grab bag of legisla- was given permission to revise and ex- maining land base and the timber base tive gifts for special interests who want to ex- tend his remarks.) in that area. That is why the Governor ploit our natural resources at taxpayer ex- Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. of Alaska is opposed to this process. pense. Speaker and Members, this committee, That is why the Anchorage Daily News The Republicans apparently believe that it is the Subcommittee on Interior of the is opposed to this process. That is why more important to dictate a forest plan that will Committee on Appropriations, does a the Alaska Outdoor Council, some increase Federal spending to cut down 400- lot of great work; and in this legisla- 10,000 members, hunters, and fisher- year-old trees in the Alaska rainforest than it tion there are a lot of very good provi- men, are opposed to this process. That is to reopen the national parks and put people sions. Unfortunately, this bill, which is why the Alaska Wilderness Recre- back to work. But the Republicans just can't does so much for native Americans, ation and Tourism Association is op- say no to Louisiana Pacific. That's what this which does so much for the natural re- posed to this process, because you are fight is aboutÐmore taxpayer dollars to sub- sources of our country, is being held legislating on them a single use for a sidize Louisiana Pacific and increase logging hostage by the Senator from Alaska great natural resource that is in fact in the Tongass National Forest by over 40 and by those who seek to have special increasing the economy of Alaska. It is percent. privilege in the Tongass National For- diversifying the economy of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely no valid est, the only temperate rain forest in The reason the logging economy reason to hold Federal workers, private sector North America, the only one that be- went down in Alaska is because of a contractors, and the rest of the public hostage longs to the American people. Japanese-owned mill that cannot get to the Alaskan pulp mill barons. This Tongass What they are seeking to do is to go more Federal dollars and subsidies, for rider doesn't belong on any appropriations bill. back in time. In 1990 we passed a the taxpayers quit. They went out of It hasn't been the subject of a single day of Tongass reform bill. They seek now to business because they just could not public hearings in the Resources Committee. nullify that even though the Alaska get enough subsidies. Well, excuse me. The only thing the chairman from Alaska has delegation at that time said that they Try the marketplace. pending in committee is his bill to give away would agree to it if they could have 10 Now what we have is a struggle to the entire 17-million acre Tongass National years of peace under the requirements try to get those lands that they have Forest, abolishing the wilderness areas and of that bill. locked up under an old 50-year contract national monuments in the process. It's no What they seek to do now is to go without environmental reviews, they wonder that the Governor of Alaska is joined back to a plan which received thou- are trying to bring that into the land by so many other Alaskans in opposing this sands and thousands of comments base for this. So what? So they can get Tongass rider. about its inadequacy for sustainability, pulp and send it to Japan; so they can This bill is full of other antienvironmental about its inadequacy for Native rights, get logs and cant them and send them legislative riders that wouldn't see the light of about its inadequacy for the environ- to Japan. There is no value added here day if considered in the normal process. It ment; and they seek to legislate that for the American economy. But there guts the California Desert Protection Act. It plan in this bill. Why? Because the Pa- is $102 million in the last 3 years lost in stops progress in improving land management cific Timber Co. wants it that way; preparing these sales and cutting these in the Columbia River Basin. It undercuts the there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. roads. Endangered Species Act. The list goes on. The reason the Washington Monu- So without $102 million of subsidies, Mr. Speaker, I would have hoped that we ment is closed and the reason the Lib- these logs would never leave. These learned a lesson from the timber salvage rider January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 109 that passed on the rescissions bill earlier this The national parks, forests, and all If these proposals are so meritorious, Congress. There were no hearings on that other Department of the Interior facili- why are they not put up on the floor to legislative rider either. We were assured by ties would be open if President Clinton be voted on and considered as they proponents that it applied only to dead trees had just signed the Interior appropria- were passed into law initially, in other and burned trees. But what we later found out tions bill. His public excuses for not words, to defund something that has is that language was included to cut healthy signing the bill simply do not wash. been designated a park? That is what is forests in the Pacific Northwest. We found out In addition to killing the funding for done in this particular legislation, in that exempting the timber industry from the the parks, the administration got other words, to renege on the establish- environmental laws of this country leads only enough Democratic support to kill a bi- ment of the Mojave National Preserve to disaster. partisan bill in the House of Represent- in California, to open up again the Mr. Speaker, the President has made clear atives which has facilitated States pro- question of the Tongass which has an from the outset that the Tongass and the other viding the support necessary to keep agreement to cut 300 million board-feet legislative riders on this bill were unaccept- parks and wildlife refuges open during a year, but to specify and to suggest to able. Yet Republicans made only cosmetic periods of budget impasse. It is clear override all environmental types of changes in response. They alone share the that the administration is simply keep- challenges that exist in law for good blame by producing an Interior appropriations ing facilities closed for political rea- reason; for good reason, to renege on bill that tries to legislate bad policy rather than sons alone. the Columbia Basin and prevent the es- allocate public funds. They just can't say no to In fact, it does not even require any tablishment of an environmental im- the special interests. legislation to keep parks open. Sec- pact statement so that we can move I urge my colleagues to vote against the retary Babbitt has full authority to ac- forward with the Pacific Northwest veto override. Let the Republican majority in- cept donations to fund park operations, problem. stead get to work on producing a clean bill but the terms demanded by the Sec- This bill deserves to be defeated, and that is in the public interest. Let's get on with retary are so onerous that only the I hope we will uphold the President’s the business of governing and reopen the State of Arizona has agreed to them in veto. parks, monuments, refuges, and forests that order to keep the Grand Canyon open. b 1145 are so important to the American people. Actually, this is a hot-button issue, Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, will the Mr. Speaker. The President of the Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 gentleman yield? United States and the Secretary of the minutes to the distinguished gen- Mr. MILLER of California. I yield to Interior are going around talking tleman from Arizona [Mr. KOLBE], a the gentleman from Minnesota. member of our subcommittee. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to about closing the park. There is no park closing bill, and I would urge this (Mr. KOLBE asked and was given per- commend the gentleman for his state- mission to revise and extend his re- ment and point out that 90 percent of body to override the veto. Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 marks.) the Tongass Forest is not wilderness. Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, let us stop Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. minutes to the distinguished gen- the rhetoric, misstatements, and half- Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, of tleman from Minnesota [Mr. VENTO]. truths. The current budget crisis this course it is not. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Mr. VENTO. Also, the 10 percent that opposition to the override of the Presi- Nation is facing is not because Con- we are talking about here may make dent’s veto message on this important gress failed to do its job. We passed a up 50, 60 percent of the whole timber Interior appropriations bill. bill. It is because the President chose base in that forest. Unfortunately, this bill, under the to veto the Interior appropriations bill, Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 mantra of repeating over and over the VA, HUD and independent agencies minutes to the distinguished gen- again a balanced budget amendment, appropriations bill, and the Commerce, tleman from Utah [Mr. HANSEN]. something we would all like to do, but Justice, State bill, and because Demo- (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given the question is how you do it, when you cratic Senators are filibustering the permission to revise and extend his re- look into the bowels of what is in this Labor, HHS bill. marks.) particular bill and what is in the 7-year Again, let me reiterate why certain Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, as chair- plan that our Republican colleagues Federal employees have been fur- man of the Subcommittee on National are trying to foist upon us, they are ex- loughed and why others are performing Parks, Forests and Lands, we oversee treme positions. They are positions their duties without pay; it is because the national parks, the Bureau of Land that do not agree with the last three the President has decided that it is Management, and the Forest Service. decades of work that has been done in more important for him to engage in On December 18, 1995, President Bill this Congress, that is the product of partisan politics than to allow Federal Clinton vetoed the Interior appropria- the American people, the product I employees to go back to work. tions bill which would have provided wish I could claim of only Democrats, Today, we are going to have the op- funding to keep parks, forests, BLM but I know that there are many Repub- portunity to override the President’s recreation areas open to the public. In licans that have worked on that. But veto of the Interior appropriations bill. a staged press conference, President fundamentally it is in disagreement If we are successful, this $12.1 billion Clinton surrounded himself with chil- with the people of this country. appropriations measure will reopen our dren and said that for the sake of In this spending bill, I think we see museums, the National Endowment for maintaining clean air and clean water in clear view the fact that this extreme the Arts and Humanities, put back to for the children, he would have to veto agenda that is being delivered to this work those dedicated employees at the the bill. Congress by the leadership in this National Park Service, the Bureau of What the President failed to realize House and the Republican Senate is in- Land Management, and the Fish and or point out was that the Interior ap- herent. They are trying to put in here Wildlife Service, as well as get the propriations bill funds the Department in a covert way, the chairman of the needed money to our Nation’s Indian of the Interior agency and has nothing policy committee rises and gives a communities. to do with the Environmental Protec- speech, but the fact is the policy com- The President’s shutdown of the Fed- tion Agency, which is charged with mittees have not done their work. eral Government does not have to con- regulating the Nation’s air and water. This is a spending bill, but yet within tinue. In fact, if you want to find out Rather than working with the Congress this spending bill, it is laced with pro- what kind of impact his shutdown is on resolving issues of substance, Presi- visions that overturn fundamental having, I would encourage all of my dent Clinton has simply chosen to play policies of environmental law, of land colleagues to visit one of the 23 tribal politics. The bottom line is that the use law, of the endangered species, very communities in Arizona. They have Clinton administration is using our na- well worked out agreements such as been devastated by the President’s veto tional parks, forests, and BLM rec- the Tongass Forest agreement which of this important bill. Recently, the reational areas as part of their strat- now they disagree with. This fact is proud and noble Chairman of the Hopi egy to thwart efforts to balance the they are trying to put it through in a Tribe announced that he may have to Federal budget. covert way. release the inmates in the tribe’s jail H 110 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 because they do not have the money to people of America, funding critical nat- propriations bill that has been vetoed heat the facility. I might add that ural resource management responsibil- by the President. Normally the com- these funds are included in this Inte- ity, then to suggest that it is the Presi- mittee would go to work, take into rior appropriations bill. Again, we do dent’s fault, that he is somehow re- consideration the reasons the Presi- not have to allow this type of suffering sponsible for these unfortunate cir- dent gave for his veto, reasonable pol- to continue. cumstances. It makes no sense. Truly icymakers would make the necessary The President’s veto message was an amazing act of political illogic. adjustments, and pass the appropria- based solely upon polls conducted by This partial closure is in fact the in- tion. his political advisers. The President re- tended effect of the Speaker’s delib- Now the Republicans are trying to alized that most Americans are con- erate decision cynically to use the ma- find a way to look better. They have cerned about the environment, and jus- jority’s failure to get its work done on simply created a mess, not only on this tifiably so. But he has taken this pos- appropriations bills to leverage conces- bill but on the budget in general. The turing to an extreme and in the process sions on other budget matters on which Republican caucus has been led by the hundreds of thousands of hard working the American public and their Presi- freshman class, that group which has Americans are suffering the con- dent simply disagree with the extreme the least experience in the manage- sequences. views of many in the majority party. ment of government. I will speak more about this later. We are in this fix because of the The Republicans have gone too far. Let us do what all Americans want us Speaker’s refusal and no other reason. The Republicans have stepped way over to do: Let us allow them to go back to Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield the line. They have jeopardized not work. Overriding the President’s veto 11⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from only the National Park Service in this of this bill will accomplish this and a California [Mr. PACKARD]. bill, they have jeopardized Federal em- lot more. (Mr. PACKARD asked and was given ployees and veterans’ services, prison Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 permission to revise and extend his re- security, passport services, and Social minutes to the distinguished gen- marks.) Security services. tleman from Colorado [Mr. SKAGGS]. Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Time and time again we heard that Mr. SKAGGS. I thank the gentleman urge my colleagues to override the they were willing to shut this Govern- for yielding me the time. President’s veto of the Interior appro- ment down, that they would do this, Mr. Speaker, there are more than priations bill. For 20 days now, his veto and this is what they are doing. Just sufficient reasons for both the Presi- shut the American people out of the yesterday they voted in the Committee dent’s veto and for our sustaining it. Smithsonian Museums, the national on Rules to allow the Speaker to recess But I think it is especially important parks such as the Grand Canyon, Yel- in 3-day intervals. They are planning to explain why this is not about re- lowstone, and in my district the Cleve- to go home. In that Committee on opening the part of Government funded land National Forest. These parks and Rules, GERALD SOLOMON, JAMES QUIL- in this bill. The illogic of the argu- museums provide a quality of outdoor LEN, DAVID DREIER, PORTER GOSS, JOHN ments that have been offered on this life and experience for millions of LINDER, DEBORAH PRYCE, LINCOLN DIAZ- point is profound, if not comic. Here is Americans. BALART, SCOTT MCINNIS, and ENID how it goes. I commend the gentleman from Ohio WALDHOLTZ all voted to give the First, let us dillydally for months on [Mr. REGULA], the chairman, and cer- Speaker the power to call a recess. even getting this bill to the floor of the tainly there is no other chairman that I urge my colleagues to sustain the House of Representatives, having wast- I know of that would write a more fair President’s veto. This is not about ed months and months on extraneous and equitable bill than the gentleman good policymaking. This is about the business at the first part of the first from Ohio [Mr. REGULA], the chairman. continued efforts to force all of us to session of this Congress. That is what I commend him for his hard work in do what that freshman class wants happened on this bill. crafting this spending bill for our Na- done. We cannot allow that to happen. Second, then let us yield control of tion’s national parks, national forests, I think we are more responsible than much of the substance of the bill in public lands, and national wildlife ref- that. conference to some of the most ex- uges during these times of budget con- And if they decide to recess, let them treme anti-environmental forces and straints. The Interior appropriations go home. But the people on this side of have it rejected, not once but twice, bill provides similar operating funds as the aisle, my colleagues in the Demo- taking additional weeks, not because of in 1995, as we did previously, for na- cratic Party, I believe, will stay here. the President of the United States but tional parks and monuments. We will stay here and do the work of because moderate Members of the ma- We will later today take up legisla- the people rather than use those kinds jority party could not swallow the fis- tion to allow State employees to volun- of tactics. cal and environmental outrages in this tarily operate our national parks. I Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield bill. That is what happened. also support this legislation. But this 11⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from New Third, then let us waste several more bill, overriding the President’s veto, is York [Mr. BOEHLERT]. weeks before finally getting a bill to the much better long-range solution to (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given the House that could pass. That is what the problem. permission to revise and extend his re- happened on this bill. One hundred thirty thousand Federal marks.) And, fourth, we then end up 21⁄2 employees are furloughed because of Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise months into the fiscal year, 21⁄2 months the President’s veto of this bill. These in support of this effort to override the late, 21⁄2 months of irresponsible failure people deserve to be back to work, al- President’s veto. In doing so, I must by the majority party to manage the lowing our national parks and forests acknowledge that I agree with the most basic business of the Congress. and cultural institutions to be open. President on one thing: This bill is not That is what happened on this bill. I urge my colleagues to override the perfect. But guess what? The legisla- Fifth, we then wait another month President’s veto and support this bill. tive process is not about producing leg- after that, 31⁄2 months into the fiscal Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield the islation that one side or another views year, 31⁄2 months late, 31⁄2 months of balance of my time to the distin- as perfect. The legislative process is failure by the majority to manage the guished gentlewoman from California about getting the most reasonable business of the House, and then we [Ms. WATERS]. compromise possible among competing bring up a veto override and have the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. viewpoints. temerity to suggest that it is the LAHOOD). The gentlewoman from Cali- We need to remember the old adage, President’s fault for the circumstances fornia [Ms. WATERS] is recognized for 2 ‘‘The perfect is the enemy of the good.’’ that we are in? Give me a break. minutes. This bill represents a reasonable com- An absolutely astounding, stunning Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, the Re- promise. act of political chutzpah, to suggest publican gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Take the issue of the Tongass Na- that having failed in our responsibil- REGULA] has offered a motion to dis- tional Forest on which I worked. This ities for 31⁄2 months to take care of the charge from committee the Interior ap- bill would allow the planning process January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 111 to continue unimpeded. This bill would the Dole proposal to open the Govern- Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the allow science to determine the acreage ment, and that a motion to reconsider gentleman for yielding time to me. and the allowable sale quantity that be considered as laid on the table. I also thank the chair of the commit- will eventually be permitted in the for- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under tee who does outstanding work and is est. This bill allows for the set-aside of the guidelines consistently issued by an outstanding chair, but I must rise to additional environmentally sensitive successive Speakers and recorded on urge that we not override the veto. habitat conservation areas. And this page 534 of the House Rules Manual, The veto is there because the Presi- bill would allow lawsuits to challenge the Chair is constrained not to enter- dent found that there were things in the controversial alternative P forest tain the gentleman’s request until it this bill that were broken, that need management plan. has been cleared by the bipartisan floor fixing, and we in Congress can fix those Did we make some compromises to and committee leaderships. things. The President rejected the achieve these goals? Of course we did. f clear-cutting of the Tongass National We made reasonable compromises with MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE Forest. The President rejected the legislators with opposing views to pro- jeopardizing of the Columbia River tect the long-run health of the forests A message from the Senate by Mr. Basin ecosystem management plan. and the integrity of the planning proc- Lundregan, one of its clerks, an- The President recognized that this bill ess. nounced that the Senate had passed kills the California Desert Protection Let me repeat that. We made reason- without amendment a bill of the House Act that Congress enacted last year. able compromises with legislators with of the following title: This bill prohibits the protection of opposing views to protect the long- H.J. Res. 153. Joint resolution making fur- the habitat for endangered species and ther continuing appropriations for the fiscal further prohibits any further listing of range health of the forests and the in- year 1996, and for other purposes. endangered species. This bill walks tegrity of the planning process. f I urge an override. away from the commitment of the In- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR dian Health Service and Indian edu- myself the balance of my time. AND RELATED AGENCIES APPRO- cation. It walks away from the Na- I just want to say, in response to the PRIATIONS ACT, 1996—VETO MES- tional Endowment for the Arts and the gentlewoman from California, that we SAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF Humanities. In particular let us talk have been negotiating with the admin- THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. about that for a moment. istration on a continuous basis. Some NO. 104–147) I think the shutdown of the Federal of the changes were in response to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Government has drawn national atten- their requests. The only problem is finished business is the further consid- tion to the importance that the arts they kept moving the goal posts. eration of the veto message of the play particularly here in Washington, I thought it was interesting that it President of the United States on the DC. Indeed our country has said that took them 6 hours after they vetoed bill (H.R. 1977) making appropriations these things are important. This bill the bill to decide what the veto mes- for the Department of the Interior and cuts funding for those important pro- sage would say, because I think they related agencies for the fiscal year end- grams. This bill was vetoed because had some problems. They recognized it ing September 30, 1996, and for other Congress failed to hear the rec- was a good bill, and yet they felt that purposes. ommendations of the White House con- they had a commitment to close the The Clerk read the title of the bill. ference on tourism which met here just parks and close the forests and close The SPEAKER pro tempore. The a few months ago, the private sector, the Smithsonian and close the Holo- question is, Will the House, on recon- at the invitation of the President, to caust and close the National Gallery of sideration, pass the bill, the objections recommend to Congress and to the ex- Art. And so, after finally pondering as of the President to the contrary not- ecutive department of how we should to why they did veto the bill, we got a withstanding. best support tourism in the United veto message late in the day. The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. REG- States. This bill undermines those rec- I say to my colleagues that are won- ULA] is recognized for 1 hour. ommendations. dering procedurally, we are not going b 1200 So my colleagues, this committee to call for a vote on this motion to dis- has worked hard. It has an outstanding Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, for the chair and outstanding members be- charge the bill from the appropriations purpose of debate only, I yield the cus- cause it has recognized the interest of process, and we will go into the next tomary 30 minutes to the gentleman hour of debate on the override itself. special interests in this and is cer- from Illinois [Mr. YATES]. But I hope at that time the 89 Members Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot of tainly a bill that ought to be vetoed, as of the minority party that voted to debate on this subject. I have a number it was by the President. I ask my col- override the President for the securi- of Members that would like to speak on leagues to sustain that veto. ties lawyers will vote to override the it, so I will reserve my remarks for the Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 President for the people. closing. minutes to the gentleman from Michi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gan [Mr. EHLERS]. objection, the previous question is or- gentleman from California [Mr. CAL- Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank dered. VERT]. the gentleman from Ohio for yielding There was no objection. Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I just time to me. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The want to urge my colleagues to support Mr. Speaker, I happen to be a question is on the motion offered by the motion to override. For the sake of staunch environmentalist. I opposed the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. REGULA]. the American people we need to reopen this bill in some earlier versions. In The motion was agreed to. our national treasures. There is no fact, Members may recall that this is A motion to reconsider was laid on good reason why the parks are closed. the third try which finally managed to the table. There is no good reason why the monu- get past the House. I voted against it f ments are closed. There is no reason the first two times because I was con- why our constituents here in Washing- cerned about environmental issues. But EXTENSION OF MOST-FAVORED- I am satisfied that this bill in its NATION STATUS TO BULGARIA ton cannot go to some of the great places around this District. present form is the best bill we are Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- This bill is fair, balanced. It protects going to get out of the House. I believe mous consent to take from the Speak- our natural resources while ensuring a that the environmentalist concerns are er’s table the bill (H.R. 1643) to author- fair return to the American taxpayers. largely satisfied. ize the extension of nondiscriminatory I urge all my colleagues to support the In regard to the National Endowment treatment—most-favored-nation treat- motion to override. for the Humanities, I was also one of ment—to the products of Bulgaria, Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 those who worked to maintain funding with the Senate amendment thereto, minutes to the gentleman from Califor- for the National Endowment for the and concur in the Senate amendment, nia [Mr. FARR]. Humanities. In fact, we managed to get H 112 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 it increased considerably over some of Innovative companies like Whirlpool, tury-long global warming trend is being the earlier proposals. Frigidaire, and Maytag support the caused by mostly by human influence, a be- Once again, I believe this is the best Federal efficiency standards and are lief he reiterated yesterday. bill that we can get from this House as developing new technologies that lead Other experts would go no further than the recent findings of a United Nations panel of it relates to funding for that organiza- to more efficient appliances. Unfortu- scientists in attributing the continuing and tion. I read the veto message from the nately, other companies have not accelerating warming trend to human activ- President, and to me it seems like a stepped up to the challenge and now ity—specifically the emission of heat-trap- rather thin veto message. I suspect if want Congress to reward their poor ping gases like carbon dioxide, which is re- this bill had hit his desk by itself and performance. leased by the burning of coal, petroleum not in the company of the other two This rider brushes aside consumer in- products and wood. bills he vetoed the same day, this bill terests, technological innovation, and The United Nations panel concluded, for would have been signed and passed into environmental protection to please a the first time, that the observed warming is law because the objections are not that select group of companies who have ‘‘unlikely to be entirely natural in origin’’ and that the evidence ‘‘suggests a discernible strong. lobbied for a special interest gift. The human influence on climate.’’ I believe it is very important that we winners are the whiners—the least effi- Previously, few scientists apart from Dr. vote to override the President’s veto on cient companies, the ones that pollute Hansen had been willing to go even that far, this bill. It is important that we open the most. The losers, again, are our contending that the relatively small warm- our national parks, our wildlife ref- constituents who are being threatened ing so far could easily be a result of natural uges, our national forests, put 130,000 with policies they do not support that climate variability. Even now, most experts Federal employees back to work, open would deplete our natural resources say it is unclear whether human activity is our museums and the Smithsonian in and bring great harm to our environ- responsible for a little of the warming or a lot. particular do a good service to the ment. ‘‘I think we’re beginning to see it,’’ Dr. American public by once again allow- This is awful policy, and it should be Phil Jones of the Climatic Research Unit at ing them to use and visit these na- deleted from this bill. Support the East Anglia said of the human influence on tional treasures which we have. President’s veto. climate, adding that he agreed with the I urge my colleagues, particularly [From the New York Times, Jan. 4, 1996] United Nations report. those on the other side of the aisle, ’95 THE HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD AS THE ‘‘I don’t think you can say much from one who are concerned about these issues GLOBAL TREND KEEPS UP year’s values,’’ he said, ‘‘but this figure from to recognize that this bill in its present (By William K. Stevens) ’91 to ’95 is quite illuminating.’’ He said it was nearly half a degree above the 1961–90 form is a good bill, certainly the best The earth’s average surface temperature benchmark average of 58 degrees. we are likely to get through this Con- climbed to a record high last year, according Both the 1995 record high temperature and gress, and I urge them to override the to preliminary figures, bolstering scientists’ the strikingly warm half-decade of the early President’s veto and put this into ef- sense that the burning of fossil fuels is 1990’s are ‘‘consistent with the sort of expec- fect. warming the climate. tation we have of the interplay between nat- Spells of cold, snow and ice like the ones Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 ural and manmade influences.’’ said Dr. Tom this winter in the northeastern United M.L. Wigley of the National Center for At- minutes to the distinguished gen- States come and go in one region or another, tleman from California [Mr. WAXMAN]. as do periods of unusual warmth. But the net mospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. If (Mr. WAXMAN asked and was given result globally made 1995 the warmest year things had not turned out that way, he said, permission to revise and extend his re- since records first were kept in 1856, says a ‘‘we would have been pretty surprised and marks.) provisional report issued by the British Me- maybe a little concerned’’ about the United Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge teorological Office and the University of Nations panel’s conclusion. Nevertheless, he said, ‘‘it’s not the sort of thing you want to my colleagues to sustain President East Anglia. The average temperature was 58.72 degrees overinterpret or overemphasize.’’ Clinton’s veto of the Interior appro- Dr. Wigley was a member of a subcommit- priations bill. The legislative riders in Fahrenheit, according to the British data, seven-hundredths of a degree higher than the tee of the United Nations panel that dealt H.R. 1977 mandate extreme changes in previous record, established in 1990. specifically with the question of detecting a national environmental policy that The British figures, based on land and sea human role in climate change. cannot stand public scrutiny on their measurements around the world, are one of The panel predicted that the heat-trapping own. Otherwise, they would not be hid- two sets of long-term data by which surface gas emissions would cause the average global den in this funding bill. temperature trends are being tracked. temperature, now approaching 60 degrees One of the riders in H.R. 1977 would The other, maintained by the NASA God- Fahrenheit, to rise by a further 1.8 to 6.3 de- dard Institute for Space Studies in New grees, with a best estimate of 3.6 degrees, by end a hugely successful energy-effi- 2100. ciency program that was enacted 8 York, shows the average 1995 temperature at 59.7 degrees, slightly ahead of 1990 as the By comparison the world is 5 to 9 degrees years ago during the Reagan adminis- warmest year since record-keeping began in warmer now than in the last ice age more tration. At that time, a broad industry 1866. But the difference is within the margin than 10,000 years ago. The predicted warm- coalition that included all major appli- of sampling error, and the two years essen- ing, if it materializes, would likely cause ance manufacturers agreed to effi- tially finished neck and neck. widespread climatic disruption, the United ciency standards to make refrigerators, The preliminary Goddard figures differ Nations panel said. The margin of seven-hundredths of a de- washing machines, air conditioners, from the British ones because they are based on a somewhat different combination of sur- gree by which the 1995 global average exceeds dishwashers, and gas furnaces more ef- that of 1990, according to the new British ficient. On average, these Federal effi- face temperature observations around the world. data, sounds small. But it represents an in- ciency standards have brought savings One year does not a trend make, but the crease of nearly half a degree from the post of $1,300 per U.S. household—a total of British figures show the years 1991 through Pinatubo low, in 1992. As scientists had pre- $130 billion in economic savings. 1995 to be warmer than any similar five-year viously predicted, the recovery from the Why would Congress terminate a pro- period, including the two half-decades of the Pinatubo cooling became obvious last year, gram that has brought such great sav- 1980’s, the warmest decade on record. though no record was set. ings to our constituents and dramati- This is so even though a sun-reflecting The 1995 figure is all the more remarkable, cally reduced emissions of carbon diox- haze cast aloft by the 1991 eruption of Mount Dr. Hansen said, because it was established at a time when two natural warming influ- ide and other gases that contribute to Pinatubo in the Philippines cooled the earth substantially for about two years. Despite ences were neutralized. The solar energy global warming? It is not because glob- the post-Pinatubo cooling, the Goddard data cycle was at a low ebb, and the warming ef- al warming is not a problem. Today’s show the early 1990’s to have been nearly as fect of El Nin˜ o, the pool of warm Pacific New York Times reports that last year warm as the late 1980’s, which Goddard says water that appeared in early 1995, was offset was the warmest year since records was the warmest half-decade on record. by a turn to cooler-than-normal conditions were first kept in 1856; and that the Dr. James E. Hansen, the director of the in the tropical Pacific later in the year. years 1991 through 1995 were warmer Goddard center, predicted last year that a A different picture emerges from an analy- than any similar 5-year period on new global record would be reached before sis of satellite measurements of global tem- perature by Dr. John R. Christy of the Uni- record. Why would we raise the cost of 2000, and yesterday he said he now expected that ‘‘we will still get at least a couple versity of Alabama and Dr. Roy Spencer of energy to our constituents to allow for more’’ by then. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in greater pollution of their environment Dr. Hansen has been one of only a few sci- Hunstville, Ala. While their data show tem- and an increase in global warming? entists to maintain steadfastly that a cen- perature fluctuations roughly paralleling January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 113 those in the surface measurements, the val- In the Department of Energy, this is good science. That is the kind of thing ues are lower: 1995 was only an ordinary year a department where the administra- that we have seen here today, the kind compared with the data set’s 1982–91 average. tion’s idea of conservation is charter- of hypocrisy that we have heard about. But that was a warm period to start with, I urge my colleagues to vote to over- said Dr. Christy. And, Dr. Jones said, the ing jets for Hazel O’Leary to fly to satellite measurements combine tempera- South Africa, in the Department of En- ride this veto. ture readings for the entire lower atmos- ergy they said the Energy Information Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 phere, rather than measuring just at the sur- Administration needed to be much minute to the gentleman from Texas face, while the most prominent warming— closer to the House funding level. We [Mr. COLEMAN]. over the Northern Hemisphere continents— added $7.5 million. We split the dif- (Mr. COLEMAN asked and was given does not extend very far upward. That expla- ference between the Senate and the permission to revise and extend his re- nation of the difference in the data sets marks.) ‘‘makes sense,’’ Dr. Christy said, adding, ‘‘Of House. It is a compromise which all ap- propriation bills represent, as they Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Re- course we only live in the bottom’’ of the at- publicans just do not get it. They do mosphere. have in the past, as they do this year. In the past, skeptics about global warming In the Forest Service they said they not get it. They do not understand. have cited the satellite data. But Dr. Christy needed to increase the stewardship in- Some of us served in the majority said that even the rate of warming measured centive program to double the Senate under Republican Presidents and when from the satellites has begun to move into level. We did not double the Senate a bill was vetoed because the Presi- the range scientists expect to result from dent, by the way, has that authority in human-caused warming. level. But we provided $4.5 million, whereas the House had not originally the Constitution of the United States, Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, will the they are not the President, the major- provided that. gentleman yield? Then some of the key legislative ap- ity is not the President, the majority Mr. WAXMAN. I yield to the gen- propriation items, they said they need- does not run the whole country, believe tleman from Minnesota. it or not, I know that is hard to accept, Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I commend ed to have the House mining patent moratorium. Yes, we went back and especially by their freshman Repub- the gentleman for this, his observation. licans, but I have got to tell them There are many things, all these riders forth on that and twice in this House took this issue to the floor here. But it something. When the President vetoes do not belong in a spending bill. This is a bill, what we try to do is work out is in there. So it is an item that the not just about spending. It is about bad what it is that we need to do in order President said that he needed to have policy and it is about bad priorities in to see to it that the President can sign in there. Tongass, I will not discuss this bill. the bill. We negotiate. In fact, the veto of this bill was not that. It has been discussed enough here Instead what they have taken the po- even a close call, I would not think, of on the floor. It is a compromise be- sition of doing is saying, it is our way the President. What has happened here tween the two positions. or no way. So let us not do this hype The California Desert, the adminis- is we have had Republicans in the business about the reason that parks tration said they needed to have the House and Senate, after 14 months, are closed is because the President ve- National Park Service in charge, that agreeing with themselves and not mak- toes a bill. Some of us have served in ing any effort or not a substantial the House language would not work. the majority under Republican Presi- enough of an effort to in fact come to We modified the language so that the dents who have had to deal with vetoed resolution on these issues which have park service can use planning and use legislation. We did not shut the Gov- been 30 years of environmental policy of seasonal employees. The Bureau of ernment down for 3 weeks like Repub- by both Democrats and Republicans, Land Management will operate it in its licans are about to do. Is it not about Presidents and Congresses. coming fiscal year while they are de- 21 days? I think so, 19 or 20. So I just Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield veloping the plan for management of say to my colleagues, try to under- 1 it. 3 ⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from Ari- stand the process. It is called the Con- zona [Mr. KOLBE], an excellent member The administration said they needed stitution of the United States. of our subcommittee. Senate language on AmeriCorps, and it Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 (Mr. KOLBE asked and was given per- has the Senate language on minutes to the gentleman from Califor- mission to revise and extend his re- AmeriCorps. The administration said it nia [Mr. RADANOVICH] marks.) needed to have the grazing reform mor- Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the atorium for a maximum of 90 days and am a Republican freshman and I am gentleman for yielding time to me. it retains the moratorium for a maxi- very proud of it. I made a decision re- Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about mum of 90 days. cently to not pass continuing resolu- the importance of overriding the Presi- Mr. Speaker, this bill is one that we tions until we got the President to deal dent’s veto of the Interior appropria- can support. It is one that represents a realistically about a balanced budget tions bill. I want to take a couple of compromise between the interests. It is scored in 7 years. minutes to talk about some of the ne- one that represents an opportunity to However, upon that decision, that led gotiations that went on with this ad- fund the vital agencies of this Govern- to the closure of Yosemite National ministration, because I think it is an ment, and I urge my colleagues to vote Park in my district. Not only do my important illustration of the problem yes, to put Federal employees back to Federal employees suffer, but also the we are facing on the entire budget. work, to open the national parks. communities of Mariposa, Oakhurst, Back in September, before these bills Let me take my remaining time to Coarsegold, Three Rivers, and Auberry. had finished their work in the House say one word about the issue that has Private property owners, private busi- and the Senate, there was a discussion been raised about Mount Graham be- nessmen who are not being, who will between staff and between the chair- cause there too is a good example of not be repaid, one motel owner Jerry men with the administration about the kind of back and forth that this ad- Fisher has lost a quarter of a million some of their key funding priorities. ministration has done over the last 6 dollars so far. Here is what they said about some of years. For last 6 years the Justice De- I am proud of what I am doing and them. Here is what the conference did. partment of three administrations has what I stand for. My community is suf- On the Bureau of Indian Affairs, defended the position of this Congress fering. I ask my colleagues to override something that affects my State tre- and of the administration to build this veto. This is a reasonable bill. It is mendously, the administration said those telescopes on Mount Graham in a a fair compromise. It should not be they needed a minimum of $110 million way that protected the red squirrel and used as a pawn in this game. I want more, and we ended up giving $135 mil- allowed science to go forward. To say this bill overridden. lion more, $111 to the Senate level for no now to that after we had passed it Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 the BIA and we added $25 million to the and made it very clear that that is minutes to the gentleman from New Indian Health Service. So we added what we intended to do is to say no si- Mexico [Mr. RICHARDSON]. more than the administration said was multaneously to protecting the squir- (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was necessary in order to meet their objec- rel, to protecting the environment, to given permission to revise and extend tions to that. the endangered species and to say no to his remarks.) H 114 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, to keep providing the cultural, edu- conservation is to enhance the environ- there are policy reasons why this bill cational, and artistic programs that ment conducive in the private sector to should be rejected, serious and substan- enrich America’s communities large look for the technology to do that. We tial policy reasons. There are three and small. cannot do everything here in Govern- basic broad reasons. Mr. Speaker, we have seen poll after ment. First, this is a bill that is unaccept- poll say that the American people care Native Americans. We increased the able because it would unduly restrict about the environment, and hopefully amount of money from what the Presi- our ability to protect our natural re- there are moderate forces on that side, dent wanted. Now, if we look at native sources and our cultural heritage. The on the majority side, that will see that Americans and we look at reservations second reason this bill does not pro- and are seeing that, and I acknowledge today, I think we are improving the mote the technology that we need for several Members from midwestern, quality of life for native Americans. long-term energy conservation and eco- from eastern States that recognize I want to say something quick about nomic growth. that there is no reason why we should Tongass. The President did not like the Third, the one perhaps most impor- not keep our commitments to the envi- fact that there could not be legal chal- tant to me and many others that have ronment. lenges. We changed that. We moderated native American populations in their There is no reason to sign bad bills. that. States, is that this bill seriously under- The President constitutionally can The President did not like the fact mines our commitment to provide ade- veto bad policy bills, and the argument that we were not going to protect gos- quate health, educational and other just does not wash that, if we just sign hawks, we did not have conservation services to native Americans. this bill, everyone will go back to work areas. We changed that. We now have Let me also talk about the Tongass. at the national parks or the BLM. those changes. I have been to the Tongass. Just be- There are no good reasons to sign this There is a lot of discussion about how cause you may represent that area does bill. is there going to be clear-cutting. not mean that you have all the wisdom I come from a Western State, and I There is nothing in the bill that states of that area. In the Tongass, this bill realize many of my colleagues on that there is going to be clear-cutting, and would allow harmful clear-cutting, re- side will disagree. This is a bad bill for the Forest Service manages the way Western States that want quality of quire the sale of timber at the trees are going to be cut, and I life, that want to have balance on tim- unsustainable levels. And it would dic- trust this Interior Department so that ber harvesting and mining and grazing. tate the need for an outdated forest there will not be clear-cutting. I urge rejection of this bill. I think we ought to override the plan for the next fiscal year. Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 President’s veto. In the Columbia River basin, the bill minutes to the gentleman from Mary- Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- would impede implementation of a land [Mr. GILCHREST]. comprehensive plan. The result, Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I self 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, I have the greatest re- gridlock, court challenges on timber thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. spect for the gentleman from Maryland harvesting, grazing, mining and other REGULA] for yielding this time to me. important activities. I would like to respond to the last [Mr. GILCHREST]. I know that he is a In the California Desert, the bill un- couple of speakers. One a couple a reasonable person and that he goes into dermines our designation of the Mojave speakers ago said Republicans do not these issues very carefully. I think he National Preserve by cutting funding get it. I would hope that we, and, as my has come to the wrong conclusion if he for the preserve and shifting respon- colleagues know, this place is inher- believes that the environmental defi- sibility for its management from the ently political, so we are going to talk cits of this bill have been settled. If it Park Service to the BLM. The bill about politics here, and politics enters were true, that there were no environ- would also put a misguided morato- into the veins of what goes on in this mental flaws and big environmental rium on future listings and critical House, but I do not see this Interior flaws in this bill, why then would the habitat designations under the Endan- bill as a political issue. I see this Inte- Audubon Society, the Sierra Club, Na- gered Species Act. The bill slashes rior bill as an issue to get the Nation ture Conservancy, the Wilderness Soci- funding for DOE’s energy conservation back to work, to open up the Park ety, Defenders of Wildlife all be op- program so our commitment to energy Service, to talk about legitimate pol- posed to this bill? conservation and renewable energy icy differences, and it is my under- Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the once again is suspect. standing that basically we worked out gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. ABER- Native Americans perhaps are hit the the policy differences before the bill CROMBIE]. worst than anybody. If you look at the left the House floor. There was a great (Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was effect of the shutdown, it is native deal of discussion on this for a period given permission to revise and extend Americans that are suffering the most. of many weeks, so I think we solved his remarks.) This bill would make it worse. Funding those problems, and, as a representa- Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I for Indian Health Service totally inad- tive of the State of Maryland, I think appreciate the gentleman yielding this equate, Indian education programs, the Interior bill is not a perfect bill, it time to me, and the reason that I asked cuts at BIA programs that are impor- is not an excellent bill. It is a moderate for the time was to reply to the rather tant for child welfare, adult vocational approach to solve the problems of the astounding claim for preferential training, law enforcement, detention Federal lands, and I think it should be treatment by the gentleman from Cali- services, community fire protection voted on, and I think we should over- fornia representing the area around and general assistance to low income ride the Presidential veto. Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Indian individuals and families. On a couple of the policy differences, County, and adjoining counties. I fail restricting our natural resources with to understand how the gentleman can b 1215 this bill I do not think is correct. I come to the well of the House and say Moreover, the bill would unfairly sin- think this bill goes a long way in en- that he is proud to be a Republican gle out certain self-governance tribes hancing the policies to improve the freshman who is going to impose or try in Washington State for punitive treat- natural resources of the United States. to impose his ideology over the welfare ment. Specifically, it would penalize It is not perfect, but there is no utopia. of the general citizenry and at the these tribes financially for using legal Let us move in the right direction. same time ask us now to override the remedies in disputes with non-tribal This did not take a huge step in the President’s veto because people in his owners of land within reservations. right direction, but it did take a couple district are hurting, because business Finally, the bill represents a dra- of steps in the right direction. We con- in his district is hurting. matic departure from our commitment tinue to work on this to promote tech- I think I can speak about tourism at to support for the arts and humanities. nology for conservation. I think we least as well as the gentleman from It cuts funding of the National Endow- have shifted in the right direction. California, having represented the No. ments for the Arts and Humanities so One of the things this country can 1 tourist destination area in the world deeply as to jeopardize their capacity do, this Government can do, to enhance for more time in more legislative January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 115 venues than anybody in this Congress. who are Federal workers, but he hurts it does provide funding for such impor- When we cannot issue visas, we cannot people who are non-Federal workers tant functions as management of our get people to come to this country, let who rely on the forest for jobs. Nation’s parks and refuges which, I alone to Hawaii to be able to help with In addition I have to ask the question think, is very, very important. The our balance of trade deficit. Tourism is of my friends on the other side, ‘‘Who American people want a balanced budg- the positive force in that area, and yet is thinking about the jobs of the people et, and all areas of the Government someone can come here to the floor and who are non-Federal employees?’’ Any- must contribute toward this goal, and say, ‘‘Your people stay out or work, one who votes to override this veto will they want their parks and refuges but put my people back to work,’’ and think about and will support jobs in open. As long as the President’s veto is then claim some kind of moral high the private sector that would come able to stand, our Nation’s treasured ground in a political debate about about by this signing, overriding this 369 parks and 504 refuges will remain being proud to shut the country down, bill, and also the people in the public closed, and the people who we hire to standing up for the principle of I want sector, and I urge my colleagues to manage them will be out of work. mine, but my colleagues do not get vote to override this veto. b 1230 theirs? Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Some people have come into this minutes to the distinguished gen- These parks and refuges are funded Congress happy that they have never tleman from Massachusetts [Mr. MAR- by millions of American taxpayers’ had any legislative experience, citing KEY]. dollars who paid for them with en- that as some kind of virtue. I think Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, the trance fees, excise taxes, duck stamps that kind of claim is so blatantly ex- President was wise in vetoing this bill. and income tax payments. It is unfair posed with that kind of rhetoric to This is terrible energy policy, terrible for the American people to continue to come here on the floor and say, ‘‘I want environmental policy. It is an all-out be shut out of these lands. mine. I don’t want to take responsibil- assault upon the environment in our No bill is perfect. Would I write this ity for what I’m doing to the rest of country. We can go down the litany one differently? Yes, I would. But it the people of this country, but help me from Tongass to California Desert, does achieve two primary goals: It pro- out because I have got a political prob- through all of the parks decisions vides funding to maintain the park and lem.’’ which are made under the guise of an refuge system, and it moves us toward I say to my colleagues, ‘‘Shame on appropriations bill, but there is a 50 the all-important goal of a balanced you, grow up, learn what a legislature percent cut in money for low income budget. is all about.’’ weatherization, thousands, thousands I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ so Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 of poor and elderly across this country Americans can once again have access minutes to the gentleman from Wash- dependent upon this money—cut 50 per- to the parks and refuges for which they ington [Mr. NETHERCUTT], an excellent cent for the poor in this appropriations have paid. member of our subcommittee. bill. The energy efficiency standards Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, I that were put on the books in 1987, 1989, minutes to the distinguished gen- am happy to strongly support over- 1991, which have improved the effi- tleman from Minnesota [Mr. VENTO]. riding this Presidential veto that the ciency of stoves, of refrigerators, and (Mr. VENTO asked and was given President has signed recently on this people say, ‘‘Who cares?’’ I will tell my permission to revise and extend his re- particular bill that affects so many colleagues who cares. Because of those marks.) people in the Department of Interior. laws we have saved 4 billion barrels of Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in As my colleagues know, we have oil from having to be imported in the opposition to the motion to override heard a lot of talk about putting Fed- United States from Saudi Arabia and the President’s veto. The fact is that eral workers back to work, Mr. Speak- Kuwait, 4 billion in the last 8 years. We this, as I said earlier, is not a close er, in the Department of Interior and saved the need for us to build 50 500- call. I understand, and I think most agencies that come under the Depart- megawatt nuclear power plants in this Members understand, there is a new ment of Interior, and I am all for that. country. We saved consumers in this majority in this House. We understand I think it is time that we do that, but country $132 billion in electricity costs, there is not enough money in the Park I think we have to understand that the untold billions of dollars in nuclear Service or the BLM or the Forest Serv- President of the United States, in the power plants that would have had to ice, and some of that I guess I do not stroke of his veto pen, sealed the fate have been constructed, and they say, like. They are not my priorities, if that of Federal workers, but he also sealed well, this is just a small compromise. was all that this bill did in terms of the fate of non-Federal workers who No new energy standards for any re- changing funding, if it did not target rely on the forests for their livelihood. frigerator, or stove, or light bulb, when things like the Low-Income Energy As- The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. REG- we know the gains that are made by sistance Program for the poor. ULA] and a lot of Democrats and Repub- working smarter and not harder in en- I, as a Representative, feel a special licans worked very heard to present a vironment, in energy efficiency in en- obligation to defend and represent the bill to the President that would be ac- ergy. powerless in our society, not the pow- ceptable, and I heard the gentleman This is terrible policy. It is a direct erful, the special interests. But this from Ohio [Mr. REGULA] say earlier assault upon the environment of this bill goes way beyond that. today that the goalpost had moved, country. This bill must be vetoed, the We have heard a litany of suggestions and they consistently moved during veto must be sustained, if we are to about the fact that if we do not pass an the negotiation period. That is true. have an environment in this country appropriations bill, the parks cannot We made a special effort to talk to the that is worth respecting. open up, the refuges cannot function, President, talk to the Interior Depart- Please, instead of having the EPA the Smithsonian remains closed. That ment and get a bill that would be ac- turn into every polluter’s ally, support is because, of course, the majority in ceptable to everybody, and we sent it the President and sustain the veto. this body will not take up the Dole res- down to the White House, and the Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 olution which, in fact, would provide a President, as I say, as my colleagues minutes to the gentleman from New CR, which is the normal course of what know, boldly strokes his veto pen and Jersey [Mr. SAXTON]. has been done year in and year out seals the fate of people in the Depart- Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank with few exceptions. This is unprece- ment of Interior and people out of the the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. REGULA] dented, to be in the 20th day of a shut- Department of Interior, and, so I say, for yielding this time to me. down without appropriations. he sealed the fate of non-Federal work- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the The fact of the matter is that this is ers in our Nation’s forests who have motion to override the President’s a sham, the suggestion you could pass been devastated by the no-harvest pol- veto. While it is true that the fiscal this and the parks would be open, be- icy of this administration, and that is year 1996 Interior appropriation bill cause we know that at the end of this the crime here, is that the President in does not provide for the same level of month, the debt ceiling is going to vetoing this bill not only hurts people funding we have seen in previous years, have to be addressed, that issue is H 116 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 going to have to be addressed, and then Instead, these national treasures re- standpoint, from a practicality stand- not just the Park Service, but every- main closed—not because of our inabil- point; and just to illustrate to you that thing, the advocacy here; and make no ity to pass an appropriations bill, but you should not cave in, Carlsbad Cav- mistake about it, I understand it and because the President has refused to erns was kept open because the local you understand it. open them. communities dug up the money with You know what the scheme has been In my district, this means that the the State to keep it open. since last year when the Speaker an- Timucuan National Preserve is closed If you want these people to go back nounced that he would bring the Gov- to the countless visitors it enjoys on a to work in the Federal sector, override ernment to a halt to get what he wants daily basis. The Timucuan Preserve in- these vetoes and put them back to in terms of issues. cludes wetlands, forests, prehistoric ar- work. Now, I do not think that there is any- chaeological sites, and historic sites. As an illustration, and as an exam- thing wrong with a balanced budget. I This veto means that the Fort Caroline ple, the Agriculture Appropriations commend you for the emphasis and ef- National Memorial and Fort Matanzas Subcommittee bill passed. The Depart- fort and impetus that has been brought National Park are unable to accommo- ment of Agriculture is operating today. to that particular issue. I commend date visitors and school children wish- Every bureau, every system that has Ross Perot for the impetus that has ing to learn about the area’s rich 16th anything to do with agriculture is been brought to that. But the fact is century history. Further, the Presi- working today. If you also want to see that a balanced budget and the good dent’s veto means that visitors to the an inconsistency, here is the IRS, one things here with parks and others that Castillo de San Marcos National Monu- of our greatest examples of bureauc- you want to hold up as a shield to de- ment, a historic fort in St. Augustine, racy thievery, extracting from people flect the bad policy that lies behind it are unable to actually enter that his- who are on half-time withholding on is where the concern comes. toric fort. income tax during this period of time. You have to compromise. You have I urge my colleagues to support the Another inconsistency. to address those issues. You cannot override to open our national parks Folks, I think it is about time we step back and suggest that we want a and send these Federal workers back to quit beating ourselves over the head balanced budget; everyone wants that. work. and get down to the business of actu- I would just like to mention to my Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 ally doing something definite about friends, you are not the first that have minute to the distinguished gentleman providing these bills and this legisla- been here with a plan for a balanced from Massachusetts [Mr. MARKEY]. tion by overriding the foolish kind of a budget in 4 years or 5 years or make it Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I do not veto, to stop proposing foolish kinds of 7 years. Intuition? I think not. I think, think that any of us can tolerate the rhetoric and keep our voices down a more, political motivation to justify misrepresentation of why the parks are little bit and have respect for one an- getting reelected. But it is a tough goal closed down. The parks are closed down other. to accomplish. for one very simple reason. The Repub- Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- You cannot justify a balanced budget licans have yet to receive their crown self 30 seconds. with bad policy. Good environmental jewel in the Contract With America, I have the utmost respect for my policy will, in fact, lend itself to which is a $245 billion tax break for the good friend from New Mexico, but I in- achieving that particular balanced rich in America. You guys are holding sist that his was not a foolish veto by budget. But you cannot pour more up the whole Federal government in the President of the United States. There is a difference between a good money into the southeast part of Alas- order to get that. Whether it be the bill and bad bill, and the President rec- ka for building roads and losing money parks or Medicare or student loans, ognized that this was a bad bill. His on timber and all of the other natural you are going to hold your breath until veto was entirely justified, and in spite resources that you have in here; in you get that $245 billion to fulfill your of all of the suggestions that the Presi- other words, in the Pacific Northwest, contract with the country club in dent ought to sign this bill and put reneging on the Columbia Basin. America. Mr. Speaker, science to this group Do not lay off the closing of the Fed- people back to work, it still remains a bad bill, and his act in rejecting it was seems to be very selective. Everybody eral parks on Bill Clinton. All he is totally justified. wants to have more science, but saying is, open the parks, but do not Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the science seems to this new majority to expect me to cut Medicare and student gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. be what the Inquisition was to religion. loans and give a big tax break to the FOGLIETTA]. You just cannot selectively use that. If wealthy as the price for doing it. You (Mr. FOGLIETTA asked and was you wore this bill out in public, you can open the parks this afternoon if given permission to revise and extend would be arrested for indecent expo- you want to, but you do not want to his remarks.) sure. because you cannot as a result stop the Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Federal Government from operating in in strong opposition to this resolution. minutes to the gentlewoman from order to give your huge tax break for The majority leader and the front-run- Florida [Mrs. FOWLER]. the corporate officials and country ning candidate for the Republican nom- (Mrs. FOWLER asked and was given clubs across this country. ination for President right: Enough is permission to revise and extend her re- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 enough. It is time to put the govern- marks.) minutes to the gentleman from New ment back in business again. Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mexico [Mr. SKEEN], a distinguished This override attempt is just public today in strong support of this vote member of our subcommittee. relations. This debate we have been override. We need to reopen our na- (Mr. SKEEN asked and was given per- having over the last month is, what is tional parks, wildlife refuges, muse- mission to revise and extend his re- the Government supposed to do and ums, and monuments. marks.) who is it supposed to help? The fiscal year 1996 appropriations Mr. SKEEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from bill for the Department of the Interior gentleman for yielding me this time. Louisiana [Mr. LIVINGSTON], my friend was vetoed by the President on Decem- Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the and the chairman of the House Com- ber 18. Had it been signed into law— louder the voice, the weaker the argu- mittee on Appropriations, gave away along with the many other appropria- ment, and we have heard a lot of loud just how the Republicans view this de- tions bills that the President has cho- voices. But the basic thing that is bate and how they view our govern- sen to veto—our precious national wrong with this whole exercise is in- ment. That happened right after the parks would be open today. Park consistency. We are lobbing grenades President signed the Defense appro- guides and wildlife managers would be at one another time after time over priations bill. at work as we speak. Children would be every minute issue in every bill, and My dear friend, Mr. LIVINGSTON, said touring our national museums on class this is another veto override that I that the President has lost his nego- trips and history would be relived for think should happen. tiating edge because he and the Demo- the many visitors to our national There is nothing wrong with this bill, crats were the only ones who had an in- monuments. the Interior bill from an environmental terest in the constituencies involved in January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 117 the remaining appropriations bills. But that was far less significant than this Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 that is so wrong. issue. This is a good bill. minute to the gentleman from Oregon The veterans who need health care I invite my friends on both sides of [Mr. BUNN], a member of the sub- are not Democrats; they are Americans the aisle to override the President’s committee. who need our Government. The preg- veto and put these people back to Mr. BUNN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I nant women and the mothers who need work. have listened to the debate with inter- help getting a decent meal for their ba- Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 est, and I have listened as we have been bies are not Democrats; they are Amer- minutes to the gentleman from Min- told that the parks are closed because icans who need our Government. The nesota [Mr. VENTO]. of tax cuts, the parks are closed be- people who count on the government to Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I think the cause of Medicare changes, the parks keep the environment clean are not point is that you can blame whomever are closed because of veterans’ issues. Democrats; they are Americans. And you want. You can blame the House, Maybe I misunderstood, but I the people who yearn to visit our his- you can blame the Senate or the Presi- thought this was the Interior appro- toric sites, our national museums and dent in terms of this measure. It has priations bill that we were talking national parks are not Democrats; they been around, and the fact that commu- about. I served on that committee and are Americans. nication has not gone forward to re- I worked, as we looked at an account- The President was right to veto this solve the differences is clear when we by-account basis, trying to make the bill. It cuts too much and would hurt get a veto from the President. changes, to set the priorities. We did our environment. Let us bring the bill b 1245 save $1.4 billion in this as we moved to- back and do it right. ward balancing the budget. Mr. SKEEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 So whatever the good intentions of I heard speaker after speaker talk minutes to the gentleman from Louisi- my colleagues in trying to iron out the about wanting to balance the budget ana [Mr. LIVINGSTON], the chairman of differences, they did not achieve it. on the other side. But we do not bal- the Committee on Appropriations. Nobody consulted me on this particu- ance the budget unless we take action, (Mr. LIVINGSTON asked and was lar bill. I have worked on this. What is and this budget does take action. It given permission to revise and extend wrong with this is, this is a spending does preserve priorities, and it will get his remarks.) bill but nevertheless it has in it many, 133,000 people back to work if we will Mr. LIVINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, we many policy provisions that should not just vote to override. have an opportunity before us today to be in a spending bill. We have the opportunity today to send 133,000 Federal employees back to And some of the priorities of course open the parks, to open the monu- work and at the same time reopen all in terms of spending, I understand my ments, to open the museums, and stay of the national parks and museums of colleagues’ difficulty, but there is no on track to balancing the budget. It which we have heard so much about in reason to suspend the reform efforts in will not happen with talk. It will hap- recent weeks. I ask my colleagues on terms of the roaded or unroaded areas pen with action. This bill takes the ac- both sides of the aisle to vote for this in the West which are in this bill, to tion necessary. override. suspend the grazing reforms which are Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 A vote ‘‘yes’’ on the override will present in this bill. There is no reason minutes to the gentleman from Massa- also provide welfare assistance to In- to undo the Columbia Basin study chusetts [Mr. MARKEY]. dian children, keep Indian schools open areas and to put that science to use so Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, once and ensure essential services on Indian it can serve us in these needs. There is again, the Government for 200 years reservations. A vote ‘‘yes’’ will con- no reason to address the policy issues. stayed open when a President vetoed a tinue the mining patent moratorium These are measures that do not be- bill. The Congress could sustain the and stop the giveaway of Federal lands. long in a spending bill. These are the veto, the Congress could override the The problem that we have is that riders that are being put in here at the veto, but the Government continued to this was indeed a carefully crafted insistence of extreme individuals in the work. piece of legislation that met demands House and the Senate that do not be- The only reason the Government is from liberals and conservatives, Repub- long in these particular bills and, often shut down is the Republicans have de- licans and Democrats, on both sides of supported by various interest groups, cided, after 200 years, they are going to the Capitol; and despite the fact that it they do not belong in here. use as a technique laying off hundreds was returned to conference on many So you brought into this the fact of thousands of employees and the occasions, when it went to the Presi- that you do not want to bring these is- services that they provide for Ameri- dent, he vetoed it. sues up on the floor and debate them in cans, including their ability to walk Let me underscore that. He vetoed the normal process that is afforded the into national parks across this coun- this bill, and the parks, the museums House and the Senate to consider these try. and all of the other good effects of this issues, so they are being jammed into Why are we going to suspend that bill were shut down for the Christmas this particular proposal. As I said, even constitutional, historical, and success- holidays. He kept 133,000 Federal em- if this bill were to pass and we could ful way of governing this country? Be- ployees from returning to work before open it up, we would be right back to cause there is an emergency in this Christmas. He has shut down the parks the same problem because of the debt country, and the emergency is that the and the Smithsonian and the National ceiling, and you know that that debt one thing the Republicans cannot do is Gallery which now I am glad to see has ceiling is going to be used for the same get this $245 billion tax break for the reopened. He is the one that told the purposes with the same goal. wealthy in America. That is what the native Americans that they cannot get You can wrap yourself in a balanced whole debate is over. welfare assistance for Indian children, budget mantra all you want in terms of The bills which they are insisting funding for Indian schools. So what we no matter how often you repeat it, but upon the President passing include are trying to do is simply fix the prob- it is not going to happen. You cannot other parts of the Contract With Amer- lem. do that with bad policy. You cannot ica which include gutting of environ- We have heard a lot of rhetoric on have a balanced budget, you cannot mental laws. The historical mechanism both sides. The time has come to put deal with the deficit if you are going to by which we change environmental aside the rhetoric. The time has come create an environmental deficit, and laws was through the appropriations to accept a good, a carefully crafted that is what is going on here. process, by which you brought the bill. Much of what has passed as legisla- EPA, Superfund, and the national Understand, this is the best we can tive process this past year has been a parks laws out here separately. They do. Override the President’s veto. Send direct assault, a covert assault, I might do not want to do it that way. We are it back to him. Let us put these people say, on the environment, but neverthe- in emergency, martial law, to get that back to work. Let us open the parks, be less having a devastating effect. That tax break for the wealthy. We will hold done with politics. We have already is why we need to reject this effort to every ordinary Federal employee hos- overridden his veto last week on a bill override. tage. America held hostage to this tax H 118 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 break for the wealthy. That is what it flank for that kind of welfare, that the national parks are closed is the di- is all about. kind of dependency, that kind of denial rect result of bad faith bargaining by We are going to gut environmental of free market tactics. Why do we not President Clinton. This ought to be laws, we are going to cut Medicare, but stand and ask our lumber companies to crystal clear to all of the furloughed we cannot keep the Government going. really determine whether or not on Government workers who are affected For 200 years, and, by the way, there their own, without taxpayer subsidies, by this bill. If the President had not are a lot of things that can be said they go into the Tongass? vetoed this appropriations bill, they about the Democratic Party, but for Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, will the would be back to work and citizens the 60 years we ran this place, the Gov- gentleman yield? who want to visit their national parks ernment did not shut down. Once the Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. I would be having a good time. Republicans get in charge, the whole will yield in one brief moment. The citizens in this country should thing comes down around their ears. Why do we not ask whether foreign take notice. Those who vote against That is why we should sustain the mineral companies would come and this veto override are as responsible for President’s veto and ensure that regu- mine on our lands if in fact they had to this stalemate as the President. lar constitutional process is continued. pay the below-surface value of those Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 mines rather than just the surface minute to the distinguished gentleman minute to the gentleman from Virginia value of those mines? from Massachusetts [Mr. FRANK]. [Mr. DAVIS]. What we have here is the denial of a Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, let me just real corporate kind of equity in Amer- Speaker, we are being given an extraor- say to my friend from Massachusetts, ica. We have a situation where we have dinary constitutional argument, name- this Government closed down nine welfare for the rich and free enterprise ly that when the President of the Unit- times under the Reagan and Bush ad- for the poor. That is the kind of system ed States exercises his constitutional ministrations when Congress did not that the Republicans want to put upon right to veto, he is then to be held re- come up with the appropriate resolu- the people of this country. It is time sponsible for a shutdown of the Govern- tions and there was a veto and an im- that we are consistent with what we ment. That is of course nonsense but it passe. The difference was in those days expect the poor standards to be as well is confirmation of what we have here: that it never lasted longer than 3 days as what we expect the corporate stand- people who want to make very drastic or a weekend because the President ards to be in this country. changes in public policy, who lack the I yield to the gentleman from Ohio. would be up here after a veto trying to Mr. REGULA. Is the gentleman two-thirds that the Constitution says work out the differences. We have not aware there is a moratorium on issuing you need to override a veto, who in the seen that in this case. mining patents which is included in absence of the two-thirds want to hold I think our side is equally respon- this bill? the Government hostage. sible. We ought to bring a continuing Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. I But even on its own terms the argu- resolution and move it through, but I am also aware that the gentleman from ments fail, because the problem is that do not think you are blameless in this. the appropriations bills, this one in- Ohio [Mr. REGULA] was very much in- Frankly, the President can end this volved in trying to get a better law, cluded, were not passed by this con- right here by signing this bill. which he was not successful in convinc- gressional majority until months after The issues that you claim are policy ing his fellow Republicans to do. they were supposed to. We are in a cri- issues are not enough money for weath- What you have essentially done is sis in part because of the absolute in- erization, not enough money for the given them the keys to Fort Knox, you competence of the majority, which National Endowment for the Human- have given them the rights of Fort kept them from passing the great ma- ities, not enough for native Americans, Knox, but you have not asked anybody jority of appropriations bills for but what is in this bill is a lot more to pay for the gold. months, did not get any passed on than what you have got on the table Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 time, or maybe one. That is why we are right now, which is a Government shut- minutes to the gentleman from Iowa in this crisis. down altogether. [Mr. GANSKE]. The Constitution allows the Presi- This bill will put 133,000 Federal Mr. GANSKE. Mr. Speaker, let us put dent to veto a bill, and then we have workers back to work. It will open up into perspective what seems to be one time for him to have the veto override our national parks. It will open up the of the most contentious parts of the In- considered, and then negotiations. U.S. Geological Survey, which is doing terior appropriations bill, harvesting When you wait 21⁄2 months after the a lot of research on earthquakes, on part of the Alaska Tongass Forest. deadline and pass the bill, you have health and safety, water quality assess- If this table represented Alaska, the lost your right to complain about a ment, that is not being done right now. Tongass Forest would represent a post- veto. We have to balance the good this bill age stamp. The area that we are talk- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield does against a few of what I think are ing about for harvesting would rep- 11⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from ideologically driven objections on the resent the size of a pinhead. Is this Louisiana [Mr. TAUZIN]. other side. what the President and the Democratic (Mr. TAUZIN asked and was given Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Members of this body are willing to permission to revise and extend his re- minutes to the gentleman from Massa- close down the Government about? marks.) chusetts [Mr. KENNEDY]. I lived in the Pacific Northwest for a Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, we are in Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. number of years. There should be bal- this crisis on this bill I think for one Speaker, I have listened with great in- ance in weighing the benefits of log- reason. It probably was summarized in terest over the course of the last sev- ging versus the environment. This bill a letter the President sent to the Sen- eral months to the passion with which makes reasonable compromises in the ate committee considering the bill on the Republicans have attacked the wel- use of this forest, and I respect Mem- property rights. fare system of this country, talking bers such as the gentleman from New His letter said, ‘‘I don’t care how you time and time again about a system of York [Mr. BOEHLERT] and the gen- modify the bill, I don’t care how you dependency, a system which instead of tleman from Maryland [Mr. modify the environmental reform that breaking a cycle of poverty in fact GILCHREST], who are strong environ- the House passed, I will veto that bill. maintains a cycle of poverty. mentalists and who support this bill. I will stand in the schoolhouse door But it is interesting to me that when We should vote to override this veto. and veto any environmental reform be- we talk about a different form of wel- Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to cause I don’t want to see any changes fare, a welfare where taxpayers are some of the rhetoric that has been on in the status quo.’’ We see it reflected robbed of their paychecks in order to the floor this morning. The President’s here. The President of the United pay huge subsidies to our mining com- veto has more to do with politics than States has said, ‘‘I don’t like the envi- panies, in order to pay huge subsidies with the substance of this bill. ronmental reforms, I don’t want any to our timber companies, all of a sud- Now in the 20th day of current par- more trees cut in the Tongass Forest, den there is quiet on the Republican tial Government shutdown, the reason so I will put 133,000 workers at risk of January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 119 not going to work because I am going Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 work or Federal workers out of em- to veto this bill.’’ seconds to the gentleman from North ployment can change that fact. That it This President is not about to nego- Carolina [Mr. HEFNER]. is a bad bill was recognized on two oc- tiate these changes. He is simply Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, but the casions by the House in voting to re- against them. He has promised his en- point I am making, the gentleman commit the bill. The President was vironmental friends he will stand in stood in the well and he said the Presi- right in vetoing this bill. It is a bad the schoolhouse door and veto bill after dent said, I will put 133,000 people out bill, and his veto should not be over- bill after bill that makes any attempt of work. I do not believe he has that in ridden. to modestly restrain the environ- print from the President of the United Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield mental extremists who have written States. I do not care what rhetoric he myself the balance of my time. some of these laws and regulations into uses about a letter that he sent to the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. existence. He will veto risk assessment/ other body. Show me in print where LAHOOD). The gentleman from Ohio cost-benefit analysis, he will veto prop- the President of the United States said, [Mr. REGULA] is recognized for 41⁄2 min- erty rights, he will veto reforms in en- I will put 133,000 people out of work. utes. vironmental legislation. He will veto Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, will the Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, this bill them even if it means putting 133,000 gentleman yield? deserves to be supported, and we should workers out of business and the parks Mr. HEFNER. I yield to the gen- override the President’s veto. closed. tleman from Louisiana. I wanted to just get some facts out That is what this is all about. We Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, the Presi- here in the little time I have left. In- ought to override that veto. We ought dent said that when he vetoed this bill. dian education is above 1995. Indian When he vetoed this bill, he said I to put those workers back to work. We health is above 1995. The native Ameri- would rather have 133,000 out of work ought to make these modest reforms. cans get one-fourth, 25 percent of this than sign legislation that has modest It is a bill that has been approved by bill, about $3 billion goes to native environmental reforms. this House and by the Senate, by num- American programs. Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, that is a I want to point out that we nego- bers sufficient to represent the major- conclusion; that is not a fact. And the ity will of the people of the United tiated with the White House people, gentleman knows it. but they kept moving the goal posts. States. This President will not nego- Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve To show you how reluctant they were, tiate with us. We ought to override the the balance of my time. they vetoed the bill, and then it took veto. Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from New them 6 hours to decide what should be in a veto message. Normally you decide seconds to the distinguished gentleman York [Mr. HINCHEY]. from North Carolina [Mr. HEFNER]. Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I think why to veto a bill and then veto it, but Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I think that it is quite clear what is happening they were uncertain about what was the gentleman takes some poetic li- here. The Government is shut down for wrong because they recognized that it cense here. I would like to see a copy of one reason. That is because we have basically was a good bill. that letter where the President says, I not passed a bill which passed the Sen- This is not about the EPA, that is will put 133,000 workers out and I will ate. All we have to do is get that bill not in this bill. It is not about welfare, veto this bill because I do not want any out on the floor here. With regard to that is not in this bill. It is not about reforms. The gentleman is taking some the provisions of this bill before us Medicare. I have heard all these things poetic license with this in quoting the now, what is happening simply is this: from my colleagues on the minority President of the United States. I would The Republicans want to override a side. It is about a mining moratorium. like to see a copy of the letter. veto. We just heard a speaker say we are Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, will the The President vetoed that bill for a going to give away our mineral re- gentleman yield? host of very good reasons. Among them sources. The moratorium in this bill Mr. HEFNER. I yield to the gen- is the fact that this bill would provide stops that, but the President vetoed it. tleman from Louisiana. for the expedited application of mining He wants to go ahead and give out all Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, the letter patents, mining patents that are worth these patents and give away our min- I referred to is a letter he sent to the literally billions of dollars. Under the ing lands because without this bill Senate committee on property rights. provisions of this bill, which the Presi- there is no moratorium. Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I would dent vetoed, those applications would My colleagues, we have an oppor- like to see the quote in the letter that have to be processed in an unprece- tunity to vote ‘‘yes’’ to open the parks. says, I will put 133,000 people out of dented short period of time, in effect We have an opportunity to vote ‘‘yes’’ work. The gentleman may produce giving away to mining companies, to put 133,000 people back to work. We that. many of whom are foreign mining com- have an opportunity to vote ‘‘yes’’ to Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 panies, billions of dollars of American open up 500 national wildlife refuges. seconds to the gentleman from Louisi- resources at bargain basement prices. We have an opportunity to vote ‘‘yes’’ ana [Mr. TAUZIN]. That is what is at stake here. to open up 155 national forests. We Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, the letter These people tell us that they want have an opportunity to vote ‘‘yes’’ to I referred to, I will tell my friend, is a to balance the budget. If they really support the Indian schools, an oppor- letter the President sent to the com- wanted to balance the budget in a re- tunity to vote ‘‘yes’’ to welfare assist- mittee considering property rights leg- sponsible and appropriate way, they ance to Indian children, an opportunity islation, one of the environmental re- would allow us to treat the resources of to vote ‘‘yes’’ to the opening of the forms we have been fighting for on this this country in accordance with their Smithsonian, the National Gallery of House floor. true value. If we believe in the free Art, the Holocaust Museum, an oppor- The letter I referred to is a letter market, let that free market principle tunity to vote ‘‘yes’’ to retain the pat- from the President telling the chair- apply to public resources as well as pri- ent moratorium, an opportunity to man of that committee: I do not care vate resources. Stop giving away the vote ‘‘yes’’ to collect $8 billion in reve- how you change this bill, I will veto treasury of the country. Stop giving nues that are generated by the Federal any bill on this subject matter that away the resources which will be lands. hits my desk regardless of how you passed on to future generations. You I would say to the 89 Members that change it. That is the upshot of his let- are allowing those resources to be ex- voted ‘‘yes’’ to override the President ter. ploited at bargain basement prices. to help securities litigation lawyers, I I will send the gentleman a copy of Stop it. That is what this veto is all would think that, at a minimum, you it. What I said is that that letter re- about. would vote ‘‘yes’’ to open up all of the flects the attitude of the White House. Mr. YATES. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- resources to the 260 million Americans They will not negotiate with us on the self the balance of my time. that this bill represents. I urge all of environmental reforms. They will sim- Mr. Speaker, this is a bad bill. No my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ to over- ply veto legislation. amount of rhetoric about men out of ride the President’s veto and open up H 120 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 these facilities that belong to all Vucanovich Weldon (FL) Wolf b 1330 Americans. Waldholtz Weldon (PA) Young (AK) Walker Weller Young (FL) EXTENSION OF MOST-FAVORED- The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time Walsh White Zeliff NATION TREATMENT TO PROD- has expired. Wamp Whitfield Zimmer UCTS OF BULGARIA Without objection, the previous ques- Watts (OK) Wicker Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- tion is ordered. NAYS—177 mous consent to take from the Speak- There was no objection. Abercrombie Geren Morella er’s table the bill (H.R. 1643), with the The question is, Will the House, on Ackerman Gibbons Murtha Andrews Gonzalez Nadler Senate amendment thereto, and concur reconsideration, pass the bill, the ob- Baesler Green Oberstar in the Senate amendment, the Dole jections of the President to the con- Baldacci Gutierrez Obey proposal, to open the Government, and trary notwithstanding? Barcia Hall (OH) Olver Barrett (WI) Hamilton Ortiz that a motion to reconsider be laid on Under the Constitution, the vote Becerra Harman Owens the table. must be determined by the yeas and Beilenson Hastings (FL) Pallone The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. nays. Bentsen Hayworth Pastor LAHOOD). Under the guidelines consist- Berman Hefner Payne (NJ) The vote was taken by electronic de- Bevill Hilliard Payne (VA) ently issued by successive Speakers as vice, and there were—yeas 239, nays, Bishop Hinchey Pelosi recorded on page 532 of the House Rules 177, not voting 17, as follows: Bonior Holden Peterson (FL) Manual, the Chair is constrained not to Borski Hostettler Peterson (MN) [Roll No. 5] Boucher Hoyer Pomeroy entertain the gentleman’s request until YEAS—239 Browder Jackson (IL) Poshard it has been cleared by the bipartisan Brown (CA) Jackson-Lee Rahall Allard Fowler floor and committee leadership. McKeon Brown (FL) (TX) Rangel Archer Fox PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY Metcalf Brown (OH) Jacobs Richardson Armey Franks (CT) Meyers Campbell Jefferson Rivers Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I have a par- Bachus Franks (NJ) Mica Cardin Johnson (SD) Roemer liamentary inquiry. Baker (CA) Frelinghuysen Miller (FL) Clay Johnson, E. B. Rose Baker (LA) Frisa The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Molinari Clayton Johnston Roybal-Allard Ballenger Funderburk tleman will state it. Montgomery Clement Kanjorski Rush Barr Gallegly Moorhead Clyburn Kaptur Sabo Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, the leader- Barrett (NE) Ganske Myers Coleman Kennedy (MA) Sanders ship on this side of the aisle has au- Bartlett Gekas Myrick Collins (IL) Kennedy (RI) Sawyer Barton Gilchrest thorized me to make the motion I just Neal Collins (MI) Kennelly Schroeder Bass Gillmor Nethercutt Condit Kildee Schumer did. Can we have any indication at all Bateman Gilman Neumann Conyers Kleczka Scott from the majority side as to whether or Bereuter Goodlatte Ney Costello Klink Serrano Bilbray Goodling not there is any plan at all for them to Nussle Coyne LaFalce Skaggs Bilirakis Gordon allow the Dole proposal to be brought Orton Cramer Lantos Skelton Bliley Goss Oxley Danner Levin Slaughter before us? Blute Graham Packard de la Garza Lewis (GA) Spratt Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Regu- Boehlert Greenwood Parker DeLauro Lipinski Stokes Boehner Gunderson lar order, Mr. Speaker. Paxon Dellums Lofgren Stupak Bonilla Gutknecht The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is Petri Deutsch Lowey Taylor (MS) Bono Hall (TX) Pickett Dingell Luther Tejeda not a proper parliamentary inquiry. Brownback Hancock Pombo Dixon Maloney Thompson f Bryant (TN) Hansen Porter Doggett Manton Thornton Bunn Hastert Portman Dooley Markey Thurman LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM Bunning Hastings (WA) Pryce Durbin Martinez Torres Burr Hayes (Mr. ARMEY asked and was given Quinn Edwards Mascara Torricelli Burton Hefley Radanovich Engel Matsui Towns permission to address the House for 1 Buyer Heineman Ramstad Eshoo McCarthy Velazquez minute.) Callahan Herger Reed Evans McDermott Vento Calvert Hilleary Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, we will Regula Farr McHale Volkmer Camp Hobson now be turning our attention to special Riggs Fattah McKinney Ward Canady Hoekstra Roberts Fields (LA) McNulty Waters orders for a period of time. During this Castle Horn Rogers Filner Meehan Watt (NC) period of time, the majority leadership Chabot Houghton Rohrabacher Flake Meek Waxman Chambliss Hunter will be working with and consulting Ros-Lehtinen Foglietta Menendez Williams Chenoweth Hutchinson Roth Ford Miller (CA) Wise with the majority Members on a broad Christensen Hyde Roukema Frank (MA) Minge Woolsey range of questions and issues related to Chrysler Inglis Royce Frost Mink Wynn Clinger Istook the temporary Government shutdown Salmon Furse Moakley Yates Coble Johnson (CT) that has resulted from the President’s Sanford Gejdenson Mollohan Coburn Johnson, Sam Saxton Gephardt Moran veto of recent appropriations bills. Collins (GA) Jones Scarborough Mr. Speaker, we intend also during Combest Kasich Schaefer NOT VOTING—17 Cooley Kelly Schiff this period of time, while the House is Brewster Hoke Stockman Cox Kim Seastrand entertaining special orders, to do some Bryant (TX) Lightfoot Studds Crane King Sensenbrenner Chapman Mfume Visclosky consulting with the minority leader- Crapo Kingston Shadegg DeFazio Norwood Wilson ship as well, and in anticipation of Cremeans Klug Shaw Fazio Quillen Wyden Cubin Knollenberg Shays what might come of these sessions, I Fields (TX) Stark Cunningham Kolbe Shuster must advise the Members that until Davis LaHood Sisisky b 1328 notified otherwise, we should expect Deal Largent Skeen that we would be coming back to the DeLay Latham Smith (MI) The Clerk announced the following Diaz-Balart LaTourette Smith (NJ) floor for business requiring votes at Dickey Laughlin Smith (TX) pair: some time later in the day. Dicks Lazio Smith (WA) On this vote: We will proceed with special orders; Doolittle Leach Solomon Mr. Quillen and Mr. Lightfoot for, with Mr. Dornan Lewis (CA) Souder it would be my expectation that we Doyle Lewis (KY) Spence DeFazio against. would be able to come back, if things Dreier Lincoln Stearns So, two thirds not having voted in go well, and interrupt those. If not, and Duncan Linder Stenholm favor thereof, the veto of the President Dunn Livingston Stump the special orders scheduled for the day Ehlers LoBiondo Talent was sustained and the bill was rejected. were to be completed, we would even Ehrlich Longley Tanner The result of the vote was announced expect possibly to go into a period of Emerson Lucas Tate as above recorded. recess while these discussions go for- English Manzullo Tauzin Ensign Martini Taylor (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ward. Everett McCollum Thomas LAHOOD). The message and the bill are The short point, of course, to the Ewing McCrery Thornberry referred to the Committee on Appro- Members at large is, until notified oth- Fawell McDade Tiahrt priations. erwise, the Members ought to antici- Flanagan McHugh Torkildsen Foley McInnis Traficant The Clerk will notify the Senate of pate that there will be additional busi- Forbes McIntosh Upton the action of the House. ness which would include votes later in January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 121 the day; and I will return to the floor any Member wishes to give a 1-minute; It is not right that Federal employ- to inform the body, as things develop, and then we will move to special orders ees should be made to suffer this out- of any additional information that without prejudice to resumption of rage alone. Maybe a pay freeze would might affect the manner in which they business. make the President and Congress take conduct their affairs today. f the situation more seriously. Cospon- Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, will the sor H.R. 2671. gentleman yield? PERSONAL EXPLANATION f Mr. ARMEY. I would be happy to Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I was PRESIDENT SHOULD SIGN yield to the gentleman from Michigan. detained in my district in Philadelphia Mr. BONIOR. I would ask the major- APPROPRIATIONS BILLS yesterday afternoon. I would have ity leader what time he anticipates (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was voted ‘‘present’’ on the quorum call. I that we would resume business today. given permission to address the House would have voted ‘‘no’’ on the motion Mr. ARMEY. I can only say to the for 1 minute and to revise and extend to table the motion on the Chair’s rul- gentleman that it is my anticipation his remarks.) that that could be at 5 or 6 o’clock to- ing, rollcall No. 2; and I would have Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, night. Certainly I should expect that voted ‘‘no’’ to override the President’s you have just seen the House uphold by that time I would have enough in- correct decision to veto the Defense au- the President’s veto, and may I say formation to, if we do not call the thorization bill, rollcall No. 3. that the minority side again has shut Members back in for such business, at f down the parks, the refuges, the monu- ments. It is the President who has not least advise Members further on what NEGOTIATING FOR A BALANCED acted appropriately. the schedule would be for the rest of BUDGET the day and the rest of the week. This is a body of two Houses and con- Mr. BONIOR. If the gentleman would (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given per- ferences, and we reached the right deci- continue to yield, it is my understand- mission to address the House for 1 sion. We sent the bill to the President. ing also that the Senate has decided minute and to revise and extend his re- He alone has shut down the parks. He that they will not be in today, tomor- marks.) alone has shut down the monuments. row, and the rest of the weekend. If Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, we are here He alone is causing the pain, and it is that in fact is the case, at least that today because we want to open the time for the American public to say, body not doing any business, what leg- Federal Government. Our side is not Mr. President, sign the bills that Con- islation could we put forward that looking to hurt Federal employees. I gress sends to you. would relieve the impasse that we are just want people to recognize that we For those of you on the minority in? are in a very, very difficult time of try- side, you are no longer in the majority, It seems to me that the fastest and ing to balance the Federal budget. I you are in the minority. So let us tell the best way to do that would be to think the other side needs also to rec- the truth. Let us have the President take up the resolution by the majority ognize that we are making some sign these bills. We will send them to leader of the Senate, Senator DOLE, progress. him. and pass that and get this Government President Clinton the other day de- Mr. President, let us put the people back to work. cided that he would support a reduc- back to work. It is your fault; it will Mr. ARMEY. I thank the gentleman tion in the capital gains tax, some- continue to be your fault. Let us think for his suggestion. Let me just say thing that the other side has called ‘‘a about this country instead of the elec- there are a very broad range of things tax cut for the rich.’’ The President tion in 1996. that will be under discussion, and we now agrees, and I think it is incum- f will be able to make a report later in bent, with the President’s assurance PASS A CONTINUING RESOLUTION the day. that he will support a capital gains TO OPEN GOVERNMENT Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Would tax, that we give a little, that we work (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given the gentleman yield? to negotiate, that we seek to reopen permission to address the House for 1 Mr. ARMEY. I would be happy to the Government. minute and to revise and extend his re- yield. The bottom line is a 7-year balanced marks.) Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank budget, CBO, OMB, make sure they are Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my colleague from Texas for yielding, real numbers, honest numbers that the 3 months and a few days since the fis- and certainly I appreciate and support American public can agree to, and we cal year closed and since the Congress the minority whip on his comments. can resolve the stalemate here in had a responsibility to enact a new na- I would like to indicate that I filed Washington. But the American public, tional budget and to adopt some 13 ap- yesterday House Joint Resolution 155 both Democrats and Republicans, uni- propriations bills. None of that has that is a clean continuing resolution versally agree that a balanced budget been done. with several original cosponsors that can and should be done in 7 years. would open the Government until Jan- My Republican colleagues are anx- uary 19. I would like to know if the ma- f ious to tell us how the President can get the country back to work. Well, it jority leader would allow a unanimous- CONGRESS SHOULD NOT BE is very simple. We can get the Govern- consent request for that to be brought EXEMPT FROM HARDSHIPS up on the House floor so that we could ment going again by the simple expedi- discuss that and debate that opening of (Mr. BROWDER asked and was given ency of continuing the negotiations the Government until January 19. permission to address the House for 1 and by seeing to it that a continuing Mr. ARMEY. I thank the gentle- minute and to revise and extend his re- resolution in the proper form has been woman for her inquiry. I can only say marks.) passed. that at this time I am not prepared to Mr. BROWDER. Mr. Speaker, I do not Our Republican colleagues have told entertain such a request. believe that the President and Mem- us what they are going to do. The Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Well, I bers of Congress should be exempt from Speaker himself said this: I do not care thank the gentleman if he would con- the same hardships that others endure. what the price is, I do not care if we sider it. I think that we have certainly If we are unable to pay Federal em- have no executive offices and no bonds an opportunity for bipartisan direction ployees, then we should not be able to for 30 days. Not this time. He said he on this and support on this. I thank the pay ourselves during a shutdown. Like would shut the Government down and gentleman. some other Members of this House, I he has done so. Federal employees, f have introduced legislation to prevent citizens, everyone else is hurting be- the President and Members of Congress cause of this consequence. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER from collecting paychecks during Gov- My advice is, let us not slink out of PRO TEMPORE ernment shutdowns, and I invite my town like a bunch of skulkers; let us The SPEAKER pro tempore. The colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of pass a continuing resolution and get Chair will first entertain 1-minutes, if H.R. 2671. about the business of the country. H 122 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 MEALS ON WHEELS LIVES loughed in this great debate. But they he has a moral obligation to fight us. I (Mr. HANCOCK asked and was given are not the only hostages. They are not will never, never say bad things about permission to address the House for 1 the only innocent ones. somebody that follows their beliefs be- minute and to revise and extend his re- There are several hundred million cause that is what they should do. marks.) people in this country who are held There comes a time, though, that one Mr. HANCOCK. Mr. Speaker, I have a hostage by this whole process. The has an obligation to do more than just real problem. Just the other day the most innocent are our children and say no. Mr. President, if you do not like our President comes on national television, grandchildren, who are inheriting from view of a balanced budget, give us your and the first item he mentioned as part this body a $5 trillion debt that will view. We cannot negotiate against our- of the shutdown was Meals on Wheels. cost them in their lifetime, if they are selves anymore. You have a legal and a My wife devotes 1 full day a week plus born this year, $187,000 just to pay in- moral obligation to fight us when you other free time to Meals on Wheels in terest on the debt. think we are wrong. You have a legal the private sector. I picked up the tele- This is a great debate. It is not a sandbox fight. It is about the direction and moral obligation to fulfill your phone today and I called every place I commitment you made 40 days ago to could think of in southwest Missouri, of the Government. The dollar amounts are insignificant. What the President put a budget on the table that bal- my district, and every meal is being de- ances. Please fulfill your obligation. livered. Meals on Wheels has not been cannot tolerate is turning back to indi- f shut down. viduals the right to make decisions Now, maybe there is a Government about their own lives. The nanny state LEGISLATION PROHIBITING OVER- function that they call Meals on will wither away and the left will lose SEAS TRAVEL BY MEMBERS Wheels that is Government funded that control over the lives of people. That is DURING GOVERNMENT SHUT- is shut down. But the private-sector what this debate is about and I am on DOWN Meals on Wheels is delivering meals all the side of the innocent children and grandchildren. (Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin asked over the United States, which is a real and was given permission to address f good example that the private sector the House for 1 minute.) can do a better job than the Govern- ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY IN Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. ment. BUDGET BATTLE Speaker, last week I noticed a news- Meals on Wheels are being delivered, (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given paper account that said that notwith- and I resent the President of the Unit- permission to address the House for 1 standing the fact that there are over ed States stating that my wife’s volun- minute and to revise and extend her re- 700,000 Federal employees who are not teer work is not happening. being paid, there are still 50 Members marks.) f Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, both of Congress, nearly 50 Members of Con- gress, who were scheduled to go on for- Democrats and Republicans on the POLITICS IS THE ART OF eign trips during this shutdown. Senate side were responsible in enact- COMPROMISE Mr. Speaker, that is a slap in the face ing a clean CR to put the Government (Mr. MORAN asked and was given to the hard working Federal employees back to work again. We have now been permission to address the House for 1 who want to be working and who in a Government shutdown for some 20 minute and to revise and extend his re- should be paid. This is not the time for days which is costing this Government marks.) Members of Congress to be traveling at least $20 million each day. Twenty Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, the fact is overseas. And today the Speaker has days of that, we just need to multiply that while Meals on Wheels are being scheduled a piece of legislation that al- that. delivered now, they will not if we do lows us to be in recess for up to 3 But, more importantly, it is costing not pass the Dole continuing spending weeks. That is wrong, too. the taxpayer their services that they bill. I have introduced legislation that deserve. Our country deserves better. Mr. Speaker, politics is the art of would prohibit Members of Congress Yet there are those on the other side, compromise. Politics should not be the from traveling overseas during times of under the rubric of being responsible to tactics of terrorism. Terrorism is when Government furloughs. It is wrong, and their grandchildren and to the chil- you take innocent hostages, punish the Members of Congress should stay dren, the innocent, and denying chil- them to achieve an objective that you here and we should not recess our- dren of today opportunities. cannot otherwise achieve through legal selves. We should stay here, get these How responsible is it for us to say and democratic processes. people back to work. They want to that we should deny the opportunity Federal employees, public civil serv- work. They should be working. It is and the responsibility for people to ants, are being taken hostage, are simply wrong to do what this Govern- productively give back to their country being punished through no fault of ment has done. what they will be paid? How respon- their own, only because they choose to f sible is it for us to pay people who are serve the American public and the not actually working? It certainly is CALLING ON PRESIDENT TO STEP American civil service. They are being not responsible, nor is it civil, to deny FORWARD IN BUDGET DEBATE punished, some having to work without the responsibility of us as Members of (Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania asked and pay, others being locked out of their this Congress. was given permission to address the jobs, being told it is illegal even to vol- House for 1 minute and to revise and unteer. f extend his remarks.) Now, three-quarters of a million Fed- MEETING THE CHALLENGE Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speak- eral employees will not be able to pay (Mr. GRAHAM asked and was given er, I come to the House floor today to for their rent, will not be able to even permission to address the House for 1 remind my colleagues that on Novem- provide food for their families. It is minute.) ber 20 the President of the United wrong. Shame on this body. Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, a rela- States did promise this House by law f tionship, to work and survive, has got that he in fact would work with us, the b 1345 to be honest and we have got to deal House and Senate, for a balanced budg- with each other in good faith. For a et. WHAT THE BUDGET DEBATE IS government to govern well, we have to As the previous speaker from South ABOUT be honest and we have to deal with Carolina has said, it is a fact we have (Mr. LINDER asked and was given each other in good faith. no budget from the President. Six ap- permission to address the House for 1 The President has vetoed every meas- propriation bills have gone to the minute.) ure we have sent to him that would President without signature. The facts Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I will be balance the budget. He has a constitu- are very clear. His not signing the ap- willing to admit that it is unfortunate tional right to do that. If he believes propriation bills has caused the fur- that Federal employees are being fur- that our budget devastates the elderly, lough of Federal workers. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 123 We want the Federal workers to go torial today entitled, ‘‘Your Turn, State that is proud to lead this Nation back to work. We want our constitu- Bill.’’ I will read the last paragraph, in environmental, educational, and ents served. Republicans and Demo- Mr. Speaker. economic policy. crats in this House want a balanced Congress should pass stopgap funding as Unfortunately, it is also the State budget, and we can do it by ending the soon as the President provides the missing that showed that a legislative branch gridlock, by having the President meet ingredient of serious bargaining: a credible of government can bring Government us halfway. The budget he gave us pre- White House plan to balance the budget in 7 to a halt by not adopting a budget on viously was $265 billion out of balance. years. time. California’s partisan politics Let us have a budget that truly bal- To my liberal friends, I would say the delay the State budget year after year. ances, one that is going to be providing Philadelphia Inquirer is not exactly a However, never was it this bad. services to our people without bank- bastion of conservation politics. I Congress is now in its fourth month. rupting the Nation or the next genera- would urge this President and my lib- We have been here more days, taken tion. eral friends to heed the advice of the more votes, and spent more hours on f Philadelphia Inquirer, and I will join the floor and accomplished less than with them in supporting a stopgap CR any other Congress in history. Con- BIPARTISANSHIP NEEDED TO when this President lives up to the gress was unable to make the October RESOLVE IMPASSE commitment of his words a few weeks 1 fiscal deadline. It is internationally (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked ago. embarrassing. and was given permission to address Mr. Speaker, I include for the Mr. Speaker, give us back our Na- the House for 1 minute and to revise RECORD the editorial mentioned ear- tion. Let your people go. Vote for a and extend her remarks.) lier. clean CR and get Government back to Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. YOUR TURN, BILL work. Speaker, I would like to take up the ‘‘Enough is enough.’’ That was the gist of f call of the gentleman from South Caro- Bob Dole’s argument for passing a new, stop- lina. I think it is time for us to work in gap funding bill, even though there’s no deal AS THE POLLS TURN a bipartisan manner, and I have offered yet on a balanced budget. The partial shut- (Mr. SCARBOROUGH asked and was House Joint Resolution 155 that would down is a wasteful exercise that could have given permission to address the House open this Government by a continuing ended yesterday if House Republicans hadn’t for 1 minute.) resolution, provide our employees that rejected the idea. Mr. SCARBOROUGH. Mr. Speaker, are furloughed an opportunity to come Yet Newt Gingrich & Co. can rightly shout ‘‘enough is enough’’ at President Clinton. In let our people go? The Speaker and this back to work and provide the services the agreement that ended a shorter shut- House have bent over backwards. We to the American people, and as well to down in November, the President promised a have passed two balanced budget plans, pay the Government and to operate the serious plan to balance the budget in seven we have passed appropriation bills. Government at 90 percent funding. years. The country is still waiting for his The President vetoed the first bal- I am very proud to say that I have plan. anced budget plan in a generation. The been joined by Members GENE GREEN, House Republicans have rejected short- President has vetoed the Interior bill. AL WYNN, JAMES CLYBURN, BENNIE term funding—and taken the heat for it—out The President has vetoed bills that of a legitimate concern that federal busi- THOMPSON, PATSY MINK, EVA CLAYTON, nesses-as-usual lessens pressure on Mr. Clin- would get funding for veterans’ affairs, TOM FOGLIETTA, LOUISE SLAUGHTER, ton to bargain seriously. for HUD, for the Environmental Pro- EARL HILLIARD, CLEO FIELDS, DONALD So the stalemate drags on. tection Agency. PAYNE, XAVIER BECERRA, CORRINE The most aggrieved folks are nearly half a This truly is the do-nothing Presi- BROWN, ROSA DELAURO, JIM MORAN, million ‘‘essential’’ workers in unfunded de- dent. His people are telling him at the ALCEE HASTINGS, JOE KENNEDY, JOHN partments and agencies: They are being White House, ‘‘Do nothing, stand in the LEWIS, PATRICK KENNEDY, SANFORD forced to work but won’t be paid until Con- road, block progress, fight a balanced BISHOP, LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, TOM gress and the President agree on funding. budget at all costs. That is what you Yesterday, a federal judge turned down the BARRETT, HAROLD VOLKMER, and PAT plea of two unions to bar the government need to do, Mr. President. Be firm, do SCHROEDER. We are all concerned that from making their members work without nothing, and your poll points will go we work in a bipartisan manner to do pay. up.’’ what the American people have sent us No matter how this fiasco plays out, re- Maybe they will. I really do not care here to do, to have this Government quiring people to work with out pay if fun- whether his poll points go up or not. operating and, yes, work to balance the damentally unfair. How would Republican The fact of the matter is we have put budget with the priorities that will lawmakers like to work without pay? They on the table the first balanced budget benefit all of us who are Americans. I voted that idea down in the House, as Major- in a generation, and if the President hope my colleagues will allow this to ity Whip Tom DeLay got all huffy about how he wasn’t a federal employee, but ‘‘a con- wants to continue standing in the way come to the floor today. stitutional officer.’’ Well, la-dee-dah, Mr. of that, fine. We are going to balance f DeLay. this budget with or without him. CREDIBLE WHITE HOUSE PLAN Another 260,000 ‘‘nonessential’’ workers are f missing paychecks, but at least they’re get- NEEDED TO END SHUTDOWN ting time off—and have been promised back REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO (Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked pay for doing nothing: Ridiculous? ADDRESS HOUSE and was given permission to address There’s a middle way out of this morass Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House for 1 minute and to revise that’s less stubborn than the House GOP, but unanimous consent that I be given 30 and extend his remarks and include ex- doesn’t let Mr. Clinton off the hook as Mr. seconds to ask the gentleman a ques- traneous material.) Dole did. Congress should pass stopgap funding as tion. Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. soon as the President provides the missing Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I object. Speaker, we have heard from the Presi- ingredient of serious bargaining: a credible The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. dent that this shutdown in the Federal White House plan to balance the budget in LAHOOD). The Chair would inform the Government has been caused by fresh- seven years. gentleman that we are in 1-minutes. If man Republicans. I rise as a 5-term Re- f the gentleman would be so inclined, if publican who on many occasions has he has not given a 1-minute, he may LET YOUR PEOPLE GO broken with my party to support the get in line. President on labor and environmental (Mr. FARR asked and was given per- f issues. But I will not break ranks with mission to address the House for 1 our party in this case, because the minute and to revise and extend his re- ANOTHER VICTIM OF SHUTDOWN credibility of this administration in marks.) (Mr. EDWARDS asked and was given my mind is at question. I think the Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a permission to address the House for 1 Philadelphia Inquirer, Mr. Speaker, Member from the delegation of the minute and to revise and extend his re- summed it up best in their lead edi- great State of California. This is the marks.) H 124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I would whether or not we are going to provide will give us a little sufferance here be- like to read one more letter from a real a $245 billion tax break largely for the cause if they do not, they may start to person in my district, another victim rich in this country as part of the 7- believe that we have defeated the suc- of the Gingrich shutdown philosophy. year balanced budget plan. cess of representative democracy in Mr. Edwards: I used to live on welfare but The Republican Party considers the America under the Constitution as we I fought my way out of the system. I’m em- tax cut for the rich to be the crown know it. ployed at the VA hospital in Temple, Texas jewel in their Contract With America, The fact of the matter is we have a as a certified surgical tech. I’m not on food and they have promised to keep the fundamental philosophical disagree- stamps, AFDC or Medicaid anymore. I sup- Government shut down until we give ment here, and we may have to recog- port my children and take care of them this tax break to the rich. The crown nize we are not going to come to a con- through my job which I am not being paid for. The check I was to receive on January 2 jewel is a good metaphor, for without clusion on it. We may not get an agree- was for rent, electric bills, food and gas. My the tax cut for the rich, the contract ment on reconciliation and balancing 9-year-old’s birthday had to be put on hold will not sparkle, it will not shine. But the budget. until I start getting paid again. I wish they it is a jewel at a great price. To pay it, But this country must go on. What I could have felt my heartbreak when I told we must cut student loans, we must would suggest is there is a tool, al- him and he started to cry. slash Medicare, we must cut Medicaid, though I disagree with the tool, that Mr. Speaker, it is time to pass a reso- we must slash environmental pro- was passed by this House and by this lution to put the Government and de- grams. Senate but not sent to the President, cent, hardworking Federal employees The Gingrich budget promises 7 years that would resolve this problem, and back to work. We can do that if Mr. of milk and honey and tax breaks for that is the line-item veto. If the con- GINGRICH and the House Republicans the rich, but 7 years of financial famine ference committee will meet today, will let us take 15 minutes to vote in and locusts for the working-class peo- agree on a conference report between favor of a clean continuing resolution. ple of our country. the House and the Senate, bring it f f back to this House and send it to the President so he can sign it, he will FOCUS ON BALANCING THE NO COUNTERPROPOSAL RECEIVED have the authority to take the objec- BUDGET IN BUDGET DEBATE tionable parts out of the appropria- (Mr. KINGSTON asked and was given (Mr. MCINNIS asked and was given tions bills which are keeping this Gov- permission to address the House for 1 permission to address the House for 1 ernment shut down. minute and to revise and extend his re- minute and to revise and extend his re- f marks.) marks.) Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, while I LET US GET TO A REASONABLE Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, it is in- BUDGET AGREEMENT teresting. The previous speaker and all appreciate the gentleman’s cute props the others, they all voted against the and while I appreciate my colleague’s (Mr. GANSKE asked and was given override. If you wanted to get this earlier statements about the child that permission to address the House for 1 birthday party done, you want to help was crying, certainly we divert from minute and to revise and extend his re- these people out, why do you not vote the primary issue here, and that is to marks.) for the bills? It is that simple. balance the budget for the Federal Mr. GANSKE. Mr. Speaker, we have The President has vetoed Interior, Government and focus on some short- heard a lot of hot air about tax cuts for which would open national parks; the term hardships. the rich, tax cuts for the rich. Well, as Justice Department; Commerce VA; We understand there are hardships many of the Members know, myself HUD; EPA. These are all real things out there. I have got a program that I and another Member who is sitting in that would have opened the govern- am going to talk about on a 5-minute the body today earlier in the year ment. And yes, there is plenty of time special order on how we can help on worked hard to lower the tax cap for to continue debating these issues and some of those, but do not let us lose the $500-per-child tax credit. The con- these spending levels. If you did not focus on the most important issue fac- ference bill is currently at $75,000 for a like this year’s appropriations, go for ing this country in generations, and single earner and $110,000 for a couple. it next year. Try to put in more that is to balance this budget, to con- Most people would say that that is money. We know you like to spend. But trol Government spending. Remember, reasonable, especially if you look at the President had vetoed these things right now this Government spends $30 the fact that in 1950 the average in- and we have not seen yet a counter- million an hour more than it brings in, come-earner family in this country was proposal. and if you want to talk about an im- sending 5 percent of their income to That is what we have been looking pact on the children and the future of Washington for Federal taxes and for since November a counterproposal. this country, it is handing them this today it is over 25 percent. Remember What I do think is I share your concern credit card, the congressional voting also the President himself introduced a about the furloughed employees. I want card, which is accumulating that kind bill that had some tax cuts in it. them to go back to work. I am not of debt. That is what is going to break So I think what we are working at against a CR. But what I wish is that the backbone of this country. now, and as we said all along in the you would have the same urgency We can focus on these short-term continuing resolution, was that we about the $20 billion a month we are hardships. We can do something about would put everything on the table, the spending in interest on the national it. But until we address the long-term level of tax cuts. The President has his. debt. This money is going to be paid for problem, we are not going to get any- We have ours. Let us get some numbers by your children and my children. Let where. and come to an agreement. us show them the same compassion you f f pretend to show other groups. BRING UP THE LINE-ITEM VETO ENOUGH IS ENOUGH f (Mr. KANJORSKI asked and was (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked b 1400 given permission to address the House and was given permission to address for 1 minute and to revise and extend the House for 1 minute and to revise TAX BREAK: CROWN JEWEL OF his remarks.) and extend his remarks.) THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. (Mr. MARKEY asked and was given could not help but hear some of my col- Speaker, enough is enough. I have sat permission to address the House for 1 leagues on the other side engage in here and listened to my Republican minute and to revise and extend his re- some rhetoric which I think is unfortu- colleagues from Georgia and from the marks.) nate at this time, I might say, on our panhandle of Florida talk about what Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, yester- side also. It sort of indicates where this they really want in a budget. Maybe day the budget negotiators finally got impasse is starting to take this Con- they need to call home and ask how to the key issue in the budget debate: gress, and I hope the American people many of their seniors are not being January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 125 able to apply for Social Security or Members that Members are allowed and I decided to come down. I wanted how many of their veterans are not one 1-minute speech during each legis- to tell some of my radical friends, getting the health care they need or lative day. The Chair has notified other since I always hear them called liberal being able to apply for veterans’ pen- Members of that previously. friends, it is time to stop using our sions. f Federal employees, who are our fellow The Federal employees are not the citizens, American citizens, as hos- PRESIDENT HAS REDUCED THE only ones that are hurting. In Houston tages. we have thousands of people who are DEFICIT I feel like we are in the Iran hostage hurting. The passport office, we have (Mr. POSHARD asked and was given situation again. It is time to stop using 10,000 applications for passports, and permission to address the House for 1 Americans who depend upon those Fed- they expect to grow by a thousand a minute and to revise and extend his re- eral employees as hostages, and it is week, that are not being issued. That is marks.) time to stop asking them to be the ul- hurting business people who want to go Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I just timate sacrifice in this process. overseas and sell our products. The want to reemphasize again, if I may, I The fact of the matter is you want to Meals on Wheels program in Houston, I hear various speakers coming up here impose your will, your extreme agenda was interested to hear my colleague and painting the President as the ogre as the law of the land, and that is not from Missouri talk about they are de- with respect to balancing the budget, the American way. It is about negotia- livering them today, and they are in reducing the deficit. tion, it is about compromise. It is not Houston. They say they only have I just want to point out that in 1992 about blackmail and threat, and that is enough money for another week or the this country was running a $310 billion what is at stake here. 3,500 meals in Houston will not be de- deficit per year. It went down to $260 We are discussing about deeply root- livered for seniors. The VA medical billion, to $200 billion, and this year to ed principles. I know you have yours, center, as of today, is only supplying, $161 billion. and we have ours. But it is time to stop the contractor is only supplying for the This President, whom everyone ac- using Federal employees and the Amer- VA medical center on an as-needed cuses of being disingenuous about bal- ican citizens who depend upon their basis, so veterans are not getting the ancing the budget, has reduced the def- services as hostages, and it is time to health care they have earned in sup- icit $150 billion in 3 years, whereas the take the gun away from the President, porting our country. budget that we are being told we which is what you are doing, at his There is absolutely no reason to keep should agree to here and pass goes from head; it is time to return to some san- the Federal Government closed because $161 billion in this year to $151 billion, ity in this House and in this country. they cannot get what they want in ne- back up to $158 billion and down to $126 f gotiations. Let us continue the nego- billion in the third year. The Presi- tiations. Let us also continue for the dent’s budget? It is $150 billion in 3 AMERICA WANTS A BALANCED folks who are paying the bill. years. This budget that we are being BUDGET f told is a saving grace of America, $35 (Mr. WELDON of Florida asked and TAXPAYER RESOURCES BEING billion in the same amount of time. was given permission to address the SQUANDERED f House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) (Mr. POMEROY asked and was given HOW TO REOPEN THE Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speak- permission to address the House for 1 GOVERNMENT er, there you have it, we have been minute and to revise and extend his re- (Mr. MANZULLO asked and was called gruesome, we have been called marks.) Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, this given permission to address the House extreme, we have been called radical, morning’s front page of the Washing- for 1 minute and to revise and extend we have been called just about every ton Post quotes the Senate majority his remarks.) name in the book because we want to leader with a very succinct comment, Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, the do something so extreme and so radical one which finds broad agreement all House just voted a few minutes ago to as to balance the budget using honest across the State of North Dakota. It override the President’s veto of the In- numbers. says, ‘‘People should work for their terior appropriations bill. People back home are saying to me, money.’’ Whenever the President vetoes a bill, ‘‘Dave, if you can’t do it, who will do Yet the House of Representatives, that mean he does not like it. But it? And if we can’t do it now, when will the majority specifically in the House when the President vetoed the Interior we do it?’’ of Representatives, has created a situa- appropriations bill, that meant that The time has arrived. The President tion today where thousands and thou- 130,000 Federal employees could have is vetoing all of these bills that we put sands of Federal workers are prohibited been working, 369 national parks would before him because we do not spend as from coming to their place of employ- have been open, 500 national wildlife much money as he wants to spend. ment and discharging their services to refuges would have been open, 155 na- Those are the bottom-line issues in his the American people. Yet they have tional forests would have been open. vetoes. He wants to spend more money been assured by the same majority Let us get candid about this. When- than we want to spend. that shuts them out from their desks ever the President vetoes a bill, he We want to balance the budget. He that they will now be compensated for shuts down the Government. If the has not presented a budget that bal- this time. President is complaining about the ances. He has not presented to us a Now, what could be more ridiculous Government being shut down, all he budget that, when we give it to the than that? Not letting them come to has to do is to sign the appropriations CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, work but paying them for staying at bill. That is what this process is about. and they analyze the numbers, it does home, what is the point? The point is So, if you want the Government to be not come to balance in 7 years. The an awful lot of people are being hurt, open, all the President has to do is to American public wants the budget bal- the taxpayers’ resources are being sign the bills, the appropriations bills anced. shamelessly squandered. that Congress has sent to him. It is f The Senate Republicans and Senate that simple. WE MUST WORK OUT OUR Democrats alike have voted to put this f DIFFERENCES Government back to work, and it is IT IS TIME TO RETURN TO SANITY time the House go along. (Mr. HEFNER asked and was given f (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was permission to address the House for 1 given permission to address the House minute and to revise and extend his re- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER for 1 minute and to revise and extend marks.) PRO TEMPORE his remarks.) Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I think The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I was the gentlemen are missing the point LAHOOD). The Chair would advise the listening to this debate on the floor, here. We are talking about a balanced H 126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 budget all the time. We are talking the House for 1 minute and to revise Government is unworthy of a great about opening up the Government. and extend his remarks.) country. The irresponsible actions of All Presidents past, Gerald Ford, Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. this House have increased the eco- Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, George Speaker, I wish a couple of my col- nomic uncertainty of our Federal Bush, when they had a disagreement, it leagues would take the time to read workers. Whether they get paid eventu- is their perfect right to veto a bill. the report from the Congressional ally or not is unknown, but what is Incidentally, the bills that President Budget Office that says that the budget known is that those industries which Clinton got were far late. They were that has passed this House increases depend on the Federal Government op- not anywhere near the time they were the annual operating deficit for this erating will never be made whole. supposed to be here. Nation in 1996. It does not decrease it, Think, in our area in California, The President has the right to veto a it increases it. Mariposa County has appealed to Gov- bill, and then you work out the dif- Even when they cook the numbers, it ernor Wilson to declare them a disaster ferences. increases the annual operating deficit area because of the loss of business due This is totally ridiculous to say, ‘‘If by $7 billion. You do not balance the to the closing of Yosemite Park. It you don’t sign these bills like we budget by taking your first step back- goes on and on, with coffee shops and passed them, like we want them, we ward. stationery stores and all the rest who are going to close the Government The second thing I would like to do is do business as a result of the Federal down and put all of these people out of commend those wonderful men and Government and Federal buildings work.’’ women who work for our Nation’s vet- being functioning. That is the process. The President erans hospitals, taking care of the peo- Mr. Speaker, for a Nation that prides has the right to veto a bill, and then ple who came home from our wars in a itself on the issue of fairness, this shut- you work with appropriations or the situation much worse than they left, down is unfair to the American tax- authorizers and then you work out the who are working for reduced pay. I payer, unfair to the Federal workers, differences. You do not just get mad want to tell them it is my deepest re- unfair to American businesses who and throw a tantrum and close the gret that they are not being fully com- want to engage in trade. We are not Government down, our VA hospitals pensated for what they have done. We able to protect our environment, to that are so vital to the people of this have tried three times on the House conduct our foreign policy. Mr. Speaker, if this is the tactic that country. floor on the Democratic side to bring a the Republicans want to use, then in a It is just not Federal employees it is budget bill straight to the floor under sense of fairness we should not be ac- hurting. It is average working people an open rule that if people wanted to cepting our own paychecks. out there that depend on the services amend, they could, and three times of the workers. now the Speaker of the House has ruled f This is totally ridiculous, holding that would not happen. We will con- CONGRESS SHOULD ACT RESPON- them hostage because you have got a tinue to work in your best interests. SIBLY AND BALANCE THE BUDG- temper tantrum because you cannot f ET have it like you want it. f BALANCED BUDGET IN 7 YEARS (Mr. MICA asked and was given per- IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE mission to address the House for 1 WE MUST DEAL WITH THE DEBT minute and to revise and extend his re- AND THE DEFICIT NOW (Mr. ALLARD asked and was given marks.) permission to address the House for 1 (Mr. GILCHREST asked and was Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I care about minute and to revise and extend his re- given permission to address the House our civil servants, and I care about our marks.) for 1 minute and to revise and extend Federal employees who are without Mr. ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, we are his remarks.) compensation and who are not working Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, if where the road forks in this country’s today. But the pain now being felt by there is anybody in the Chamber who history. We are talking about business our Federal employees will be exactly was born in 1946, they are now the as usual or whether we really want to the same pain felt by all Americans in quintessential baby boomer. They are bring some change to this place. the next decade if this House and this 50. That means in 15 years or a little I have a lot of empathy and support, Congress fail to act. bit less or a little bit more, they are or concern, about Federal employees Let me give an example. Some Fed- going to retire. If we do not reform who may not be having an opportunity eral employees recently received half what we are doing now, if we do not re- to work, and I think we need to look at of their monthly salary, and all of form Medicare, there is going to be no our policy as a way we handle these their benefits were taken out and their health care for those retirees. kinds of public discussions and we costs of benefits were taken out of ought to set a policy that allows them their paycheck, and that is exactly the b 1415 to go back to work if they wanted to. type of paycheck that Americans will Mr. Speaker, if we do not reform So- But we are talking about whether we receive in 10 years if we fail to act and cial Security, there is going to be no are going to balance the budget in 7 act responsibly at this time. Social Security for those retirees. If we years using real figures, or whether we So I urge my colleagues to hold do not do something about the debt, are going to go over here and do busi- tight, to balance the budget, and to act which is about $5 trillion, there will be ness as usual, as we have been doing for responsibly now. no economic structure for the baby the last 40 years. That is where this f boomers’ children to operate under. crossroad is. It is time for us to deal with this The President simply is not sitting HOUSE SHOULD HAVE AN OPPOR- debt, with this budget. We want to put down and looking at what we can do TUNITY TO VOTE ON SAME RES- the Federal workers back to work. We with real numbers in 7 years to balance OLUTION THAT SENATE PASSED want the President to sign the bills, the budget. We have to do that if we (Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts asked which he can today, to put these people are going to have any kind of future for and was given permission to address back to work. We need to get rid of the our children and grandchildren. It is the House for 1 minute and to revise politics, shift the focus back to the imperative. It is important. and extend his remarks.) budget and some of this Nation’s prob- f Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. lems. Speaker, the dilemma that we face GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN UNFAIR f here today could be corrected in about (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given 1 hour. All it would require would be HOUSE-PASSED BUDGET IN- permission to address the House for 1 for the Speaker of this House to bring CREASES ANNUAL OPERATING minute.) to the floor the same resolution that DEFICIT IN 1996 Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is time Senator DOLE brought on the other side (Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi asked for this House of Representatives to and in the other body. We could put ev- and was given permission to address get a grip. The shutdown of the Federal erybody back to work, ensure that January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 127 Means on Wheels obligations were hon- and sacrifices of our early settlers to achieve ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER ored, ensure that benefits were ex- statehood have made Utah one of the most PRO TEMPORE tended to those who were deserving of prosperous States in the country. I am proud The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. them, and it could be accomplished to represent the great State of Utah. LAHOOD). The Chair will now recognize this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I hope Members join Members for the special order speeches But you know what the compelling with me in celebrating Utah’s 100-year without prejudice to the possible re- truth here is today? That a radical ele- birthday. sumption of legislative business. ment in this House that is out of touch f f with realities across this Nation, they have decided that they are going to HOUSE OF LUNATICS SPECIAL ORDERS hold Federal employees and our senior (Mr. VOLKMER asked and was given The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under citizens hostage to their point of view, permission to address the House for 1 the Speaker’s announced policy of May and that is precisely what they are minute and to revise and extend his re- 12, 1995, and under a previous order of doing today. marks.) the House, the following Members will If Senator DOLE can bring the U.S. Mr. VOLKMER. Mr. Speaker, back be recognized for 5 minutes each. Senate Democrats and Republicans last month I made a speech on this f along, surely we ought to have an op- floor about this being the biggest show The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a portunity in this institution to simply on Earth, that Ringling Brothers-Bar- previous order of the House, the gen- vote on a measure to reopen this Gov- num & Bailey did not hold a candle to tleman from Florida [Mr. DIAZ- ernment. That should be done today, this place. BALART] is recognized for 5 minutes. and I guarantee if that simple measure Well, it is not even a good show any [Mr. DIAZ-BALART addressed the was brought to the floor, it would pass more. It is a house of lunatics right easily. House. His remarks will appear here- now. You can look around. Mr. Speak- after in the Extensions of Remarks.] f er, there is not hardly anybody here. f THE UTAH CENTENNIAL—100 Yet we have got Federal employees not YEARS OF STATEHOOD working, we have got agencies shut SHUTDOWN HURTING AMERICAN down, and this House is doing abso- PRIDE (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given lutely nothing. There is not anybody permission to address the House for 1 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a here. minute and to revise and extend his re- previous order of the House, the gen- You talk about a place that no one marks.) tleman from West Virginia [Mr. WISE] Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, on Janu- should actually want to be connected is recognized for 5 minutes. ary 4, 1896 President Grover Cleveland to. And every day that I serve here Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I wake up in stated: under this new leadership, under these the mornings and sometimes wonder radical Republicans, I just think, you what world I am in, because I realize I Now, therefore, I, Grover Cleveland, Presi- know, this is not a House of Represent- dent of the United States of America, in ac- am going to go to work, and actually I cordance with the act of Congress aforesaid, atives; this is a place like a zoo, and have the privilege of still going to and by authority thereof, announce the re- they do not even know how to run it. work, many Federal employees do not, sult of said election to be as so certified, and They do not know how to run a House. that I am going to work, but I am do hereby declare and proclaim that the I would say lunacy has really taken going to go to work under these condi- terms and conditions prescribed by the Con- over. And then they blame the Presi- tions: That I am working in a country gress of the United States to entitle the dent for what we are not doing here. State of Utah to admission into the Union, that has been shut down partially for have been duly complied with, and that the f 20 days; where the Centers for Disease creation of said State and its admission into Control is not able to respond effec- the Union on an equal footing with the origi- REPUBLICANS CONCERNED WITH tively; where the Environmental Pro- nal States is now accomplished. BALANCING BUDGET tection Agency is not able to respond The centennial is a time to remember (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given to safe drinking water complaints; our roots which allows us to pass our permission to address the House for 1 where children are soon going to be heritage on to others. For nearly 50 minute and to revise and extend his re- ushered out of Head Start programs. years, Utah teetered on the brink of marks.) That is bad enough. I then realize statehood. Our predecessors understood Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I did there are thousands of workers capable the value of industry and hard work. not intend to give a 1-minute speech, of fulfilling those functions who are Early settlers planted crops, built but I thought I would reply to the gen- not going to fulfill those functions, but roads, schools, mercantiles, and by tleman before me, because I think he apparently are going to be paid for 1869, hailed the linkup of the trans- knows and I know that his party shut doing it. The issue is not whether or continental railroad. Utahns have al- down the House of Representatives, not they are going to be paid; the issue, ways recognized the need to be prudent shut down Congress, shut down the of course, is why are they not working? with their resources, cherished edu- Government nine times. You were in- They should be working. cation, and esteemed family and the volved in the last 10 or 12 years in al- So, Mr. Speaker, is this some Third community. most every kind of parliamentary World country we are talking about? It is a celebration not just for Utah move, chicanery, in dealing with the No, this is the United States of Amer- but one for the world. Invited leaders White House at that time, owned and ica. You remember the America of from 59 nations will attend the celebra- operated or run by Republicans, the ‘‘Send in the Marines,’’ ‘‘Wherever you tion to honor the immigrants from Republican Presidents there. And your go, you shall be safe’’? Remember the their countries who helped make Utah party was involved in doing much more America, where you hold up the silver what it is today. than we have even started to do, which dollar and the eagle is always strong, This is a moment we've all been waiting for. is to try to balance the budget. and the flag flies free and proud? That It is a time for pondering and expressing our Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to is our America. gratitude for the wonders of the State and a the folks on that side of the aisle that Why is this America being treated time to ponder the past and plan for the fu- I hear time and time again that the Re- now to this kind of situation? All of us ture. publicans are doing all this for tax cuts ought to be gravely concerned about Gov. Mike Leavitt stated, and I agree, that for the rich. Let me give them a quick this. I hear a lot about how it is nec- ``with the caliber of citizens in this State today, review of the Los Angeles Times story essary to shut this Government down the legacy of quality that our predecessors from yesterday, where it says ‘‘Clinton partially to get a balanced budget. worked so hard to establish will undoubtedly set to accept capital gains tax.’’ While this Government is being shut be carried on for future generations.'' If you are going to run around here down in that perhaps laudatory goal, I, as well as many others, reflect upon our saying we have tax cuts for the rich, at the same time a lot of other budgets Utah history, and recognize that the struggles you better talk to your own President. are being significantly unbalanced. H 128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Yes, the Federal employee, such as the who needed visas to get their adopted munities like Pleasantville and Ken- person being evicted in my district children out. There is no one there to nedy Heights, that would need the today. service them all across the globe. services of the Environmental Protec- But it goes beyond that. It goes to They are talking now in Vietnam tion Agency dealing with Superfund the small businesses that will not be about dunning our representative there cleanup responsibilities, they cannot getting their Small Business Adminis- $1,600 for electricity or water. We are get toxic waste areas cleaned up. The tration loan guarantees. It goes to the buying utilities on credit cards in some Superfund monies have been depleted vendors; it goes to Federal services; it of our embassies. as of last Tuesday. goes to the business person who is try- Meals on Wheels. Very important in This clean continuing resolution ing to get abroad to sell products for rural West Virginia, but across the would allow us to continue to debate his or her company, which brings dol- country as well. The only contact these very emotional issues dealing lars and jobs back to this country. many senior citizens have with the with the budget; whether we should b 1430 outside world endangered. have a $245 billion tax cut; whether or SBA is now unable to make $40 mil- not we should shut down 57 schools in And so those are the budgets that are lion a day in loan guarantees. How Texas by prohibiting them from having being unbalanced. Thousands, perhaps many small businesses are there? direct student loans for their students. millions across this country every day. About 260 a day, actually, that need And when I say shut down, shut down And when do we hear about those? that money to either meet their line of the opportunity of those students to go I hear a lot about how because many credit, to start that new product, or to to college. of us voted to sustain the President’s hire a couple of extra people. I might add, too, that the list is veto, in effect not approving the Inte- Export licenses from the Department growing of supporters who want this rior appropriations bill a little while of Commerce are backed up. Billions of resolution to come to the floor, and it ago, or Commerce, State, Justice yes- dollars of lost opportunities. Those are is different from the one of the other terday, that somehow that shut the American jobs, jobs exporting abroad, body, because the other body’s resolu- Government down. not able to do it. tion was until January 11. And I ap- It is interesting, because 9 of the ap- Got a problem with your water? Con- plaud Senator DOLE, but now we have propriation bills that run this govern- cerned about it? Do not call the EPA, come to the end of this week and we ment, 9 of the 13, were not to the Presi- you will only get voice mail. The EPA. still have not gotten a budget com- dent’s desk by October 1, which is the We are not able to respond to basic en- promise. So FRANK PALLONE, ROBERT beginning of the financial year. Some vironmental concerns? The fact is ne- MENENDEZ, CHET EDWARDS, BOB WISE, of them did not get there for months, gotiators need to negotiate and Federal CHUCK SCHUMER, HENRY B. GONZALEZ, but even then, does a veto, a Presi- Government workers need to work. MIKE MCNULTY, IKE SKELTON, GENE dential veto mean somehow the Gov- f TAYLOR, JERRY NADLER, KAREN ernment is shut down? THURMAN, BOBBY SCOTT, EDDIE BERNICE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a I have had the privilege of serving in JOHNSON, BILL HEFNER, LYNN RIVERS, previous order of the House, the gen- this Congress now through President MIKE WARD, and WILLIAM JEFFERSON tleman from California [Mr. HORN] is Reagan and President Bush, as well as are now adding their names to this ef- recognized for 5 minutes. President Clinton. Basically, in all fort of bipartisanship. that time under the House leadership, [Mr. HORN addressed the House. His As we speak today, we are losing $50 and it was a Democratic leadership ex- remarks will appear hereafter in the million a day, ladies and gentlemen, cept for, of course, the present one, in Extensions of Remarks.] my colleagues, by this shutdown. All no time during that period did this f total we have lost $550 million. We are Government ever shut down because in the middle of a peacekeeping respon- SUPPORT A CLEAN CONTINUING the House leadership said to President sibility in Bosnia. Our young men and RESOLUTION TO OPEN THE GOV- Reagan, with whom there was great women need us. We need our resources. ERNMENT differences, or said to President Bush, We need to use our tax dollars effec- we are going to shut this entire Gov- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tively. ernment down because you have vetoed previous order of the House, the gentle- What have we seen in the headlines an appropriations bill. We keep the woman from Texas [Ms. JACKSON-LEE] besides the budget? We see corpora- Government moving in an orderly fash- is recognized for 5 minutes. tions laying off 40,000 people. We need ion. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. to be in the business of providing and Never, never have I seen this kind of Speaker, I may be comforted that I creating jobs. Our small businesses in situation. In fact, I challenge anyone have heard more voices coming to this the 18th Congressional District, who to find a 20-day shutdown. Congratula- well and really asking in a very sincere would receive small business loans, tions. I consider it the legislative and honest manner can we not all get which, in fact, in my view, are the Heisman Trophy for bringing a govern- along; and, in fact, answer the Amer- backbone of America, cannot, in fact, ment to its knees. ican people in an affirmative answer by get those loans to keep their employees Now, what is the impact that goes saying we can and we will open this hired. beyond the Federal budget? Let us talk Government, and we will allow our And, likewise, those small businesses for a second. Forty million dollars a citizens to go back to work not so who are involved in Government con- day of payroll to workers who are not much because they are Federal em- tracts, they are unable to meet their being able to do their jobs. That is the ployees, but because they are public obligations because they are not get- first loss to the taxpayers. The last 4- servants who are doing the business of ting paid. Businesses that rely on con- day shutdown in November cost this the public, providing essential and nec- tracts for services with the Small Busi- Government, cost the taxpayer, $700 essary responsibilities that this Gov- ness Administration are at a risk dur- million for 4 days in payroll as well as ernment is entrusted to do. ing this shutdown. In fact, several busi- lost revenues. With that, I am comforted by the nesses who are awaiting payment from It means that half the Head Start more than 40 of my colleagues that the Small Business Administration are children in this country soon will not have joined me in supporting a clean closing their doors. That may not be be able to attend that program. Who continuing resolution that would open 40,000 employees, ladies and gentlemen, pays for that? What is the loss to those this Government for at least 2 weeks, it may amount to hundreds of thou- children? to January 19, fund the existing oper- sands. And the reason is because this It means the Centers for Disease Con- ations at at least 90 percent, so that we country is filled with independent en- trol cannot respond to flu outbreaks. It would not have the crisis that we are trepreneurs who I am so very proud of means, for instance, that in the State facing. who are trying to work. Department, where just during the last In Houston we have only four Envi- So I would ask the leadership, the shutdown an anguished father con- ronmental Protection Agency employ- Republican leadership, join me with tacted me about his children in Russia ees. They cannot do their job. So com- this continuing resolution. It is offered January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 129 in a bipartisan effort. We have over 40 me somewhat, and that is the problem mushroom and balloon like it is, I Members who have joined already to that we have. know what countries do whose debts cosponsor a resolution that would open It is easy to talk about let us balance become unmanageable. They devalue the Government, stop the bleeding, the Nation’s budget, but when we actu- their currency. stop the loss of money, but let us con- ally get down to doing it, it is very dif- I will submit this to the American tinue to debate whether we cut Medi- ficult. One thing that is bothersome is, people. If they see Members of Congress care and Medicaid, whether we cut the whether it is the Republicans or wheth- leaving this institution and they are education loans, whether we cut in the er it is Democrats, there is this blame starting to buy gold, Americans better environment, but open the Government game that goes on in this town. And buy gold, because we can see what is so we are not losing $50 million a day. when we feel the heat back home by about to happen. This funds the Government at 90 per- our constituents or Federal workers or So it is easy to come here and wrap cent. It allows people to be back at someone who cannot get a passport or ourselves around whatever issue. There work doing the nursing home inspec- visa, it is easy to quickly blame some- is no ownership on the issues of com- tions that they are entitled and must one else. Or if, in fact, someone is passion. Some like to believe there are, be responsible to do, opening the na- working in a Veterans Administration but there are not. I neither believe that tional parks, opening the monuments, and someone calls to have a need and the milk of human kindness has taking down the image internationally they say, well, just call your Congress- soured, nor will I give in to the tears of that the Government is shut down. Our man. They would like to blame the vexation. embassies have had to send out letters Congress, and that is an easy thing to Mr. Speaker, I look at this chart and to ensure our foreign governments that do. I think what a luxury President John we are, in fact, not a government in There is something that confronts us, Kennedy must have had when he came crisis or revolution. This should not be. though, and that is the Federal Gov- to this town in the early 1960’s. Be- And let me remind my colleagues ernment cannot sustain its current fis- cause at that time he had 70 percent of that under the Constitution we are to cal policies. I do not care who we are or the budget that was discretionary work with the three branches of gov- what our background is or our par- spending. Seventy percent. Twenty- ernment, and we must work with the tisanship, that is a fact. The spending three percent was entitlement, 7 per- President and this House and the Sen- commitments will far exceed the reve- cent was interest on the debt. By 2002, ate. Let us work together, pass House nues available to meet the Federal the discretionary spending will have Joint Resolution 155, and allow us to Government’s obligations. That is a gone from the 70 percent all the way to open this Government up. It is most fact. So we cannot deal on assump- only 28 percent. tions. Assumptions carry great liabil- important. House Joint Resolution 155. b 1445 Let us pass it and open the Govern- ity. ment. Facts are stubborn things. It is a con- So when we subtract 16 percent of the 28 percent for the military budget, we f dition, not a theory, which presently confronts us. Look at this chart here are not arguing over much anymore, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a for a moment. This is what confronts because the mandatory spending side, previous order of the House, the gen- us. We have a national debt. Look at entitlements and interest, they over- tleman from North Carolina [Mr. this national debt and the explosion. take itself. It is wrong and we have to JONES] is recognized for 5 minutes. There is a great blame game when they balance the budget. Let us not give in [Mr. JONES addressed the House. His say this national debt. They blame it to the rhetoric today. remarks will appear hereafter in the on the 12 years of the Reagan-Bush era, f Extensions of Remarks.] as if Congress did not pass spending CLEAN CONTINUING RESOLUTION f bills. So when they cut taxes, they did WILL PUT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ORDER OF BUSINESS not cut spending, and we got a mush- BACK TO WORK room in the national debt. Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask I came to Congress in 1992. I am not The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. unanimous consent to speak out of interested in a blame game here. I LAHOOD). Under a previous order of the order in place of the gentleman from know what confronts us. Fact is what House, the gentleman from Missouri North Carolina [Mr. JONES]. confronts us. [Mr. VOLKMER] is recognized for 5 min- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there If my colleagues would time travel utes. objection to the request of the gen- with me and we say, now in the year Mr. VOLKMER. Mr. Speaker, I wish tleman from Indiana? 2002 we balance the budget, well, this to commend the gentleman from Indi- There was no objection. bothers me. I am not satisfied. I am ana [Mr. BUYER], who just spoke, for f not satisfied because I know the na- his steadfastness for an effort to bal- tional debt will continue to grow from ance the budget, but I must disagree TALK IS EASY; BALANCING THE its $4.9 trillion today to around $6.8 or with him to the extent as far as he will BUDGET IS DIFFICULT $6.9 trillion. This national debt, this go by saying that we must have a vi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a will take us up to about 2030 to 2035 to sion, and the vision is that we balance previous order of the House, the gen- bring it back into better balance. I will the budget in 7 years, and in the mean- tleman from Indiana [Mr. BUYER] is not even be alive. time, we make people suffer recognized for 5 minutes. So people say, STEVE, why are you unendlessly. Those people who are suf- Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, actually, I doing this? It is very easy to come here fering are innocent victims, not only do believe with some of the Members to the floor and say all of these things. Federal employees but contractors, pri- here on the floor, we could actually Oh, my gosh, we have Federal workers vate businesses, et cetera, in order to work out the budget deal. Don’t you not being paid. Here are some of the reach that goal, and it is not nec- think? That is about how I feel at the impacts. Here is someone that needs a essary. moment, is to override that which is visa to come back to school from what- Mr. Speaker, I tell the gentleman down below the hill so that we can get ever country they are from. Or here is from Indiana, he and others on his side it done. someone that needs to go overseas for had an opportunity to vote for the coa- One thing that did bother me, before a particular job, or whatever is going lition balanced budget amendment I start in on this, is when I heard one on. that many of us supported, and they of my colleagues mention the word There are numerous examples, and did not, for the sole reason that it did ‘‘perhaps.’’ Balancing the budget is per- we can go on and on and on. Do we give not include a big tax cut for the haps a laudatory thing to do. Perhaps in to the moment or do we permit the wealthy. That is the only reason. is kind of a word like a maybe. Like eyes of our minds to see the greater vi- So, it tells me that what they really balancing the budget may be a good sion? And the greater vision is saving want is a big tax cut for the wealthy at thing to do. It does not imply any form the country. Save the country. Because the same time they want to cut back of desirability, which, in fact, bothers if we permit the national debt to just on Medicare, et cetera. But that is not H 130 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 really why I want to take the 5 min- along with us. We got 2, and that is all form their functions. Blood banks are utes. I just want to emphasize that I, from the majority party. running out of the supply of blood. too, support a balanced budget in 7 The Gingrich Republicans refused to Meals on Wheels is facing the con- years, but I do not want to give the tax let us even take that up. They said, sequences of a shutdown. cut and cut Medicare and all those ‘‘No. We are going to keep the Govern- We know also that there has been other things at same time. ment shut down until we get our way.’’ some discussion about having a con- We can have a balanced budget. Pure blackmail. That is all it is. tinuing resolution bit by bit to put a There is no question in my mind that if Mr. Speaker, this has never happened few more agencies back in operation. I the majority party would decide to go before in the history of this country. would submit to this House that if we with the coalition budget, we could We have never had a shutdown to this have a bit-by-bit continuing resolution, pass it and I think the President would magnitude and to this length of time. that we are going to have a lot of orga- sign it and we would have it done, but And how much longer will it go? Well, nizations, people, American citizens, that is not what they want. we are going to have to ask Speaker falling through the cracks, because The other thing, what I really came GINGRICH, because he is the only one there are enormous consequences and here to talk about is I keep hearing in that can tell us. All the rest of the Re- ripple effects of this shutdown. this well, and I heard it in December publicans are going to follow him just Home buyers, home buyers who are and I have heard it ever since Decem- like a pied piper. If he decides that we looking for the VA or FHA loans would ber 15, telling us that the President has do a continuing resolution, we will do be affected by it. Federal contractors not come forth with his budget; that he it. If he decides we do not, we will not. would be affected by it. I brought just agreed in the November 20 continuing So, we will have to ask Speaker GING- a few of the many, many letters I have resolution to bring a balanced budget. RICH whether this is going to last an- received from Federal contractors. That is not what it says. other month, a week, 2 weeks or what- That means jobs and continuation of Mr. Speaker, I am sorry the gen- ever. employment. tleman from South Carolina and others Mr. Speaker, I say all we need is a HIV–AIDS, a stop work order for a who have made that statement, that continuing resolution, a clean one, and company in Montgomery County, MD. Another company that is dependent on they either cannot read, and that is a we can get everybody back to work. We tourism in publications has had to lay sorry affair for somebody to be in the can still negotiate on a balanced budg- off people. Another company that deals Congress that cannot read, or, if they et. with the EPA. Another one that deals can read, they do not understand what f with the EPA through Superfund. Can they read. REQUEST FOR SPECIAL ORDER my colleagues imagine the toxic waste I would like to read to the Members sites that will not be cleaned because of Congress, for those who have not Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 5 min- of this? read that resolution, what it actually Aerospace, information and environ- utes in place of the gentleman from says. ment, NASA, these are all contractors North Carolina [Mr. FUNDERBURK]. Section 203: Commitment to a 7-Year Bal- that even if we pay our Federal em- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. anced Budget. The President and the Con- ployees, and I have been involved very LAHOOD). Is there objection to the re- gress shall enact legislation in the first ses- much in making sure they will be paid, sion of the 104th Congress to achieve a bal- quest of the gentlewoman from Mary- these Federal contractors will not be anced budget not later than the fiscal year land? paying these people who are furloughed 2002, as estimated by the Congressional There was no objection. Budget Office; and, the President and the and some may even lose health benefits f Congress agree that the balanced budget over a period of time. must protect future generations, ensure CONSEQUENCES OF GOVERNMENT So, Mr. Speaker, I would say we have Medicare solvency, reform welfare, and pro- SHUTDOWN got to work together. A clean continu- vide adequate funding for Medicaid, edu- ing resolution is what we want until we The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a cation, agriculture, national defense, veter- reach the resolution of this budget in previous order of the House, the gentle- ans and the environment. Further, the bal- terms of the deliberation. I say to the anced budget shall adopt tax policies to help woman from Maryland [Mrs. MORELLA] President, get that 7-year budget working families and stimulate future eco- is recognized for 5 minutes. scored by CBO in front of the nego- nomic growth. Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker and tiators. I say to the negotiators, stay This does not say anything about the Members of this body, it was yesterday there, stay there until it is done. I say President submitting a balanced budg- that I took part in a bipartisan press to my colleagues, I hope the President et to anybody, but yet they keep in- conference that dealt with a group and I hope my colleagues will consider sisting the reason they shut down the called the Federal Employee Emer- withholding their salaries when Fed- Government is because the President gency Assistance. It was there that we eral employees are not being paid. I say has not submitted a balanced budget to discussed the fact that the people who to my colleagues, there should be no them. They submitted their balanced are receiving the assistance by and recess for this House until we get the budget and they say the President has large are people who are receiving in- Government back in full operation. not submitted his. come in the range of $20,000 to $27,000 a f Mr. Speaker, the President never year, who are single heads of house- agreed to do that. There is not one hold; most of them are women. CONGRESS SHOULD DO A REALITY statement in there about the President Can my colleagues imagine these CHECK AND REOPEN THE GOV- submitting a balanced budget. What is people who are not receiving a pay- ERNMENT really interesting to me is the condi- check who have to pay rent or a mort- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tions that they now put on a CR, con- gage or utility bills? Well, I and my previous order of the House, the gentle- tinuing resolution. Back on October 1, colleagues who were there have pledged woman from Colorado [Mrs. SCHROE- we had a CR, a continuing resolution, support to this fund, but this fund DER] is recognized for 5 minutes. that ran into November. It did not should not be so overloaded, as it is Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I have any conditions. now, with the calls that are coming in, have come to the floor, as many others The President stands today, and we the emergency calls, if we did not have have, to point out here it is, Thursday on this side stand, ready to sign and this shutdown. afternoon. It is the 20th day of the vote for a continuing resolution to This is day 20. I have spoken often shutdown and the Congress has no busi- keep this Government going. We about it. My colleagues have spoken ness, and that is because we are not al- proved that yesterday. We wanted to often about it. Every day the cir- lowed to bring up the main business take up the resolution of Senator cumstances become more dire in terms that everyone in America wonders why DOLE, the majority leader from the of the consequences. We have problems we are not dealing with and the sad Senate, that would have kept this Gov- now with the Centers for Disease Con- fact the Government is shut down. ernment working, but we could not get trol not being able to perform its func- The Government is shut down and we 20 Members from the other side to go tions and NIH not being able to per- are being denied the right to come to January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 131 this floor, have a debate on that, and Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on my district. Some of the senior citizens put the bills up so everybody can see and on, but I think the thing that are in the Meals on Wheels Program. I how we vote. We have had over 12 votes makes me the craziest is listening to talked to them. They said: Mr. MICA, on whether or not to keep this Govern- this piety about we have to do this be- we would be willing to miss a meal or ment open. Yesterday we had one, and cause of a balanced budget and because meals if it meant our contribution, it was to try and bring up the resolu- the President is not using the right making our contribution toward bal- tion that came from the other body, numbers and he will not come down ancing our Federal budget. I almost the resolution that came unanimously with the right numbers for the year cried when I heard them say that. from the other body, the resolution 2002. Reality check, people. We have Then I talked to the program admin- that said enough is enough is enough is not even done the budget for this year. istrator. The program administrator enough in a bipartisan unanimous fash- We should be talking about the year said: Mr. MICA, we know you have to ion and said reopen the Government, 2002? balance the budget, but let me tell you, and we were denied the right to bring Next reality check. In the year 2002, when you balance that budget, include that up. this President, even if he is reelected, in it, as you have done, a proposal that Now, all day long I heard people give will not be President in 2002. This would give us flexibility because we get excuses. I heard that someone should President cannot bind future Presi- money and we cannot spend money be- come down with their keys, and they dents. cause of stupid Federal regulations. So said, ‘‘I do not have the key to open Mr. Speaker, let me give you another do that. the Government on my key chain.’’ reality check. Most of us are not going That is what this debate is about. We Yeah, every one of us do. It is not a to be in this body in the year 2002, es- have allowed that. That is what this key; it is a voting card. We all have got pecially if we keep acting like this holdup is about because we know that a voting card. That is the key to open- bunch of clowns that it looks like to the President will not make these pro- ing the Government up. the average person. Even if we were, we gram changes. That is one of the pro- There have been 12 votes. If you look cannot bind future Congresses. gram changes. at how people vote, you will find that So, Mr. Speaker, here we are not Then let us talk about Head Start. I of the majority in this body, the Ging- doing our work this year and blaming have always been an advocate of Head rich Republicans have voted no-no-no- it on the fact we do not like the kind Start. I love Head Start. Who would no-no every single time, and now be- of budget the President is committing not want to give a deserving child a cause they are afraid we might win we to 7 years from now when he will not head start? Then I looked at the pro- are not allowed to bring anything up. grams in my district, and I almost Mr. Speaker, let me just point out even be here and saying our numbers are not as good or his numbers are not threw up. Let me tell my colleagues there are a few more historic data that what we do with Head Start. Let me we should have out there. It is also al- as good as the numbers they have. Mr. Speaker, we also hear about how tell you, Mr. Speaker, and also my col- most 100 days into this fiscal year, 100 leagues what we do with Head Start. days, and we have not finished the much better and how much more they care about the balanced budget. I am a I have 18 teachers in one program in budget. Can you believe it? We are al- a community Head Start; not 1 teacher most a third of the way through it and Member who voted for the Democratic budget on this floor, and I want to tell is certified, not one is certified. But we we have not tapped it. have 11 administrative force for 450 Second, it is the first anniversary of my colleagues on the other side, your children. This is sick. This is sick, 11 Speaker GINGRICH taking the gavel. I scoring office, the Congressional Budg- administrators. I thought we would remember a year ago sitting here when et Office, will tell you that the budget change this. No, you cannot change it he was talking about we were going to that I voted for has a much lower defi- because it is required by Federal law have open rules, we are going to debate cit than the ones the majority party is these things, and so forth. Well, 1 year pushing. The Congressional Budget Of- and regulations. So our children who later we cannot even bring up the bills fice says that in the year 1997, ours is need this assistance, what are they get- that we think are fair. $30 billion below in deficit, and I could ting? They are getting second-class Mr. Speaker, we think we should be go on with the rest of the numbers. But education. That is what this is about, able to bring up the Senate resolution let us get the facts and do the reality. spending more and getting less. I am opening the Government. We think we Let us get the Government open, and sick of it. should not be receiving our pay when let us stop playing games. All right, let me tell you, you could send the kids in my district, you could there are Federal employees out there f not receiving their pay. Here we are send them to the best private schools, with our held harmless policy, and we b 1500 preschools we have got, and spend less and give the parents a $1,000 check and said we were going to abide by the laws SOME OF THE FACTS everyone else did. still come out better. I have not count- What about all the contract employ- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ed the money that they are spending ees you are hearing about? Well, it is LAHOOD). Under a previous order of the on the administration for Washington OK. We will get charity for the Federal House, the gentleman from Florida and Atlanta and then you impose on employees. We will get them interest- [Mr. MICA] is recognized for 5 minutes. our State and locals to administer free loans. We know there are 10,000 Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I want to these programs. I get upset when I hear contractors with employees alone deal- take some time to deal this afternoon this. ing with EPA and Superfund sites that with something that often is lost in Then the President has the gall to go have been shut down. Now, those 10,000 this debate. That is some of the facts. before us and say: Environmental Pro- contractors all happen to have employ- Yesterday the President of the Unit- tection Agency, shut down toxic waste. ees, and we have no way to guarantee ed States in a press conference went Can you think of a bigger toxic waste that they get to come back to work or before the American people and made a program than EPA? The whole pro- they get their pay or what happens to series of statements about what this gram is EPA. I sat on the subcommit- them. shutdown, and he blamed it on the Re- tee that investigated EPA for 2 years; Mr. Speaker, that is just one teeny publicans, would do. I thought this 85 percent of the money goes for attor- weeny little facet. So to say we will try afternoon it would be interesting to ney’s fees and studies. Even the GAO and get charity for the Federal employ- deal with some of the facts and our per- produced a report, I will show it to ees still does not have anything to do spective and what this debate is all anyone that wants to see it. It says with the magnitude that is out there. about. A lot of the debate is about toxic waste site cleanups are done on We know 240 small businesses a day are spending more, as they have done in the basis of a political decision, not on denied the money that they need from the past, and getting less in return. the basis of public health and safety the Small Business Administration for Let us look at what the President and concern for our children. bridge loans for creating new jobs, for said. He said this week the Meals on So, then he goes on and says, lets do expansion, for whatever. What happens Wheels Program for seniors will run this, that EPA’s efforts to prevent to that fallout? out of money. I talked to my seniors in cryptosporidium from contaminating H 132 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 water supplies, something that proved that has actually been fully enacted Yes, we must care about those single deadly, threatened the city of Milwau- called the Congressional Accountabil- parents and single mothers and single kee, have been badly delayed, have ity Act. Do you know what? That bill gentlemen who are working and have been badly delayed. First of all, let me was passed by the previous Democratic families and married couples who live tell you about cryptosporidium. It is Congress. It was held up by the Repub- on marginal incomes. That is very im- caused by deer feces. It was caused by licans in the Senate. So we passed it portant to small businesses and every deer feces, as I believe. again. This time it got through the one who is being hurt by this. Let me tell my colleagues about Senate and signed by the President. That is all true. I hope that we will, water contamination. Under Federal There have been two other bills, the within this week, come to some resolu- law and Federal regulation, we looked Unfunded Mandate Act and Paperwork tion. But what bothers me is that the into this. We investigated it; 54 con- Reduction, both of which the President rhetoric here is so shrill, so biting, so taminants are required by law by stat- wanted. negative about this Congress. This ute for EPA to investigate. That is So that is what we have to show for House of Representatives has in fact what they told us they were doing. it. done more of what the people sent us They were doing the inflexible thing One of those promises that was made to do than any Congress before it. I do that Congress mandates that we are in the Contract With America, if the not care how much those who attack trying to change so that we could look Republican leadership had kept it, we the reform movement by calling it rev- at water contamination so that we never would be in this position. It olutionaries or whatever may say. We could spend less and get more instead would not be the most destructive Con- have done what the American people of the opposite. gress in our Nation’s history. If the sent us here to do. Then Medicare contractors who serve Congress had made good on their prom- The issue they would like on this side our elderly are not being paid. I will ise in the Contract With America to of the aisle clouds the issue. The issue tell my colleagues what that debate is pass a line-item veto, the President is, when are we going to put America about. I come from Florida. We have a today would have been able to delete back on a sound financial basis? When billion dollar’s worth of contractor all those extraneous ideological, inap- are we going to balance the budget? fraud in Florida in Medicare and a bil- propriate, nongermane provisions in When are we going to have meaningful lion dollar’s worth in Medicaid. That is the appropriation bills that have been welfare reform? When are we going to $2 billion. How many elderly could we sent to him. He could clean up the return power to the States and to the serve in this Nation if we would elimi- mess, clean up those appropriation individuals? The debate is about basic nate the fraud, waste, and abuse? So bills, enact them and we would be fin- policy, not about numbers, the debate that is what this is about, spending ished with this. Every one of them between this Congress and its leaders more and getting less. could have been enacted. and a President who does not want any f Of course, they would not have been of those things. So the problem is not enacted in time. After 10 months of just with the Congress; the White LEAST PRODUCTIVE, MOST wrangling, almost exclusively between House has to take its share of the DESTRUCTIVE CONGRESS the Republicans in the Senate and the blame. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Republicans in the House, we were Let us review a minute what hap- previous order of the House, the gen- marginalized. They could not agree pened after the last shutdown. We gave tleman from Virginia [Mr. MORAN] is among themselves. By the end of the the President 30 days. He traveled recognized for 5 minutes. last fiscal year and the beginning of around the world. He never came to the Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday this fiscal year, when those appropria- table until the 15th, when we had an- we ended the first session of the Repub- tion bills had to be enacted, one had other shutdown. So he absolutely blew lican revolutionary Congress. We heard been sent to the President. Do you 30 days when he could have worked from a lot of folks that are typical of know which one it was? It was the leg- with the leadership in this Congress to revolutionaries, full of self-righteous islative branch appropriations bill to come to some agreement. Will that zeal, people who firmly believe that the fund the Congress itself. Thank God happen again if we start the Govern- end justifies the means, people who are President Clinton vetoed it. Imagine if ment up? I certainly hope not. I hope almost wholly intolerant of other peo- we were the only ones who were fund- the President has learned a lesson that ple’s point of view. But let us look in- ed; none of the rest of the Government the American people want the basic is- side that first session of the last Con- but we have taken care of ourselves. sues, they want a balanced budget. gress to see what it actually accom- That line-item veto, which was prom- They want welfare reform. He promised plished. ised in the context of so much rhetoric, it. They want to return power to the When we do, we have to come to the is tied up in a conference between the States. The calls in my district, while conclusion that yesterday marked the Republicans in the Senate and the Re- they do not support hurting people who last day of the least productive, most publicans in the House. Let us move it are working and not paying them, are destructive session of Congress in our out of conference. Send it to the Presi- strongly for the basic issues here. Bal- Nation’s history. Despite all of the dent. The President could take it. ance the budget, welfare reform, do the promises, all of the rhetoric, we have Clean up the appropriation bills. We things that we said we were going to virtually nothing to show for it. could open up the Government and get do. People across the country want I will not go into all the quotes from back down to the business of govern- that. If my colleagues on the other side the various commentators and news ing. That is what we ought to do. In- of the aisle think they can run a cam- sources and experts from both Repub- stead, we are stuck with a new session paign next November and win on doing lican and conservative think tanks of Congress that again will be the least nothing and on blocking the reforms, I alike. They all concur. Loads of rhet- productive, most destructive session of think they are sadly, sadly mistaken. oric, loads of promises, virtually no Congress in our Nation’s history. What we want is a President who will performance. I do not have a fancy f negotiate and work with the leadership chart. I have just a little Xerox copy to come to an agreement. I just want that tracks the bills from previous ses- GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN to refer to an article in the paper sions of Congress. It used to be that we The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a today. It just says very briefly in the enacted about 450 bills a year. The last previous order of the House, the gen- Washington Post that, if the President time the Republicans controlled Con- tleman from Illinois [Mr. EWING] is rec- and leaders of the Republican Congress gress, it dropped to 250 bills. Then it ognized for 5 minutes. agree on a plan to balance the budget, goes along until this last session of the Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I think all the benefits could mean roughly $1,000 Congress we ended yesterday, and it of us come to the well today, I hope a year for every American family. At drops off the cliff. with some reason, to discuss the Gov- today’s interest rates, the trillion-dol- It looks like the 1929 stock market ernment shutdown. Yes, it is devastat- lar government debt that would be crash. There is only one bill really in ing and, yes, there are people who avoided by a balanced budget would that whole Contract With America should be paid. I support paying them. save the taxpayers over the next 7 January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 133 years $60 billion. It is worth it. It is our tions for passports. On this day and BALANCING THE BUDGET IN 7 children’s future. It is the future of each of the days this Government has YEARS IS NEITHER RADICAL OR this country. I hope the American peo- been shut down no application for pass- EXTREME ple will listen to reason. I know that ports are being processed. On an aver- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a they believe in what we are trying to age day the State Department issued previous order of the House, the gen- do. some 20,000 visas to visitors who spent tleman from Tennessee [Mr. DUNCAN] is f an average of $3,000 for a total of $60 recognized for 5 minutes. b 1515 million, but for this little girl who is 10 Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have years old this is no average day. two things to say about the budget de- THIS IS ABOUT REAL PEOPLE They are not just numbers; they are bate: First, the overwhelming majority The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. people. When we talk about the com- of the American people do not believe METCALF). Under a previous order of mon good for the multitude, we must it is radical or extreme, in any way, to the House, the gentlewoman from remember those multitudes are made require the Federal Government to bal- North Carolina [Mrs. CLAYTON] is rec- up of individual people who make up ance its budget in 7 years; and second, ognized for 5 minutes. this great America. if this was a Republican President in Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I agree office, the national media would be with the last speaker, this is a great I intend to do all in my power to help pointing out every day and in fact debate, this is a debate about who is this little girl get home, but I cannot harping on the fact that the President important, who is not. It is a debate, I do it alone. We need reasonable people has still not submitted a balanced think, about the future, it is about the on both sides to understand what we budget plan some 6 or 7 weeks after he future we will allow all Americans to are doing to this Government is fool- promised to do so. share in, hopefully. But I want to share ishness and this needs to stop. But a Apparently he is keeping the Govern- with my colleagues a letter I received simple act by this House following the ment shut down because he sees par- today from a mother of a 10-year-old responsible bipartisan act of the Sen- tisan political advantage in doing so. girl. This letter is about a young girl ate where both Republicans and Demo- Now on the something else, also re- that lives in Wilmington, my congres- crats unanimously say that this Gov- lated to the budget, and that is the sional district, with her mother and fa- ernment should be open while we have spending of billions and billions of our ther. Her mother and father are musi- this great debate. We should do that. tax dollars in Rwanda, Haiti, Somalia, cians who have served as ambassadors All we need now is 20 reasonable Re- and now Bosnia. for the U.S. Information Agency. On publicans to join with the Democrats Anyone who opposed all this waste December 20 this little girl, 10 years on this side to follow the example that has been insulted with the description old, traveled to Germany to visit her the Senate has done. Both Republicans of isolationist, even if that description ailing stepmother, a stepmother who and Democrats have come together to was totally inaccurate and even if they has cancer and is in treatment taking say the Government should go on while wanted trade and friendly relations chemotherapy, but this is not where we have this great debate. with all nations. It is just not politi- the story ends; it is really where it be- cally correct or fashionable today to be gins. Do not hold this little girl in hos- an isolationist. Let me read her mother’s letter. It is tage. What will we tell her when we That is why I read with such great self-explanatory. She writes: I hope come home? What lessons are we teach- interest a syndicated column this past you can help. We have a 10-year-old ing her as we do this? What lessons are Tuesday by Charley Reese, which I in- stranded in Germany who is supposed we exemplifying to the rest of the clude for the RECORD. to return home by January 8 and whose world, that we cannot have a serious Mr. Reese does not live inside the passport expired January 2. This moth- debate unless we hold people who are beltway, and he frequently writes with er continued: She is flying Delta from innocent as leverage, as hostage? such great commonsense that he is Frankfort to Atlanta, and the Delta This is no way for responsible people about as plain spoken and politically Airline international desk has told me to govern their Nation. Yes, we are not incorrect as you can get these days. that they will not let her board. This being responsible, Mr. Speaker, be- Time will not permit me to read all concerned mother goes on: The Ham- cause indeed we are making real people of his column, but I would like to read burg consulate has told her father that suffer, real people, not just some imag- most of it. These are words you do not they cannot issue a new passport due inative number of the future, but real often hear in Washington, at least in to the shutdown. Then she asks, could people are suffering; senior citizens are polite company. you please ask them to make an excep- The column previously referred to is suffering, and the prospect of their tion? She is an unaccompanied minor. as follows: Meals on Wheels not being there to Mr. Speaker, I enter this letter into feed people who desperately need those. [From The Sentinel, Jan. 2, 1996] the RECORD: We certainly are making people suffer (By Charley Reese) To Eva Clayton: Those of us who oppose squandering Amer- I have not been able to reach you by phone. who are eligible for Social Security ican flesh and treasure in foreign places I hope you can help. We have a 10 year old who cannot even process their applica- where we have no national interests are stranded in Germany who’s supposed to re- tion. Why? There is no one there to called isolationists by the internationalists. turn home Jan. 8th, but whose passport ex- take the application. That’s OK. It is intended as an insult, as pired Jan. 2nd. She’s flying Delta from Yes, Mr. Speaker, if that is not bad when Alan Ladd called Jack Palance a ‘‘low- Frankfort to Atlanta. Delta Airlines Inter- down lying Yankee dog’’ in Shane. We Amer- national Desk has told me they will not let enough, in this bitter cold season we do not have heat. The heat program that icans understand that because the her board. The Hamburg Consulate has told internationalists are too embarrassed (or her father that they cannot issue a new pass- we had made available for what we call afraid of prosecution) to tell the truth, they port due to the shut-down. Could you please the Low Income Home Energy Assist- have no choice but to resort to name-calling ask them to make an exception since she is ance Program is no longer available. and wind-bagging to rationalize these mis- an unaccompanied minor? We appreciate No one has that opportunity. In the adventures. your help! Thanks bitter cold we will say no to those peo- Wind-bagging is when you toss out a lot of Mr. Speaker, imagine a 10-year-old ple. Why? Because we want to make undefinable words and phrases such as ‘‘sav- girl alone, away from her parents, ing America’s soul,’’ ‘‘maintaining American them sacrificial lambs. away from school, in a foreign land, leadership,’’ ‘‘preserving stability,’’ or and she is told by her government she Mr. Speaker, on this 20th day we ‘‘moral obligation.’’ is not able to go home and she is not hope again we could find 20 reasonable It would be embarrassing indeed if the Republicans to join and follow the ex- internationalists were forced to explain why able to come to the United States to go they have a moral obligation to intervene in back to school. Why? Because its gov- emplary bipartisan responsible act of a foreign civil war while they feel no moral ernment is closed. the Senate and put this Government obligation at all to tell the American people On an average day the State Depart- back to work while we have this great the truth, rebuild their infrastructure or bal- ment processed some 23,000 applica- debate. ance their budget. H 134 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996

. . . Washington said ‘‘It is our policy to Mr. Speaker, I think Senator DOLE, this, I am very proud of it, but there is steer clear of permanent alliances with any the majority leader of the other party, no second income in my family.’’ portion of the foreign world. The great rule a Member of the Republican Party, It is time to put Federal workers of conduct for us, in regard to foreign na- leader of the Senate, was right when he back to work. tions, is in extending commercial relations to have with them as little political connec- said enough is enough. I do not see any f sense in what we have been doing. Let tion as possible.’’ ONE TRILLION DOLLARS MORE IS me repeat that. Senator DOLE said, ‘‘I America prospered under that policy and TOO MUCH could prosper under it again. Why do Ameri- don’t see any sense in what we’ve been cans have to defend 300 million Europeans doing. I would hope that we would have The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a from 150 million bankrupt Russians? That’s quick action in the House. People have previous order of the House, the gen- the question Pat Buchanan asks, and it’s a been gone from their jobs long enough. tleman from Kansas [Mr. TIAHRT] is question Americans ought to ask of every Enough is enough.’’ recognized for 5 minutes. internationalist politician. Why do Ameri- BOB DOLE was right. NEWT GINGRICH Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I think cans have to enforce peace in Bosnia? Why that the Dole campaign is going to be do Americans have to finance peace treaties and his supporters in this House are in the Middle East? Why do Americans have wrong. We should pass a clean continu- very pleased with all of the support he to rebuild Bosnia when (a) we didn’t tear it ing resolution and immediately reopen is getting from across the aisle in the up, and (b) our own cities need rebuilding? the Federal Government. Democrat Party. I hope they will at- Medal of Honor winner and Marine Gen. We are not talking about statistics tend the fundraisers and help Senator Smedley Butler, who became an isolationist, and numbers here, Mr. Speaker. We are DOLE gain the Presidency of the United said, ‘‘I spent 33 years [in the Marines] * * * talking about real people with real States, because I think he is a good most of my time being a high-class muscle- families. Let me tell you about some of leader, which is demonstrated right man for big business, for Wall Street and the here by the support that he is getting bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for cap- those from our district who have writ- italism.’’ ten me: from the Democrat party. What we isolationists are in favor of are: Dear sir, I am scheduled to be in surgery Although I currently disagree with peace, friendly relations with all countries, for colon cancer on the 3rd of January. Be- the policy he has on this continuing trade, independence and respect for the inde- cause of the government shutdown I have resolution, I still see him as a fine pendence of others, American prosperity, not been able to resolve the question of in- leader, and the type of man that I want American liberty and American security. We come. This thing has put my life savings in for President of the United States; and are also in favor of sound war-making capa- the toilet, so I don’t have the money to come I am glad to see many of the members bility to defend America, and no place else. for the surgery. Since this thing is going to of the Democrat Party on the other wipe out my career if I can’t get some type f disability, I’m going to be the only homeless side of the aisle join with us in their support for Majority Leader DOLE over GINGRICH PLAN TO HOLD HOS- person with an oxygen bottle for emphysema President Clinton on this. TAGE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IN and a colostomy for colon cancer. I don’t find much quality of life here. I have paid I want to move on to something else, THE BUDGET DEBATE IS NO into Social Security since 1954. I also served though, because I am really wondering PROFILE IN COURAGE. in the U.S. military for 8.5 years. I find it a how long the President is going to tol- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a bad situation when I can’t get any help. At erate what is going on. I am wondering previous order of the House, the gen- 56 I’m too young to retire and too old to be how long Congress is going to tolerate retrained. tleman from Texas [Mr. EDWARDS] is what is going on. I am wondering how recognized for 5 minutes. b 1530 long the American people are going to Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, there is A veteran in my district, Mr. Speak- tolerate what is going on, even though a big difference between courage and er, who served his country in the mili- we are finally talking about a balanced kidnapping. Courage is sacrificing one- tary for 81⁄2 years, cannot get any help budget. self for a cause. On the other hand, kid- for colon cancer because of the shut- Now, we have been talking about a napping is sacrificing someone else for down, the unnecessary, unfair shut- balanced budget a long time here in a person’s self-interest. down of the Federal Government. Congress. Ever since the 104th Congress I would suggest that the Gingrich Mr. Speaker, it is fine and it is has been going on, we have been very plan to use Federal employees as hos- healthy and it is good for us to debate specifically targeting a balanced budg- tages in the budget debate is far more a balanced budget and how we are et that would take 7 years to achieve. akin to kidnapping than to courage. It going to get there. We should have that But now we are seeing a very dramatic is no profile in courage to sacrifice in- debate. My feeling is whether that de- change. The President is talking about nocent victims for someone’s own bate takes 2 days or 2 weeks or 2 it; even the liberals here in Congress cause, and that is exactly what the months longer, it is better that we do are talking about it. But the President Speaker and his supporters in the it right than to do it under the black- still wants to spend $1 trillion more House have done. They are getting mail threat of shutting down hundreds over the next 7 years than Congress their congressional paychecks while of thousands of Federal employees does, $1 trillion. they are stopping innocent Federal em- from receiving their paychecks. Now, that is a lot of money. To give ployees from getting theirs. That is not Another real person with a real fam- you some kind of an idea how much courage, that is hypocrisy at its worst. ily in my district, who is a victim of money it is, if you were to have gone in The issue before us is not whether we the Gingrich strategy: business the day after Christ rose from should balance the budget. I support Dear Representative EDWARDS: Both my the dead and you lost $1 million that that. That is an important cause. The husband and I are employed at the Central day and every day up until today, al- issue before us is how we will balance Texas Medical Center in Temple, Texas. Be- most 2,000 years, you would only be the budget over the next 7 years, and cause we both work for the VA, an under- about 80 percent of the way to losing $1 the Gingrich Republicans have no right funded Federal agency. We will receive only trillion. That is only $800 billion that to use Federal employees, hundreds of one-half of our paychecks on January 2. My you would have lost. car is five years old. We saved $1,100 to put thousands of them and their families, into a badly needed transmission. Fortu- One trillion dollars is a lot of money, to force upon this country their own nately, we have that money to get us and that is what the President wants particular plan. If the Gingrich budget through this pay period. It do not know what to spend over what Congress has put in cannot withstand the light of day, if it we would have done if it were not for that. I their budget. Do you ever wonder why? cannot stand on its own in an open cry every night when I watch the news be- There are some liberal organizations public debate in our democracy, then it cause I am so angry and worried. the President obviously supports that would be morally wrong to pass that We have another constituent that do not have the support of the majority budget simply because it is the only wrote, ‘‘Dear Mr. EDWARDS. I was fur- of this Congress, like the national bu- way to free hundreds of thousands of loughed for two weeks even though I reaucracy for the Education Associa- Federal employees. Hostage taking, was told purchasing agents were essen- tion, our current welfare bureaucracy. kidnapping, and blackmail have abso- tial on December 28, 1995. I am a single We here in Congress would like to send lutely no place in a free society. parent, and I am not whining about the solution or the money closer to the January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 135 problems and let the States deal with What it all boils down to, Mr. Speak- services that the taxes should be buy- it. They are doing it very well in the er, is that we must balance the budget. ing them. State of Kansas where I come from, We must remove Secretary O’Leary; we I wonder about my Republican and I have confidence in Governor must eliminate the Department of En- friends who claim they are concerned Graves and Rochelle Chronister, the ergy as a Cabinet-level agency. Let us about the best use of the taxpayers’ Secretary of Rehabilitation Services. get the Government back to work, cull money. I am concerned that they are They are doing a very good job. the deadwood out by eliminating the doing two things, maybe more: No. 1, What we have seen here is something Department of Energy. they are having people work, they are very ineffective. Particularly agencies f having people work, some of whom I like the Department of Energy have suppose will get paid sometime later been horribly mismanaged. Secretary FRESHMEN NOT READY TO LEAD on. We do not know. But many of them O’Leary, the Secretary of the Depart- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a are being asked to work without know- ment of Energy, has become a focal previous order of the House, the gentle- ing whether or not they are going to point because of her travel, but this is woman from California [Ms. WATERS] is get paid. just the tip of the iceberg. recognized for 5 minutes. Some of them have been disadvan- It started last year when we were Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I came to taged already. They have gotten par- looking at different agencies. The Gen- the floor this afternoon to express my tial paychecks. I am concerned about eral Accounting Office said that the very, very deep concerns about what is that. I am also concerned about the at- Department of Energy was ineffective happening here in Washington, DC. It titudes, this extremism. as a Cabinet-level agency. Vice Presi- is absolutely amazing. This is the most Do you know what Pete Wilson said dent GORE in his National Performance extraordinary occurrence that I or any- the other day when he was asked for Review said that they were 40 percent body else could possibly witness at this some help? Pete Wilson, the Governor ineffective in the environmental man- time. up in California, up in this county agement area, and it was going to cost We have right here in the Congress of called Mariposa, where they depend on taxpayers $70 billion over the next 30 the United States a group of Members, the tourism trade because of Yosemite, years unless we do something about it. elected by the people, being led by the they said they had a state of emer- Then we found out about the public newest Members of Congress, the fresh- gency because their economy has fallen relations office. The Department of En- men; being led by the newest group apart because of what these young Re- ergy hires over 500 public relations em- with the least experience, who have de- publican Members are doing; and so ployees at a cost of about $25 million to cided to shut down Government. They they asked Pete Wilson for some help. taxpayers. Secretary O’Leary has a have decided they do not care whether Pete Wilson turned them down, said personal media consultant that she or not children are hurt, families are the State of California could not help hires. She has even hired a private in- hurt; they do not care whether or not them; but then he had some advice for vestigative firm to develop a list of un- Social Security claims can be proc- them. The Governor of the State of favorable reporters and Congressmen essed; whether or not our prisons are California, Pete Wilson, said, go break so that she can ‘‘work on these people secured with employees who are work- the locks on the gates. Let them in, he a little.’’ ing there who should be paid. They do said. Defy the law. Commit a criminal Let us focus a little bit on her travel, not care about any of that. act, he said. because today in the Subcommittee on They have come here not understand- Irresponsible leadership, but of General Oversight and Investigations, ing the seriousness of their actions, course, NEWT GINGRICH and others have we found out that Secretary O’Leary and they have decided to try and hold said, they do not care if they close has taken over 100 domestic and inter- this Congress hostage to their de- Government down. All of this irra- national trips. Now, some of this travel mands. It is a kind of immature action; tional leadership. is needed, particularly in the domestic nobody expects policymakers to re- Mr. MICA was just on the floor and he area, because that is where the Sec- spond in this manner. talked about Head Start, and it was ob- retary of Energy’s responsibilities lie. One could ask, well, what has hap- vious he knew very little about Head But the international travel, 16 trips, pened in the past? What happens when Start and how it really works. I know are outside the scope of her require- there are disagreements? What happens a lot about Head Start, and I know why ments as Secretary of the Department when you get to the point where the it is important. of Energy. Government has run out of money and Let me just wrap up by saying that The GAO, the General Accounting Of- you have not resolved your differences? the leadership and what is going on on fice, looked at two specific trips. One Well, I want you to know, until this the Republican side of the aisle is abso- was to South Africa and one was to Congress, it has always been worked lutely unconscionable. They are dev- India. Now, this is reported in the out. astating lives. I think the people un- Washington Times today. The trip to Even under Ronald Reagan, when derstand what is going on. South Africa included 135 persons, 63 there were serious differences between f from the Department of Energy and 72 Republicans and Democrats, they had from the business and academic areas. to hammer it out. They had to work it BLAME GAME DOES NOT BALANCE It cost taxpayers about $1 million, out. Nobody took their tent and closed THE BUDGET $1,860,000, over $1 million. it up and ran home and said, I do not The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a The second trip to India had 37 people care what happens. I do not care previous order of the House, the gen- from the Government and 41 guests. It whether the services of Government tleman from Virginia [Mr. DAVIS] is cost $729,000. One of the interesting are carried out or not. I do not want to recognized for 5 minutes. things about this is that according to play anymore. Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, let me just Chairman BARTON from Texas, the De- Well, I want to tell you, I am utterly share a little bit different perspective. partment of Energy charged these non- stunned and surprised that we have First of all, I think to hear Members DOE visitors, these guests, $2,800 for this group of new Members leading from this side of the aisle get up and coach fare on this, but the actual cost some of the more seasoned Members blame the President for the shutdown to taxpayers was $12,860. with this kind of catastrophe. It is un- and Members on the other side get up So who is going to make up that heard of. What are the people thinking and blame the Republican Congress, we $10,000? Well, the taxpayers are making out there, aside from those who are not get an understanding of why things are it up, and I think it is kind of a sad getting paid, where the services are not not working around here. It seems like state of affairs. getting delivered? nobody says they want a train wreck, Second, we found out that Secretary You must understand that the people but the President would love to have it O’Leary has transferred $400,000 from a are paying taxes. Nobody has stopped down here at the Capitol steps. Some of nuclear weapons-related account over the people’s taxes while this madness is our Members would like to have it to her travel budget so she can make going on. But what are they paying down at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In these trips. for? Many of them are not getting the the meanwhile, nothing gets done. H 136 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Let us talk frankly about what it Mr. HEFNER. Will the gentleman tion that frankly ought to be worked would take to open up this Govern- yield? out. ment. Four things could happen. First Mr. DAVIS. Just for a second, be- Ms. ESHOO. Of course there are. of all, the President could sign the ap- cause I want to make a few points. They have to be negotiated. propriations bills that we sent him. He Mr. HEFNER. We are talking about Mr. DAVIS. Let me just make a cou- has signed a number of those bills. He past history, and you folks were elect- ple of final points. has vetoed three and sent them back. ed saying, ‘‘We’re going to change It also does not get us to a balanced The Interior appropriations bill we things around here.’’ But this is not budget which is something else that I tried to override today, our second op- changing things for the better. This is think needs to be done that we feel tion if he does not sign those bills that human misery. VA hospitals in North very strongly. would put people to work and put the Carolina. These people are in dire cir- The fourth thing that could happen is Government to work, which is his pre- cumstances. the President could put a balanced rogative under the Constitution, is Mr. DAVIS. Reclaiming my time, I budget on the table and we would get a that we can see if we have enough do not disagree with the gentleman. I continuing resolution like that. I think votes to muster a veto override. That think what has happened here is a na- that onus is on the President. Both takes two-thirds votes. tional disgrace. But to put it on one sides are at play here. I think we could We voted on the Interior appropria- side or one party is, I think, a big mis- all do a better job. tions today. I think it was a reasonable take. I think that is part of our prob- f bill. I did not like all parts of it. We lem, is we end up too much time point- PASSAGE OF CONTINUING had rejected that bill twice on environ- ing fingers at each other and too little RESOLUTION URGED mental grounds, tried to make it a lit- time working together and working The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tle better each time. The President ve- these issues out. toed it knowing, in the meantime, that METCALF). Under a previous order of Let me just get back to the Interior the House, the gentlewoman from Ha- this bill would have put 133,000 people appropriations bill again. This bill I waii [Mrs. MINK] is recognized for 5 to work; it would have opened up the think had a number of good items. I national parks, the Smithsonian; it minutes. think the President, part of him want- Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I would have put the U.S. Geological ed to sign this. I know the Vice Presi- do not think that there are really any Survey back to work. I have 1,000 dent urged him not to. We could still Members of this House of Representa- workers in Reston that are furloughed fix this bill. I think we have time to tives today that can feel very proud at this time, so that they could do come back and fix this bill in a reason- about having shut down the Govern- their work. able period of time and get these peo- ment and causing all the pain and suf- Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, will the ple back to work. gentleman yield? fering, the many thousands of workers Some of the other appropriation bills whose families were not able to have a Mr. DAVIS. I am happy to yield to that have been brought forward, I the gentleman from North Carolina. Christmas or a New Year’s celebration, think, need a little more fixing and we Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank and as they sit at home today, have no need some time. the gentleman for yielding. idea what the Congress is about to do I just want to make a point, a point The President could have signed with respect to their jobs. They want that has been missed here. I have been these bills, would have put people to to go back to work. For those individ- around here for a long time, and this work in fairness, Congress could have uals who are working and who have body has been here for a long time. It overridden the vetoes, the votes are been designated as essential workers, is the President’s prerogative to veto not here to do that, so next comes to they are not being paid because their bills. This should have been worked out the continuing resolution. agencies have not been funded and for your sake, and I know how special Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, will the their funds have already run out. The this is to you because of all of your gentleman yield? suffering among the workers is tremen- Mr. DAVIS. I would be happy to people that are here. A clean CR is not dous. I was home for a brief few days yield, but I want to make a few points, going to stop the negotiations on the during our Christmas recess and heard I only have 5 minutes, I say to my budget. from many workers. friend from California. The tragedy is that this is all abso- b 1545 Ms. ESHOO. I thank the gentleman lutely unnecessary. The majority party I just do not understand why we for yielding. The point that I want to wanted to make a point in November, make the balanced budget hold these raise, the gentleman understands the and the point was that they were deter- people hostage of something that is dilemma that we are in. mined that the 7-year balanced budget going to happen 7 years down the road. You just said that this is a national was their priority and they were going Mr. DAVIS. Reclaiming my time, let disgrace. Putting any fault or blame to hang on to it no matter what. Even me just say to my friend, we have had aside, can you work to find 20 votes in if it was necessary to close down the 57 continuing resolutions since 1980 be- your caucus to open up the Govern- Government, they were determined to tween the House and Senate. Most of ment, Republican votes? force the President to negotiate. those were with a Democratic Congress We have 198 on our side and I think Those negotiations have taken place. and a Republican President. that you, being as reasonable and mod- They have not yet yielded the results How many of those CR’s were clean erate as you are, that there would be 19 that the majority party wants, but in CR’s? Many of them were not. The Bo- others? point of fact these meetings have oc- land amendment which forbade aid to Mr. DAVIS. Let me say to my friend curred. There is absolutely no reason the Contras was put on a continuing that may be able to happen in time. We to tie together the annual appropria- resolution. We even put roads and the will have a discharge petition. But 30 tions, which the Constitution says is New Jersey Turnpike into the Federal days have to run. The problem with the absolute requirement of this Con- Highway System on a continuing reso- this recess is that you do not get the gress to do, to tie it together to a 7- lution. There is a loss of surplusage legislative days run during that time. year plan. The 7-year plan is an en- and riders in these. I am not defending, Eventually this will happen, I think, if tirely different, separate concept which and I would like to see a clean CR. I we could get it to the floor, it or some- the Republicans are saying is impor- was one of two Members on this side of thing close to it would pass. tant because we have to have a plan in the aisle who voted with you yesterday Ms. ESHOO. But 20 votes would stop order to enable us to know what to do to bring up a clean CR. I am going to that recess, and we could open up the in the next fiscal year and the fiscal get to that in a minute. Government, and we could move on. year after that and so forth until the But no one can sit here and say, Mr. DAVIS. Well, that would do it, year 2002. ‘‘Gee, let’s do a clean CR’’ when you all but it does not solve some of the other But the reason that portions of the were on the other side and we had a Re- problems. A continuing resolution is Government are shut down now is not publican President you very often did not a resolution. There are still a lot of because of the failure to have an agree- not send a clean CR at the same time. issues at play in the continuing resolu- ment on the 7-year balanced budget. It January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 137 is because of the failure of the majority Washington, DC. That is, we have got ment is closed down, but more impor- party to act in accordance with law in to bring fiscal sanity back to this city. tantly because this Government con- reporting out the appropriation bills Right now this government is adding tinues to spend without control. for all of the Government operations. to the debt at a rate of $30 million an Finally, let me say this. I have heard As a matter of fact, on October 1, hour. Thirty million an hour goes out a lot of speakers on the other side of which is the statutory deadline for the more than comes in. The answer is not the aisle criticizing our attempt for a appropriation bills to be done, the ma- in additional taxes. balanced budget. I hope some of the jority had not accomplished even a sin- I just heard the previous speaker say Members speak as strongly about Hazel gle one except for the Congress. So we are holding the children of this O’Leary’s disappearance of several hun- then immediately they passed a con- country hostage, or innocent people dred thousand dollars. They have an tinuing resolution, a clean resolution hostage. Hostage? We are holding this opportunity to come to some of these in which they permitted the Govern- entire country hostage and the next committee hearings and ask Hazel ment to go about its business and to generation hostage to a deficit that has O’Leary: take care of all of the programs in ef- got to become controlled. There is not How come you spent $500,000 to char- fect, and that had a cutoff date of No- a family in America that runs their ter a private jet to go overseas? How vember 14. budget like this budget has been run come you have an advance team of 31 At midnight, then, the Government for 40 years. people? How come you have a film crew was shut down because there was no Sure, we have had 20 days of discom- follow you all around the world? further agreement to continue the fort up here. But this country has had There is a lot of waste in this budget. functions of those agencies that had 40 years of discomfort. You cannot con- Use your time today that you are de- not yet had appropriation bills, which tinue to use this congressional voting voting to attacking the Republican were 13. Thirteen of the appropriation card, which is the most unused credit Party, take that time and take a look bills had not cleared even by midnight card in the history of this country, you at the waste that we have got in our of November 13. cannot continue to accumulate deficit budget. We can work on this as a team. So we had a short shutdown of 5 or 6 after deficit after deficit. I am optimistic we can get an agree- days during that period, when again There are going to be some adjust- ment. But let me say, the most crucial there was a continuing resolution, this ments. There are changes that need to thing we can do in this generation is to time with a club over the President’s be made. Anytime we take business as hand the next generation a balanced head, saying, ‘‘We are only going to usual in Washington, DC. and change it budget. I urge each and every one of agree to this continuing resolution and make it more sane and make it you to join us as a team and give until December 15, and we want you to more common sense, it is going to America the biggest present they could agree that you will come and support cause a disruption. Do not let that dis- have, and that is a balanced budget for the concept of a balanced budget in the ruption divert attention away from a the next generation. year 2002,’’ which he has done. There balanced budget. Our country needs f are negotiations going on. one. This business of using terrorist tac- I think it is fair to address some of IN MEMORY OF ANNE NOEL FAZIO tics and holding innocent people hos- the hardships that some Federal em- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tage, because someone decided that ployees are facing as a result of their previous order of the House, the gen- their ideas about the future of this pay being delayed. They are all going tleman from California [Mr. FARR] is country are so important and so para- to be paid. Let there be no question recognized for 5 minutes. mount that the suffering of the people about that. They will be paid. The Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, across the country is irrelevant, to me question is the delay. And are there I rise on a more somber note than the that is an unconscionable way to per- hardships? Certainly there are going to debate that has been going on here form your public responsibilities as be some hardships. today. I rise under special orders on given to us under the Constitution. Let me tell the Members what we did this day, January 4, which would have It is so simple for us to consider a in Colorado. On New Year’s Day, a been the birthday of my younger sister continuing resolution. It has been done local banker by the name of Bob Nancy, had it not been for the tragic in the Senate. Their own Senate leader Young, Robert Young with Alpine death of Nancy when she was killed has put together a continuing resolu- Banks called me at my home, and we visiting me when I was a Peace Corps tion. Why not just pass that continuing talked and fine-tuned a program. His volunteer. But I rise not so much to re- resolution, let our workers for these re- bank, the day after New Year’s Day, member her. I did that when I was maining nine Departments go back to announced that all Federal employees sworn into office in this Chamber just work and service the communities that could go to the Alpine banking system a few years ago. But I rise to talk are so desperately in need? in Colorado and draw interest-free an about death, because it has come to My community depends upon the amount equal to the net amount of one of our colleague’s family. tourist business, we depend upon the their last paycheck, so they will not b 1600 parks, we depend upon many other fa- miss any payments. Alpine Banks is cilities that are operated by the Fed- committed to do this during this period Today I ask this country to share my eral Government. It is tragic that of shutdown. Since then we have got- empathy with our truly distinguished these entities that are really public ten banks in Pueblo, CO, the Minnequa colleague, VIC FAZIO. He lost his services are closed down and innocent Bank, and a bank in Durango, CO, the youngest daughter, Anne Noel. people, not connected to anyone here, Burns Bank, and we have been in con- Everyone knows how hard VIC works not connected to the Federal Govern- tact with many other banks to also in this institution. He is one of the ment, are being caused all this harm join this program. hardest working Members that we have and suffering. It is time to allow the We want to work with those people. and certainly one of the most devoted Government to go back to work. We want to help them with these hard- Members to the institution of the f ships. But the minute we put this Gov- House of Representatives. VIC is to- ernment back to business as usual, we tally dedicated. But most important, BALANCED BUDGET WILL RETURN take the pressure off the Speaker of or more important than his leadership, FISCAL SANITY TO WASHINGTON the House, we take the pressure off the is his family. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a President of the Senate and we take Today, in Sacramento, as we sit here previous order of the House, the gen- the pressure off the President of the in Washington, a memorial service is tleman from Colorado [Mr. MCINNIS] is United States to negotiate an agree- being conducted for his and Joey’s recognized for 5 minutes. ment. daughter. She was a star. She fought Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I think it The only reason these people are ne- off leukemia with a successful bone is particularly important not to lose gotiating right now is because of the marrow transplant. She graduated track of the overall focus of what we pressure that society is putting on from McClatchey High School. She have got to do with the Government in them, partially because the Govern- earned a degree from the University of H 138 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 California at Davis, where she was this body to the gentleman from Cali- his family the very best, and they get president of her sorority. fornia [Mr. FAZIO] and his family for all of our deepest sympathy. To Anne Noel’s parents, VIC and his tremendous loss. TRIBUTE TO RUSSELL W. BROWN Joey, there is nothing more painful I also wanted to say that our col- Mr. Speaker, it is interesting, the than that of the pain of losing a child. league, the gentlewoman from Califor- reason I am taking this 5-minute spe- But I know from my own sister’s death nia [Ms. ESHOO], expressed so well the cial order is because in 1964, I met a fel- that you need time to grieve, and in sentiments that we all share. She was low who was to become one of my dear- your grief this country shares what the head of the prayer patrol for Anne est friends, and he died day before yes- you have so effectively done in leading in the Congress, and we were all alert- terday of cancer, and he became like a this Nation ahead, and that is that this ed a couple of months ago that more brother to me. country shares your sorrow. prayers were needed, and we did not re- I remember in 1970, when I first de- We send this sorrow to you as Rep- alize, though, how drastically. cided to run for Congress, I talked him resentatives of this Nation’s Govern- I would like to say, as I say my col- into getting involved in politics. He ment, who knows that VIC not only has leagues have said it so eloquently, but said, ‘‘Oh my gosh,’’ he says, ‘‘I led this Congress but he has been a I just want to say a couple of things wouldn’t want to do that. It takes too great father who is now suffering from about Anne. She was only 2 years old much time. There is so much the most difficult pain of all, the pain when VIC was elected to the Congress, crookedness and corruption,’’ you of the loss of a child. and she worked as a volunteer in her know what people say. I talked him VIC, we pray for you. But most of all, father’s office and became very ac- into it. His name was Russell W. we send our love. quainted with politics. She had an in- Brown, incidentally. He became one of I yield to my colleague, the gentle- terest in public service and she was a the political leaders in Indianapolis, woman from California [Ms. ESHOO]. page in the summer of 1988. IN, and the State of Indiana for 30 Ms. ESHOO. I would like to thank VIC and Anne’s mother described her years. my colleague, the gentleman from best when VIC said, ‘‘Anne had an in- I do not know what our party or the California [Mr. FARR], for organizing domitable spirit and a tremendous political process would have done had this small but very important tribute amount of will,’’ a tearful VIC FAZIO we not had such a person in a leader- to Anne Fazio. said on Monday. Her mother said she ship position in Indianapolis. He was As my colleague has just stated, was a wonderful daughter and a won- an inspiration to everybody. He spent a Anne was a star. All of her doctors, derful friend. tremendous amount of time, as both anyone that knew her, her friends, her We all shared VIC’s concern over the sides of the aisle know, working for extended family of friends knew what a years when Anne was fighting leuke- various candidates, making sure that fighter she was. She fought leukemia, mia, and she proved herself a trouper, a their views were expressed and they and she was a real champion. There fighter, and as my two colleagues have got elected. were many times where she felt, as VIC said, a star. Those people are the unsung heroes. said, her father, that she had been Any words of consolation to someone We get elected and we get on television dealt a bad deck of cards, and her fa- who has lost a child are, of course, in- and people around the country find out ther, being the fighter that he is, re- adequate and, in fact, impossible. But I who we are. They may not agree with us, but at least we get some notoriety. minded her time and time again to hope it is a consolation to VIC and to look at what she had done with what Joey, Carolyn Mason, Anne’s mother, I But people like Russ Brown, who spent was dealt to her. hope it is a consolation to them we all 15, 20, 30, 40 hours a week working on She excelled at everything that she learned a great deal from Anne in her our behalf and on behalf of the coun- try, the Nation, never getting much did, and we know most of all, as par- courage and her strength. She was an recognition. But they certainly deserve ents, the most difficult thing, the most inspiration to many people in the Con- it. Without them, the foot soldiers, the unbearable thing, the most unthink- gress of the United States and all who people who are the political leaders able is for a parent to have to bury knew her, and I hope they are consoled back home, without them we would not their own child. by the fact that her life was appre- be elected and the country would not So today in this Chamber, we gather ciated, that she left this Earth as a be able to get its job done, and the Con- as the friends and colleagues of the teacher, as an inspiration, and that she gress would not be able to get its job gentleman from California [Mr. FAZIO]. is remembered in the prayers of all It makes no difference whether one is a done. Members of the Congress of the United I would just like to say today, and I Republican or a Democrat. We reach States. guess I am kind of rambling, Mr. out, and we say, as parents and as Again, I thank our colleague, the Speaker, I normally do not do that, I friends, we grieve with you. You have gentleman from California [Mr. FARR], guess, I am certainly going to miss our prayers. We know that the angels and the gentlewoman from California Russ. He was a wonderful man. He was have welcomed Anne to heaven, but it [Ms. ESHOO] for their words of inspira- a great humanitarian, a great father, a is up to us to do God’s work and to con- tion and again extend our deepest, great husband, and he was one of my tinue on and to take care of one an- deepest sympathy to VIC FAZIO and his dearest friends, and throughout the re- other as friends and extend ourselves in family. mainder of my life, I will miss his smil- sympathy. f ing face, and his words of encourage- I would like to just close on this EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO ment, and all the wonderful things he note: I cannot help but think of the did for me and for this country. writings of Milton at this time, and he THE FAZIO FAMILY f wrote that, ‘‘And so she passed on, and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. all the trumpets sounded on the other METCALF). Under a previous order of PEOPLE ARE BEING BADLY HURT side.’’ the House, the gentleman from Indiana BY THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN God rest her gentle young soul, and [Mr. BURTON] is recognized for 5 min- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a we send you our best, VIC, and when utes. previous order of the House, the gentle- you get back here we will surround you Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- woman from Florida [Mrs. THURMAN] is with our friendship, with our love and er, first of all, let me extend to our recognized for 5 minutes. our prayers. good friend, the gentleman from Cali- Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, real Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I yield to fornia [Mr. FAZIO], and his family from people are being hurt and hurt badly by the gentlewoman from California [Ms. the Republican side of the aisle our this Government shutdown. PELOSI]. sincerest condolences on the death of I want to tell you about a lady who Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank his daughter, Anne. called this morning extremely upset our colleague, the gentleman from I cannot imagine what it would be and concerned about what was going to California [Mr. FARR], for taking this like to lose a daughter or a son, but I happen to her family. Her name is Rita time for us to express the condolences certainly do not want to experience Arrington. She is a nurse at the Veter- and the sympathy of all Members of that. So we wish VIC the very best and ans’ Administration Hospital in Lake January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 139 City, FL. She is the only breadwinner If this is not bad enough, she has a Let me give you just a short sam- in her family because her husband is young son who is disabled, who is also pling of what I am going to talk about disabled. She had a child to feed and being affected. Now, because of the tomorrow. We talked about the land clothe. She has bills to pay just like shutdown and lack of assistance she mines on this floor for about a month, you and me. was receiving her son will lose the at- but particularly with some intensity But for the last 20 days she has tention he was receiving from a quali- the week before Christmas. John Mar- worked without pay because she is an fied professional at home. tin Begosh, kind of an unusual, I think essential Federal employee, and, get To those who do not believe there is it is an Irish name, not exactly what this, because of title 38, she is barred a disastrous ripple effect from the you would say when you would step on from working in a nursing home or shutdown, let me assure you that there a land mine, but Begosh, young John some other facility in her off hours so is. The qualified caregiver that was Martin, named after his dad’s kid that she could receive some compensa- helping this young woman’s son is also brother, who was killed in Vietnam, tion. a mother herself. She is not getting suffered a life changing injury. I have gotten many, many calls from paid either. This mother also has to The military tried to put their best Federal employees in my district. feed her family. reports on this, but by the third day Many work in the area of VA medical When is this going to end? I am now when I was over there, they finally ad- centers. They are working without pay, asking, please, from this leadership, let mitted severe bone loss, part of his foot without any sort of financial security. us present a clean CR. Let us not go a gone, and his surgeon said he will be Like all of us, they do have those bills single more day advancing financial disabled for the rest of his life, and in to pay, children to feed and mortgages and emotional hardship on our work the coming days we will know how to pay, and we sit here continuing with force. Let us face it, many have lost badly disabled. our partisan bickering for the 20th day faith in Congress over the past 20 days. Now, we all pray that he is the excep- in a row. It is time, and moreover it is our re- tion. As I said on the House floor a cou- This is not what we were sent here to sponsibility to set aside our differences ple of weeks ago, I expect very few cas- do. Our job is to ensure the responsible just for 15 minutes. That is the time it ualties. I did not join my colleagues on functioning of Government, and I can- would take to vote for a clean CR and both sides of the aisle predicting a not think of anything more irrespon- agree to put our Federal workers back nightmare. I know the efficiency of our sible than to let these workers con- to work. military and how all three sides over tinue to work without pay for 1 more f there, Bosnian Serbs, Bosnian Mos- day. SUMMARY OF 4-DAY TRIP IN lems, and Bosnian Croats, are going to Mr. Speaker, veterans in my district GERMANY respect the power of our military. depend on these health care workers, We have something called a target The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and they in turn depend on us. They acquisition radar, that when one of previous order of the House, the gen- elected us to represent them. those evil mortars or artillery pieces tleman from California [Mr. DORNAN] is Who really believes we are doing that have been killing civilians fires at recognized for 5 minutes. what we were sent here to do? A great Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, I have us, if and when they dare to, we will nation does not act this way. We can not yet asked permission to reduce my know the precise location of the artil- place blame on the extremists and the 1-hour special order later tonight to 5 lery piece or the mortar before the liberals, but I am sick of it, and my minutes, so I will do that at this mo- round has barely reached what they are constituents are sick of it. ment and take that 1-hour special shooting at, and there will be un- We may have our philosophical dif- order tomorrow night. leashed upon them such accurate 155 ferences up here. But there is no reason Mr. Speaker, I have just returned millimeter artillery fire, we will not why our Nation’s Federal workers and yesterday afternoon in time to make need air support, they will all be dead, Americans who depend on this Govern- the attempted overriding of Mr. Clin- and it will be a warning to the others ment should be used as political pawns. ton’s pathetic vetoing of a great de- you do not fool with the U.S. military. We can continue to debate our political fense authorization bill yesterday. I That does not mean that the cold and differences, but how dare we threaten came back from 4 days in Germany. If land mines are not beyond every de- the livelihood of those health care it were not for these votes yesterday, scription, including my own, in this workers who care for men and women today and tomorrow, I would have House over the last 2 months. At the who, through their life service, provide pressed on to Tuzla to keep my promise railheads in Hungary, we have men and us with the very security and freedom that I had hoped to be with the troops women who have been sleeping in rail- we now enjoy? Christmas, and when voting prevented road cars in filth and rats in the ware- Today, the fourth continuing resolu- that, I said I would be with them at houses at these spots, and in cold that tion ended, and there is currently no least at their departure points over is rivaling the severest winter since legislation providing funding for the New Year’s, and I was. I would like to what the gentleman from Florida [Mr. VA. We must return Government to give a full hour report on that, but I GIBBONS] saw with the 101st Airborne work and the people it serves. will do a 5-minute summary tonight. in the winter of 1944–45. Things have gotten so bad that Bread First of all, on all the acrimony here It is particularly tough on the of the Mighty Food Bank in Gainesville in the Congress, and as someone who is women. For those of us in this Cham- is now offering food assistance to fur- expecting any day the glory of a 10th ber and the other body that said that loughed employees of the veterans’ grandchild, I understand the pain of in- women could take any kind of combat, medical center in Gainesville so they security of all the Federal workers who I brought home for tomorrow night do not go hungry. would rather productively be on the job comments from women from Stars and It is a shame, and it is a shame than wondering, even though I suspect Stripes that say it is OK for the men to brought on by this House. they know in the end they will get go relieve themselves in the field, but Then there is the young mother from their pay, but wondering if something where are the toilet facilities for we High Springs. She was receiving dis- can go wrong and they would not be women? It is a little bit different for ability but is now attending the Uni- fully recompensed for this unwanted us. versity of Florida under vocational re- furlough or vacation. Down at Tuzla, these freezing nights habilitation funding. Because of the But, Mr. Speaker, there is suffering and these tent facilities and sleeping in shutdown of the Government, she is taking place by American citizens, and around the vehicles was beyond unable to pay her tuition. This was to some very young ones, that goes far be- their worst expectations. But can they be her final semester. She was looking yond the angst and the uncertainty and cut it? You bet. forward to entering the work force and the suffering of our Federal workers I had never in all of my adult life, 6 becoming a productive citizen. Now she here, and that is those on the Federal years active duty, 22 in the reserves, will have to attend an extra semester, payroll in the United States military and 18 years, 19 years now, going out to delaying her ability to get a job and in Germany and Hungary and in see our troops as a U.S. Congressman, I provide for her family. Bosnia. had never seen more dedicated, gung H 140 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 ho, professional enlisted men and political party, we continue to cave NAFTA; working with Members of the women and NCO’s and an officer corps under the same techniques of managing other side on issues like family and ready to do the job. the business of the House of Represent- medical leave; issues involving reform However, do they feel some hurt that atives. of Davis-Bacon that is acceptable to the Commander in Chief is using them I would say to my brethren on the the labor unions and the working peo- politically? That we do not see on the other side of the aisle, I certainly ple of this country; and working on en- television news or in the newspaper re- shared with you the dismay and frus- vironmental issues and environmental ports. You bet they do. To a man they tration when good proposals were held legislation, opposing the riders that feel they are being used, and I will talk up. Certainly you must understand were attempted to be inserted in the about that tomorrow. that the same is happening today, and bill. So I am not someone who rises as f that altogether too often the rules of someone who has always been against the House are being used to keep im- the President. To the contrary, I have WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE IN portant initiatives from consideration been supportive of some of the issues WASHINGTON by the Members of the U.S. House of that this administration has supported. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Representatives. This is certainly hap- But, Mr. Speaker, that is not what previous order of the House, the gen- pening at this time as I speak. this debate is about. This debate really tleman from Minnesota [Mr. MINGE] is This leadership is preventing what I is about this President finally being recognized for 5 minutes. would consider to be the majority of called to task to live up to commit- Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, when I go the Members of this body from consid- ments that he has made publicly. He home, especially over the last Christ- ering a continuing resolution to put has gotten away with saying one thing mas break, people ask me, well, how do Federal employees back to work. Simi- and doing something else on numerous you like being in Congress? Is it an larly, I expect that the discipline of occasions that I cannot cite here honor? Is it fun? Are you going to re- each political party in this institution today. But in this instance, Members ceptions? What is it like to be in Wash- is preventing the majority of the Mem- on our side, even those of us who have ington? bers of the House of Representatives worked with the President on key is- Often I respond by telling them a from honestly considering a 7-year def- sues, are saying ‘‘We want to see this story about my Uncle Oly and Aunt icit reduction plan that actually would President simply come forward and do Lena. I, like many in Minnesota, am of work to balance the budget and would what he said he would do, and that is Norwegian ancestry. And Oly and Lena have broad support throughout our Na- to provide for us a detailed seven-year one morning were in the house and Oly tion. It is tragic when the majority so plan to balance the budget.’’ got up, excused himself, went out to manipulates the rules. I do not care if Now, why has he not done that? It is the outhouse, and did his business. As the majority is Republican or the ma- because he is reading the political tea he pulled up his bib overalls, a couple jority is Democrat, the tragedy is the leaves and polls. He knows if he comes quarters dropped out and went down same. out with a 7-year plan in detail, he is the hole. Oly was disgusted. He took off I think it is important that all of us either going to offend senior citizens or his watch and he threw that down, and work together on a bipartisan basis to offend those business groups where he he took out his wallet and threw that try to make this institution as effec- told them he would support a capital down as well. tive as possible. Forget about the next gains tax cut, or he is going to offend He went back in the house and Lena election. Forget about who gets credit. those veterans who he has told he will said well, ‘‘Oly, what is wrong with Instead, focus on how do we balance not have any changes in the way we you? You are in such a foul mood and the budget, what is right for America, fund veterans programs, or he is going you don’t smell so good either. What what do the American people expect of to offend those defense workers by hav- you been doing?’’ And finally it came us? ing to say we need additional cuts in out. Oly explained to her that he had I think that if we focus on these con- defense, even though he was out in lost the quarters and thrown his watch siderations, the frustration that I and California last week and even made the and wallet, and she said, ‘‘Oly, why did many others have felt can be overcome. case, and I cannot believe this, as the you do that? Why can you go down But unless we do that, we, like Oly, are Republican who opposed the B–2 bomb- there?’’ He said, ‘‘Well, you didn’t simply going to go back home with a er, this. He even went so far as to say think I was going to go down after just foul odor, that will be immediately no- ‘‘Yes, we may need more than 20 B–2 50 cents, did you?’’ ticed by our friends and family and bombers.’’ Talk about ultimate irony, Well, there may be some humor in residents of our district. We certainly what Uncle Oly did, but there is little for this President to make that state- can handle our responsibilities in a bet- ment. humor in what we are about here in ter fashion. You see, if this President comes out Washington. We have all been regaled f with stories about the shutdown, its with a detailed 7-year plan that lays impact on innocent Federal employees, REASONS FOR LACK OF PROGRESS out specifics like we have, he is going about individuals that need passports ON BUDGET to take some heat, and this President to attend funerals, its impact on serv- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a does not like to take heat. icemen, national parks, veterans who previous order of the House, the gen- Mr. Speaker, the time for this rhet- are seeking guarantees for loans, busi- tleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. oric and demagoguery has ended. As I nesses that are seeking guarantees WELDON] is recognized for 5 minutes. said earlier today, the Philadelphia from the Small Business Administra- Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Enquirer, no bastion of conservative tion, and a vast array of others in Speaker, I rise to take this 5-minute politics in this country, said it best America. special order to discuss the budget and today in one of their lead editorials. It is truly a tragic situation. And the my concerns with the lack of progress The headline is, ‘‘Your turn, Bill. Clin- best I can say to folks at home is it is and really the lack of response from ton must offer the serious budget he a highly frustrating experience to serve the administration. promised.’’ in Congress these days. I have been We have heard continuously from I will insert this editorial in the here exactly 3 years, and I have had to some of those Members on the minor- RECORD, Mr. Speaker, but let me read say it has been frustrating each of ity side that this really has been the final paragraph of the editorial. these 3 years. caused by a group of so-called radical Congress should pass stopgap funding as In the first 2 years, many of us freshmen Republican Members. Well, I soon as the President provides the missing chafed under rules that prohibited rise as a five-term Republican who over ingredient of serious bargaining: A credible what we perceived to be a majority in the 10 years I have been in Congress White House plan to balance the budget in Congress from considering legislation have supported and worked with my seven years. that we felt was important for the colleagues on the other side on labor Even the Philadelphia Enquirer has American people. Now, under the lead- issues, even opposing NAFTA when my now read through the demagoguery of ership of a new Speaker and a different party and this President supported this President. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 141 Now, Mr. Speaker, we hear opponents single business in this country that to an older gentleman, a senior citizen on the other side say ‘‘You are offend- would do that. on Meals on Wheels, and that gen- ing the American people. They do not I was on a talk radio show last week tleman said, the senior citizen purport- buy what you are doing. It is wrong.’’ in my district, and I did have a caller edly said that he was willing to give up That may be the case. But let me just who called in and said, ‘‘Well, I love a meal in order to get a balanced budg- remind them of one plain and simple what Speaker GINGRICH is doing and I et. fact: Since Bill Clinton took office 3 support what he is doing.’’ I said, Mr. Speaker, I am not going to ask years ago, there have now been as of ‘‘Well, let me ask you this, then. Would any citizen in this country to give up a today 182 publicly elected officials you, if you were using your own meal so that we can pass a bill that has switch parties in this country; 182, Mr. money, send your employees home, tell tax cuts that disproportionately bene- Speaker. All 182 who switched parties, them to stay at home and that you fit the wealthiest people in this coun- from Maine to Washington State, to were going to pay them?’’ And he try. It is wrong and we should not be the southern States, were Democrats hemmed and hawed a little and said, doing it. who switched to the Republican Party. ‘‘No, I would not.’’ I said, ‘‘Well, I find Mr. Speaker, again, the Members on All 182 publicly elected officials, in- it interesting that we now have the the other side talk about sacrifice, and cluding 7 Members of the U.S. Con- leadership in Congress who has come it is necessary for these employees to gress, have now distanced themselves here and said we are going to run Con- sacrifice. Again, I was in my district from this President. gress like a business when there is not talking to employees and they asked the obvious question. ‘‘What about b 1630 a single business in this country that would run itself the way Congress is you, Mr. Congressman? Why are you So my colleagues on the other side running itself right now.’’ It does not not sacrificing?’’ And to be honest, my may be right. Maybe the President has make any sense at all. initial response to them was, I have got it all right and in the end this game of Now, what should we be doing today? a wife and I have got two children to smoke and mirrors and images and per- We are in special orders now, and the support. And they jeered. They said so ceptions will win. I think not. I think reason we are in special orders is be- do we. the American people are smarter than cause the Speaker and the majority I had to go home and think about that, and these 182 elected officials who will not let us even vote on a measure that. I had to go home and think about have switched parties and joined the to get these people back to work. The it, even though I voted every time to Republican Party agree with us that Senate has passed it unanimously. The get these people back to work. I had to this President must finally do what he majority leader in the Senate was think about the fact that they are in said that he wants to do, and that is quoted as saying, ‘‘Enough is enough.’’ the same situation as I am. I have a 1- give us a detailed plan. If he does that, And enough is enough. These are peo- and 3-year-old at home and a wife at I will join with the Philadelphia ple who want to work, who should be home. I do not want to give up my pay. Enquirer tomorrow, or tonight, and I working, and who should be getting But, Mr. Speaker, I decided today will vote for a CR to get the Federal paid. that I should do what many of my col- employees back to work, but I want to Now, I hear Members from the other leagues have done and that is to say see the President’s detailed plan. side come down into the well and talk that I will put myself in the same posi- Where is it and when will we see it? about sacrifice and that there is a tion as the other Federal employees. If Now is the time, Mr. President. Pro- greater mission here and a greater we are asking them to sacrifice, well, vide us your detailed plan for balancing good. Those are not people who talk to then we should sacrifice, too. And I ask the Federal budget. the people I talk to in my district, be- my colleagues to do the same thing, f cause I fielded as many calls as I could and that will end this misery. PRIVATE BUSINESSES WOULD NOT from employees. f I talked to a woman who works for SHUT DOWN THE WAY GOVERN- IMPASSE ON FEDERAL BUDGET MENT HAS SHUT DOWN the FBI in Milwaukee who commutes 100 miles a day, who has two foster AND GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a children, who is living from paycheck ARE SEPARATE ISSUES previous order of the House, the gen- to paycheck. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tleman from Wisconsin [Mr. BARRETT] I talked to a woman who works in previous order of the House, the gen- is recognized for 5 minutes. the U.S. attorney’s office, who is being tleman from New York [Mr. NADLER] is Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. forced to work and is not being paid. recognized for 5 minutes. Speaker, last year there was a popular There are people in our neighborhood, Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, we face film in our country called ‘‘Dumb and the husband works for the VA hospital, today two separate controversies, two Dumber.’’ I often wondered why they two small children, his wife is at home. separate controversies that have been did not call it ‘‘Dumb and Dumbest.’’ He is required to work and is not being combined and confused, deliberately Ah, because that would convey the paid. and improperly combined and confused. message a little bit better. But now I This morning I talked to a guard at The first controversy is the impasse understand the reason, unfortunately, the Oxford Federal Prison in Wiscon- on the Federal budget. This impasse in- is the dumbest idea has been reserved sin. Three hundred employees are being volves real and serious issues. The Re- for action taken by this Congress. required to work but are not being publicans want to balance the budget I have been in public life 12 years, paid. I said, ‘‘Well, what type of people and they want to make huge cuts in and I am sad to say that this furlough do you have at the Oxford Prison?’’ He Medicare and in Medicaid in order to is the dumbest thing I have seen gov- said, ‘‘We have a lot of drug offenders. pay for a very large tax cut benefiting ernment do in my 12 years in business. Most of the people here have violent mostly the wealthiest Americans. I have come down to this well several pasts.’’ We are asking Federal guards Democrats, for the most part, want to times to talk about the furlough, to guard people who have been con- balance the budget, but they want to which is, in effect, paying people either victed of murder and selling drugs, and do it while protecting Medicare and to stay home or telling them that they we are asking them to work without Medicaid, college loans, education, and have to work and they are not going to pay. the environment. get paid. Mr. Speaker, that is unconscionable. These are serious differences and se- I have basically issued a challenge, a That should not happen in the United rious issues, and their outcome will de- little contest, if you will, because I am States. That should not happen in Eng- termine the fundamental direction the still looking for one business, one busi- land. That should not happen in any country will take over the next few ness in this entire country that twice country in this world. years, and these controversies deserve in the same year would get so mad at Again, we hear the speakers on the real and perhaps lengthy and extended itself that it would tell its workers go other side talk about sacrifice. The debate. But this controversy should home, stay at home, and I am going to gentleman from Florida earlier talked not lead to a shutdown of the Federal pay you. I have not got a call from a about how moved he was that he talked Government. H 142 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 This is the second separate issue, the This year, the Republicans say, no, negotiations. There is no room for ne- unnecessary, deliberate, unconscion- we cannot pass a continuing resolution gotiations on the taxes, there is no able shutdown of the Federal Govern- because we do not trust the President. room for negotiations on the cuts in ment with all the suffering and pain He does not keep his word. Obviously, I Medicare and Medicaid. that that implies and that brings forth do not believe this to be true, but even Throughout history, Mr.. Speaker, for Government employees, for private if it were true, it is not material to presidents have had the option to veto contractors, for private citizens in all this. The Republicans say they must legislation, and then we try to work walks of life that have been talked keep the Federal Government shut out the differences, but we do not shut about on this floor today. down until the President keeps his down the Government and inconven- Mr. Speaker, we have had over the word and produces a 7-year balanced ience millions of people. years many budget disagreements be- budget according to CBO figures. And if There is one facility that is very, tween the Congress and the President. he will not do that, they will not open very special to me. There is a VA Hos- Many times appropriations bills were the Government. They will make us all pital in my district, in Salisbury, NC, not completed and signed into law on suffer. They will make the American and when I went there over 40 years time. This year, because of the unnec- people suffer. ago, one of the first places we went—I essary delay because we wasted the But the Federal Government is not a was in an entertainment group, and we first 100 days of the year on the Repub- plaything or a possession of the Presi- went to this hospital and we enter- licans’ contract on America, and we did dent. The Federal Government does not tained the veterans. not start working on the appropria- belong to him. It belongs to the Amer- b 1745 tions bills until April instead of in Jan- ican people. Opening the Government uary, the situation was worse than is not a reward to the President for And to this day, I go on a regular usual. But these disagreements, failure good conduct and closing it is not a basis to entertain the veterans and to to pass the appropriations bills on punishment of the President for unac- meet with them and to listen to their time, do not normally lead to an ex- ceptable conduct. Closing the Govern- problems. tended shutdown of the Federal Gov- ment, holding the people who need I want to tell my colleagues that our ernment. veterans’ hospitals are in dire cir- We are told by the Republicans that Government services, whether that be welfare checks or SSI or Medicare or cumstances today, and I talked with a the President is responsible for the number of them today. Not only is shutdown because he vetoed appropria- passports, holding it closed is holding the American people hostage. It is not their help getting frustrated; they are tions bills. Presidents Reagan and Bush not being paid, and in one instance, a vetoed appropriations bills. That did a legitimate negotiating tactic no mat- ter what one thinks of the President’s man who is used to getting $500 to $600 not cause extended shutdowns of the a week, he received $141, and this is a Federal Government. The normal negotiating tactics. It is an abuse of power. man with a family. But it is beginning method of avoiding a shutdown of the to trickle down to the care of these Federal Government is to pass a con- Let us keep the two issues separate. Let us vote on a continuing resolution veterans in these hospitals. tinuing resolution saying that every Mr. Speaker, that is our brothers, our department of Government will con- to reopen the Federal Government, and then let us work out the differences on uncles, our parents. These are veterans tinue operating on the same rate of that served in Korea and Vietnam and funding as it did last year, or perhaps a permanent budget. f some as old as World War II, and at 90 or 85 percent or whatever is through no fault of their own, they are agreed upon indefinitely while the ne- REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEIR being penalized by losing the services gotiations on next year’s budget pro- BUDGET TO BE PERFECT; WITH- that our Federal employees provide to ceed. OUT ROOM FOR NEGOTIATIONS these veterans. That is normally done. But the Re- Mr., Speaker, it is just plain wrong publicans will not pass a continuing The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a for us to hold these Government em- resolution, the normal method of keep- previous order of the House, the gen- ployees hostage to debates that are ing the Government in operation while tleman from North Carolina [Mr. HEF- going on at the White House down on the controversy over the new budget is NER] is recognized for 5 minutes. Pennsylvania Avenue. There is abso- determined. They will not pass it. Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, this has The only reason for the Government been a very interesting time for me, in lutely no reason why we cannot put shutdown is that the Republicans, led the time I have been here, for all these these people back to work. And, of by Speaker NEWT GINGRICH, decided years. First of all, if we buy the rhet- course, one of the Presidential can- months ago that they would use the oric from our friends in the Republican didates says: No big deal. Who misses threat or the reality of a Government party, we have to assume that there these Federal employees? shutdown to attempt to blackmail the should not be any negotiations on the Mr. Speaker, I can tell you who President into going along with budg- budget; that the President should just misses them. Those senior citizens that etary solutions that he does not ap- sign the budget that they sent to him; want to file for their Social Security, prove. This is wrong. that it is a perfect document, he can- they have become 62 or 65 and they Our Democratic system provides the not improve on it, it has all the cures want to file for their Social Security. proper means to work out policy and for the ills that affect this country. They cannot do it. We have the people budget disagreements. The majority in The President has real concerns, and that work in the hospitals that are Congress in both Houses passes a budg- so do the majority of the American looking after these veterans, and some et. The President signs it or he vetoes people have concerns about the budget of them completely incapacitated, and it, the various appropriations bills. that the Republicans sent to the Presi- those nurses’ aides and nurses that are Then there is an attempt to override. If dent of the United States, especially carrying around the bedpans, they ei- they cannot override, they have fur- our senior citizens, our health delivery ther are not being paid or are being ther negotiations and eventually a system, our hospitals, and I have just a half paid. compromise. If they cannot override whole list here from hospitals in North But guess what? The people that are the veto, if they cannot negotiate and Carolina, veterans hospitals and pri- perpetrating this hoax on the Amer- come to a compromise, eventually they vate hospitals that say that this budg- ican people, every one of them is get- take it to the people. They say the et would be devastating to the delivery ting a full paycheck the first of the President is unreasonable in his vetoes, system to our senior citizens and to month. We could even be voting here let us get a new President; or the ma- Medicare, not only in North Carolina today on a measure that says we are jority in Congress is unreasonable in but all across the country. going to give up some of our pay, but its bills and let us get a new majority, So we have to assume that the Re- they will not even allow that. and the American people make the ul- publicans are saying that all we have So, it is not just Federal employees timate decision. But while this is going to do, all the President has to do to put that are being inconvenienced; it is av- on, the Government continues to oper- these people back to work is to sign erage hard-working American citizens ate on a continuing resolution. their budget; that there is no room for that believe in Government, that have January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 143 paid their taxes, and they expect the But do not take my word for it. I compassion without a positive initia- services that the Government renders think it would be important to hear tive for change and for action is an to them as citizens. This is not fair. the voices of some Federal employees empty emotion. There is no reason. I challenge anybody who yesterday rallied across the coun- Sure, we are all compassionate, but on the other side of the aisle to come try. Their cry was: We will no longer be what does that mean unless it trans- and give me a valid reason why we can- sacrificial lambs. Some of their indi- lates into action to meet the needs of not put the Federal employees back to vidual stories are so definitive, so clear America’s families, and certainly not work and continue the negotiations about why we should end this shut- to send them to work without paying down at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. down, that I want to share some of them? Now, what I say today, is it worth in- their words with you. They talk about the capital gains tax conveniencing millions of Americans Pete, who files papers in the U.S. at- and say, ‘‘Oh, President Clinton says he to get at the President of the United torney’s office, told the crowd of co- will support a capital gains tax.’’ Presi- States? Is it worth that to my col- workers that she brought her two chil- dent Clinton said he would be open to leagues? This is just plain wrong. It is dren to work yesterday because she some capital gains tax, not the give- not the American way. Let us put these could not afford child care after her away to the rich for any turnover of people back to work and make America paycheck stopped. Her children are at any asset that our Republican col- work like it is supposed to work, and work with her as she changes diapers leagues are advocating. work out our differences like we al- while she does work for the Federal Last of all, because I do not have any ways have over the past years in hon- Government. more time, I want to say the other con- est negotiations on legitimate dif- Howard exclaimed, ‘‘If you do work, tradiction that I hear is that they say ferences in philosophy. you should get paid. This is a type of that Congress should obey the rules f 20th century slavery. We’re responsible that other people do. If that is the for our rent and board. Nobody else is case, then Congress should not be re- IN SUPPORT OF EMERGENCY ceiving a paycheck at a time when STATUS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS going to be paying for it. We cannot file for unemployment,’’ this particular other Federal workers are not. I call The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a group could not. ‘‘We cannot file for upon the Republican leadership to previous order of the House, the gentle- food stamps. What can we do?’’ bring legislation to the floor to effect woman from California [Ms. PELOSI] is And finally, Eula said that she can that. It has been proposed by our recognized for 5 minutes. now barely afford the gas money to get Democratic colleagues. So much to Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, as this de- her from home to work. She has a com- say, so little time. bate has proceeded, I have been listen- f ing to our colleagues on both sides of mute between Antioch and Richmond, the aisle talk about who is responsible CA. Lajuana Brown had to cancel her 2- PAINTED INTO A CORNER BY for the shutdown, and I will go into week Christmas vacation to work, and GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN that in a moment. But in the course of then had to ask her mother to take The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the debate it was interesting to hear care of her children because she could previous order of the House, the gen- people refer to various symbols of pa- not afford day care. tleman from Florida [Mr. GIBBONS] is triotism in our country: the American Mr. Speaker, the stories go on and on recognized for 5 minutes. flag, the eagle, Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam, and on. In the course of the debate, our Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, here we he is a symbol of the Federal Govern- colleagues on the Republican side of are, American people, at the 4th day of ment, but he has now become our dead- the aisle have made various comments January, 1996, almost 5 o’clock in the beat uncle, because across the country as to where the blame lay for this shut- afternoon, and what are we doing? We as we all sat down to our Christmas down. It is interesting to hear them are talking. dinners and the start of a new year, talk, because some of the comments Mr. Speaker, in November a year ago many Federal workers were deprived of seem to be contradictory, if the Par- the American people put the Repub- their pay, even those who were work- liamentarian would allow such a word. licans in charge of the U.S. Congress. ing. First of all, they talk about if the They have a majority in the House and Even further than that, many people President had not vetoed these bills. the Senate. They set the agenda. We who depend on the Federal Government Thank God the President vetoed these cannot bring anything up unless they to function not only now experience a totally unacceptable bills. They con- bring it up. They are meeting at 7 tightening of the belt, but a closing tend that they support a line-item o’clock tonight to try figure out how down of their businesses, whether it is veto, except not for this President. to get themselves out of the predica- a sandwich shop near a Federal build- How inconsistent of them to argue ment, how to get themselves out of ing or a tourist bed-and-breakfast near about a President vetoing a bill, sup- corner that they painted themselves Yosemite National Park or some other porting a line-item veto, and not giving into in this ridiculous exercise. national park throughout the country. it to President Clinton. One of the reasons I think the Amer- Mr. Speaker, as we convene this sec- Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, will the ican people put the Republicans in ond session of this Congress, we should gentlewoman yield? charge is they thought that they could all be ashamed of the disrespect with Ms. PELOSI. I am pleased to yield to run this place like a business. Well, which Congress is treating hundreds of the gentleman from North Carolina. that turned out to be a joke. What thousands of our valued Federal em- Mr. HEFNER. Does my memory fail business have we ever heard of that got ployees, public servants who want to me? Did we not pass the line-item veto mad, could not make a decision, sent work, many who are working now, and in the last session of Congress? its employees home and said, ‘‘Stay who perform important services for the Ms. PELOSI. We did, in fact. It was home, but I will pay you anyway, ex- people of our Nation. one of the provisions of the contract, cept the essential ones, you keep work- Federal workers have been caught in but not to apply to President Clinton. ing but I am not going to pay you for the middle, against their will, held hos- Mr. HEFNER. That was not specified, the work that you have done’’? I have tage to the machinations of the 104th that it would not apply to the Presi- never heard of an American business Congress. This is a personal loss for dent. They just have not given it to that is run that way; certainly not in many, and it is also a loss to the Amer- him yet. my congressional district. ican taxpayer who has invested in Fed- Ms. PELOSI. They just have not Mr. Speaker, then there is all this ar- eral performance. It is time to end the given it to President Clinton, because gument about the balanced budget. Federal Government shutdown and to of the delay. Well, I do not know anybody that is allow 260,000 Federal workers to return They also talk about compassion. not for a balanced budget in this whole to their jobs. It is self-evident, I think, How many times have we heard our House of Representatives or in this Mr. Speaker, that people who work colleagues on the Republican side of whole Congress. The question is who is should get paid for their work. Why the aisle say neither party has a mo- going to pay the cost of the balanced should that be a mystery? Why is that nopoly on compassion? Well, I say to budget? Who is going to bear the bur- even an issue here? them, my Republican colleagues, that den of the balanced budget? H 144 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Well, the Republicans have picked we begin 1996 with the budget still un- time that will end this fiscal insanity out their victims. Their victims are the resolved, I think it is important to both for ourselves and for our children? sick, old and young sick, the aged, the speak of the situation in historical If you are conservative, you certainly working poor, and a portion of the mid- context. In the 151⁄2 years that I have want that done. If you are liberal and dle class to bear the burden. And at the been in Congress, I only experienced you see every year more and more of same time they have granted to their about 9 months of Government that the Federal budget spent on interest on rich contributors substantial tax was not divided where the House and the debt instead of on programs for breaks, people who do not need the tax the Senate and the White House were Americans, you ought to also want breaks, who really have not asked for controlled by the same party. For most that done. We ought to agree upon the tax breaks. I know a lot of them; of that time, we have enjoyed or suf- that. they have never asked me for one. And fered through divided Government in And so during the course of the last this is the silliest way I have ever seen America. The White House was con- few months and the year, we offered an to run a government. trolled by one party, and the Congress amendment to the Constitution requir- Now that covers a lot. I have been was generally controlled by the other ing that Congress do that. We were met around here for 33 years and in legisla- party. We are in that same situation with objections here in the House. We tive bodies for a total of 43 years, so I today, only a little differently. succeeded in passing it in the House. have seen some silly things done. But In most of those 15 years, the Repub- We were met with objections in the the mismanagement of NEWT GINGRICH lican Party controlled the White House other body. They did not pass it in the and company, the mismanagement of and the Democratic Party controlled other body. our Republican colleagues of the time the Congress. In the course of that 15- The objections generally ran like and of the energy and of the money of year period, we have had Government this. We do not need the Constitution this country and of the resources of shutdowns. This is, I think, the fifth to tell Congress to balance the budget. this country is a shame. one we have experienced in the course We can do it ourselves and we ought to Here in January 1996, we should be of those 15 years. Most of them have do it now. That was the objection of making substantial plans as to how the been rather brief. They have been total the balanced budget amendment to the budget will be balanced, making equi- shutdowns over a weekend or a few Constitution. We do not need a con- table changes. Now, this balanced days, and eventually things were stitutional amendment. We can do it budget is not a lot different than other worked out. Unfortunately, the way and we ought to do it now. attempts that we have made. The things were worked out was typically Well, why not now? Why not a budget amount of dollars are about the same business as usual. There were com- agreement that balances the budget in as amount of dollars that we did 4 promises made; there was gives and 7 years on honest numbers right now? years ago and 2 years ago, the under- takes. There were deals cut. There was That is what this historic fight is all takings that we are taking. But most a sentiment that, well, it is better to about. That is why we are in this awful of the balance in this so-called bal- take a bad deal and go home than to period of partial Government shut- anced budget operation does not come duke it out and see if we cannot resolve down, why we have this awful debate at the beginning; it comes in the year our budget problems and somehow on our hands were sometimes it gets 2001 and the year 2002. eventually balance the U.S. budget. acrimonious and personal, and it Now, we all know what is going to The product of business as usual over should never get to that point, but that happen then. By that time there will be those 15 years of budget battles that is why we stand here in the course of a whole new group of people in charge led to temporary shutdowns and even- these early days in January struggling in this country, and most of the silly tually continuing resolutions was a with the notion of how do we negotiate things that are being said here today deepening and a worsening U.S. public eventually to a position of a balanced will have been forgotten and most of debt. It has reached a point today, now, budget in 7 years using honest numbers the savings that we are talking about where every young person today is without doing business as usual, with- will have been forgotten. likely to spend as much as 80 to 90 per- out caving in to all those who want to I talk a lot to the elderly. I guess cent of their income in taxes to some keep on taxing and spending as we have they picked me out for conversation government, State, local or Federal, done for generations to the point that because they think I am about their during their lifetime. That is what our children now are deeply in debt and age and I have got some comity with economists tell us the debt is doing to will remain in debt for the duration of them. They are worried to death about us. their lives. How do we resolve it. We re- being forced into managed care where It has reached a point today where a solve it by agreeing now to a balanced they will get a gatekeeper for their young child born today will spend budget plan. medical care instead of a physician $187,000 just paying interest on the debt f when they call on the phone for a doc- we have accumulated. It has reached tor’s appointment. They are scared the point today where if we do not THE SHUTDOWN that managed care will mean that the begin solving the Medicare crisis in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a insurance companies will decide wheth- this country, we will have two choices previous order of the House, the gentle- er they get a treatment or not, not 7 years from now. We will face a Medi- woman from the District of Columbia their doctor. care system completely bankrupt and [Ms. NORTON] is recognized for 5 min- Most of us go to a doctor because we we will either have no Medicare system utes. think we need to go to a doctor. But I for our elderly, or we will have to dou- Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, it may would rather go to a doctor that is ble payroll taxes on working Ameri- well be that in the 20th day of this cri- going to be rewarded by being paid for cans. That will be the choice 7 years sis we are too close to it, have been too what he does for me, not being re- from now if we do not stick around and immersed in it to think clearly our warded by what he does not do for me. resolve this budget debate in this, the way out of it. It is actually 25 days, if These are the kind of things that worry early days of January, or, if necessary, you consider the 5 days of the previous Americans. through 1996 until we reach election shutdown. f day and let the voters decide who is Let us look at what we say we are b 1700 right or wrong. doing. The other side honestly admits At some point Americans are going that its purpose is to bring leverage on A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE to have to make a decision. Do they the President. Examining that propo- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. really like business as usual, where sition, it is clear that the other side METCALF). Under a previous order of deals are cut at the end of every fiscal has succeeded in bringing leverage as the House, the gentleman from Louisi- year and we go deeper and deeper into much as they are ever going to do. ana [Mr. TAUZIN] is recognized for 5 debt or would they rather some Presi- Let me explain why. The fact is that minutes. dent at some time design a balanced the President has now signed on to a 7- Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, as we budget amendment based on honest year balanced budget. He had not done meet here on the eve of a new year, as numbers within a reasonable period of that before. Having done that, it would January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 145 seem to me that the majority would my colleagues really mean to inflict over the important. The really impor- acknowledge that they have accom- this kind of pain on their constituents tant thing now is that we balance this plished what they said was their great- and mine? I think not. budget. We have an urgent problem est goal. Moreover, the leverage has My colleagues have replaced the with a partial shutdown of Govern- gone as far as it can go, if I may say so, main course, the balanced budget, with ment. There has been enough talk from because, to use the words of the gen- a side dish, and that is the crisis my both sides as to how we got there from tleman from Texas, Mr. DELAY, from colleagues have left us with. Let us get my perspective and I think the perspec- your side, he was talking about Mr. back to the balanced budget. Let the tive of most Americans, the President DOLE: The President can’t cave, be- workers come back to work. has failed to keep his promise to sub- cause to simply give in is to reinforce f mit a balanced budget. a part of his reputation that he is try- You cannot negotiate, you cannot ne- TYRANNY OF THE URGENT ing to live down. It is time for the ma- gotiate when there is only one budget jority to declare victory and let the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a to negotiate. He needs to submit a bal- Federal workers come back to work, previous order of the House, the gen- anced budget. The urgent thing is because the leverage rationale has been tleman from Maryland [Mr. BARTLETT] somehow to get around this problem, spent. It is over. Declare victory. is recognized for 5 minutes. but the way to get around that is not Indeed, it is worse than that. The le- Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. to have another continuing resolution verage has yielded a boomerang crisis, Speaker, I did not come to the Con- that is going to take the pressure off to if you will, my friends, an in-your-face gress until I was 66 years old. There is do the important thing. And the impor- crisis. In the beginning the most visi- some advantage in coming here at that tant thing is to balance this budget. ble victims were Federal workers, and age. If you come here younger, if you I was talking about the time and per- people shrugged. They had not felt it have spent much of your life here, I spective. If we put ourselves down the themselves. Now we are beginning to think that you miss some opportuni- road 10 years from now and look back, get great sympathy for Federal work- ties, some insights into relevance, time nobody hardly is going to remember ers and no wonder. When a GS–2, to and perspective and things like the tyr- this partial shutdown of government. cite a specific example, opens up her anny of the urgent. But they are going to remember and paycheck, as she did this week, and Let me give my colleagues two exam- they are going to thank us for holding finds in it $4, then of course you are ples from my past. I had the great tough and balancing the budget. We going to get sympathy from all across privilege of working for 18 years in sev- must be very sure that we have a per- the country. She is a hapless victim. eral different capacities for the mili- spective of the relevance of what we By the way, the IRS and the Social Se- tary. In one of those capacities, I was are doing. We must make very sure curity did take their share. They left working, for part of my time at least, that we do not permit the tyranny of her $4. out of the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. the urgent over the important. About half of those who do contrac- There we had the responsibility for two Our constituents understand that. I tual work for the Federal Government things: One was for supporting the had a letter during our first brief par- are out of work. The trade-off that has fleet. When they had problems with tial shutdown. It was the kind of letter now become the mantra of the other their life support equipment, with oxy- that just about brought tears to your side simply does not work and is itself gen equipment and so forth, we had to eye. It was a Federal worker who said an outrage. Well, we may have to leave go out to make sure that those prob- he did not know he was going to get these workers at home in order to save lems were fixed. We also had the oppor- paid when he was furloughed. our children. Let us not talk about tunity, the responsibility there for de- b 1715 trading off one group of innocent vic- veloping new equipment that would be tims for another. But the boomerang better, that would have less problems, He said he was probably going to lose crisis that we better see, my colleagues and we would have to spend less of our $500. But that was a small enough price on the other side, very quickly, is a time going out to support the fleet. to pay for what this balanced budget service crisis, not a worker crisis. Let This was an excellent example of the would do for his children and his grand- me document that. tyranny of the urgent. When we had a children. On January 2, the States lost $74 mil- call from the fleet that was an urgent Here I have some constituent opin- lion in quarterly grants that they use problem and we had to go out to ad- ions from phone calls from five of our to confront the crisis with abused chil- dress it, the really important thing constituents. We have had many, many dren, and there are 2.5 million of those that that facility was charged with like this. This one is from Hagerstown, children. By the end of the week, 11 doing was developing new equipment so MD, the Federal employee who was fur- States and 2 of the territories, the Vir- we would not have those problems in loughed, but he thinks that I should gin Islands and the District of Colum- the future. But the tyranny of the ur- stick with the Republican plan to bal- bia, which of course is the District and gent frequently got in the way of devel- ance the budget. not a territory, will run out of funds oping the new equipment. Here is another one. These are par- for Federal unemployment insurance. In 1954, in another experience, I was ents of, and these are from Flintstone, Do my colleagues think they are going coming back from California from way out in western Maryland. They are to get off scot-free as their constitu- teaching medical school there to teach parents of five children and grand- ents confront that? medical school here in Howard Univer- parents of 11, and he is disabled, but Twenty-three thousand Americans sity. I was in the middle of Missouri they want the Congressman, their Con- per day are unable to get passports. with my family with young children gressman, to vote only on a balanced Many of them are going abroad for and a 1941 Cadillac and a big trailer on budget. They are proud of what we are business. Twenty-four thousand con- the back that had in it all of my world- doing for them here. They want me to tract Medicare claim workers are not ly possessions. A tire blew out on the hang tough. being paid. They will not be on the job Cadillac and the trailer turned over. I Here is one from New Market, MD. very long. Your State is going to run stood on the road there in the summer- Keep the Government closed. This is a out of Medicaid funds in January. Are time in the hot sun in Missouri, and I Federal worker with 22 years of experi- you prepared to take the responsibility thought, gee, if you put yourself 10 ence in the Federal Government. He for that? One thousand workplace safe- years in the future from this and look says, ‘‘Don’t buckle, stand fast.’’ ty complaints per day are going unan- back, this is not going to be a big deal. Here is another one from Ellicott swered. The FBI has ceased to train It was not. I did step back, and really, City, just south of Baltimore, just local law enforcement officers. as I look back on it now, it was not a north of here, a furloughed Federal Employment discrimination com- big deal. District employee. He wants the RGB plaints are no longer being inves- Let me apply these two things to our to stay the course. tigated. Twenty thousand foreign visi- partial shutdown of Government now. Another who congratulates on our tors per day are unable to get visas for We must be very careful that we do not budget stand: Do not support a con- a loss here of $60 million per day. Do permit the urgent to take precedence tinuing resolution. H 146 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Our people understand better than we vote on that, just as we were not al- stayed with me for many, many years, do the real important thing here and lowed to vote on the real balanced until eventually people found out the the relevance of what we are doing. budget. truth. They want us to stand firm, stay the Now I have heard people here say this So my point is that you sit here and course, balance the budget. is an inconvenience, the Government try to find out what all of this means shutdown. They will not remember the f and what all this dialog is about, and Government shutdown. Well, let me people tell you different stories about IN 1 YEAR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY tell you just what is happening to sen- different situations, and they say, well, BRINGS CRISIS TO GOVERNMENT iors in Oregon, and it is happening to if the Republicans would just sign a The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. seniors across the country. CR, they would not inflict pain. Well, METCALF). Under a previous order of Meals on Wheels. We have two Meals you know that depends on if the glass the House, the gentlewoman from Or- on Wheels places in Portland. They is half empty or half full. egon [Ms. FURSE] is recognized for 5 serve seniors every day. Well, they are minutes. going to be out of business by the end If the President had kept his word— Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I think of next week. Too bad, seniors, no now understand this, which I think is that the people who are not able to pay meals for you because the Republicans far more important: Our President their rent this month or maybe the say they want to balance the budget should keep his word. He said, ‘‘I agree ones who are not going to make their but they will not vote on a balanced to a balanced budget, scored by CBO, mortgage payments are going to re- budget. within 7 years, by a certain date.’’ member this time. As my colleagues There is very important research When that date came and went, he did know, a lot of speakers have talked going on right now on a disease that af- not perform, and we gave him a CR, from this side about this balanced fects seniors: Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s taking his word, and he violated his budget. Well, I think we have to sepa- research has been stopped in the Na- word. So now they are saying, well, rate the balanced budget from keeping tional Institute of Health because they give us another CR. the Government open. I want to talk a say we do not care if the Government So, you know, if you get burned once, little bit though about this balanced is shut down. then you are a little reluctant to keep budget. Medicare contractors who pay the playing the same game over and over. When Ronald Reagan became Presi- health care claims of our elderly; they So when you say there is pain inflicted, dent of this country, the deficit was $74 are being asked to use their own funds look at the President and ask him why billion. When President Bush left of- to operate because the Government is he said he would do something, and we fice, the deficit was $300 billion. When shut down. What a disgrace. all agreed, and everybody was happy, Bill Clinton became President, it was Federal investigators who inves- and then refused to do it. $300 billion, and today, thanks to the tigate fraud that affects all of us, but President’s budget of 1993, the deficit is particularly seniors, they are not being So you know this notion that there is half, is $161 billion, half what it was paid, they are not being paid. just one party to blame, and that is then. But it is very interesting because Now what I want to say to my col- why I go to this other story about my- there was not one Republican vote for leagues is that for 40 years you have self, is that I did not do anything that budget, that budget which has re- tried to be in the majority. All right; wrong, but the perception was that; duced the deficit by half. now you are in the majority. But you and we have not done anything wrong, OK, now they say to us, especially know what? You were not able to do but they are trying to give you that the new Republicans—well, they have the simple work that was required to perception that we do not care. not been here very long so I understand get the appropriation bills to the Presi- I am very sensitive to seniors, I am they are not sure of all the things that dent so the Government would keep very sensitive to people who do not get are going on, but let me tell you. They working. In 1 year this Government a paycheck. I spent many months not say we are going to keep this Govern- had been brought to a crisis. It is time getting a paycheck. ment closed unless we have a balanced to stop that, it is time to go with the budget. Well, their memories are very Senate version, have a continuing reso- But that is not the point. The point short because there was a balanced lution, and later today someone will is I came here, and I said to my con- budget offered on this floor, a 7-year come forward and suggest we all go stituents and you Americans, ‘‘You balanced budget, a 7-year balanced home for a vacation. Well, I am not know, we must balance the budget. budget with CBO scoring. They did not going to go home for vacation until the You don’t have an imbalanced budget vote for it. Why? Because it did not Government is back on its feet, and at home, and we have got to balance it have that $245 billion tax break for the none of us should. for you.’’ I promised to do that. So all wealthy. It is a shame, it is a shame. year I have been working to balance So yesterday we asked if that budget f the budget. could come back up, could we vote for Now we are here, we are at this criti- a balanced budget, 7 years, no tax THE PRESIDENT DID NOT KEEP HIS WORD cal confrontation, Mr. Speaker, and break for the wealthy. Well, the Repub- this is why we have fought so hard over lican leadership would not let us vote The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a this issue, and here we are with a con- on it. previous order of the House, the gen- frontation. So it is not the balanced budget they tleman from California [Mr. BONO] is care about. They want to keep this recognized for 5 minutes. Now, does it make any sense to say, Government closed down because, like Mr. BONO. Mr. Speaker, unfortu- OK, here we are with this issue, now let the former speaker, they do not seem nately I happen to have been sued very us back all the way off and do every- to understand that individual Ameri- often in my life. I dislike all of that be- thing back on the President’s terms? cans are hurting, people have to pay cause it just seems to take everything Not to me it does not. Because he does their rent, people have to make a mort- out of your hands, and pretty soon a not keep his word I have a very hard gage payment. judge is telling you how you have to time trusting what he will say in the Senator DOLE, who is the head of the live, and why, and what, and where. future, and so I think now we have to, other body, got together with the And the greatest lesson I—one of the of course, stand tough, but certainly Democrats and the Republicans on the greatest lessons I ever got was when I we are not insensitive to this, and if 21st, and that was just Tuesday. They was sued for indentured servitude, there is an insensitivity, look at the passed a continuing resolution, get the white slavery, and it got all through- person that did not keep his word. Government back. We begged yester- out the press, and all the press read it, I just want to say to you, things are day, please bring that continuing reso- and it described me as a Svengali and not always as they appear, and rhetoric lution up that the Senate has passed, that I controlled this person’s life. is rhetoric. Always try to find out the let us get the Government back to Then it got to court, and it was thrown facts, and the facts are the President work. But, no, we were not allowed to out because it was ridiculous. But that did not keep his word. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 147 IT IS WRONG TO USE FEDERAL can balance the budget. You look at going, and there are points of conten- EMPLOYEES AS PAWNS IN THE the budget that passed this House and tion that I believe can be ironed out. GAME OF THE BUDGET DEBATE we had $245 billion in tax breaks in Medicaid is one of the contentions The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a that. To me, that is personally unac- that I have, the Medicaid system. I am previous order of the House, the gen- ceptable; it is too large. But I am will- not exactly thrilled with block-grant- tleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. HOLD- ing to go halfway and meet my friend ing Medicaid, and the reason for that is EN] is recognized for 5 minutes. on the other side in moving toward bal- Pennsylvania has the second highest Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to ancing the budget. senior citizen population in the coun- the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. ABER- Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, will try, next to Florida. Under the pro- CROMBIE]. the gentleman yield? posed budget that passed the House, Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. HOLDEN. I yield to the gen- Pennsylvania would lose $9 billion over thank the gentleman for yielding. tleman from Georgia. 7 years in the Medicaid Program. Mr. Speaker, the reason that I want- Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I cer- Forty-five percent of all Medicaid ex- ed to have that minute was to give the tainly appreciate the gentleman’s atti- penditures in the Commonwealth of gentleman an opportunity to discuss, tude, and I would be open to work with Pennsylvania are for the senior citi- just for at least a moment, his propo- you guys on that. I think a lot of peo- zens and nursing homes. So to lose $9 sition that the President has not kept ple on our side of the aisle would. I also billion, half of that which goes to sen- his word. I appreciate the civility of his want to say that I am one of those who iors and nursing homes would put a comments and understand he has been think that we should get the folks back terrible burden on the Commonwealth. an ex-mayor, he has had some legisla- working. I am not saying that would vote for a tive experience; but it is hard for me to Let me say this: Would the President program that block-granted Medicaid, comprehend why would he punish inno- accept that coalition budget? Because but we would have to make sure it was cent people if somebody else does not one of our reluctances is that if we pass fair and that the Commonwealth of keep their word? We are legislators. that, will the President stand behind Pennsylvania, in my case, would be Why do we not get together then, and it? treated fairly. I am sure the gentleman come up with a proposition, and we Mr. HOLDEN. I do not know if the would feel the same about Georgia. could present it to the President? I fail President will accept that budget, but I If I could just sum up and thank the to understand the rationale, and I do can tell you that I will accept it, and gentleman for the dialog and say that not think the American people accept there are numerous Members on our I believe that we can pass a balanced the proposition that because the Presi- side of the aisle who have already budget, but there are those who will dent is perceived by the gentleman voted for it and many more who will not give in on the tax cut that might from California and his colleagues as vote for it when it comes up again. have to be left behind, and there are not having kept his word, they are When you look at the differences in those who do not really have the prior- going to punish the American people. the budget, the budget that passed the ity of balancing the budget that may Punishing the American people will House that the gentleman voted for need to be left behind, but we can drive not solve it. We are legislators. We had a $245 billion tax break in it. If you a budget down the middle, and that is need to solve it right here in this would reduce that, say, down to $110 or what the American people want us to Chamber. $100 billion, still giving a tax break to do. Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, the time working families, and put that $100 or f has come in this Chamber for action. $110 billion in savings into the Medi- care system where we would only be KEEP WORKING TO END THE Senator DOLE summed it up absolutely SHUTDOWN correct when he said in the other having, say, $150 or $170 billion in the Chamber, ‘‘Enough is enough,’’ as he slowing of growth of the Medicare Pro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a guided a continuing resolution through gram, that is something that is accept- previous order of the House, the gentle- the other Chamber that opened up the able to me. woman from California [Ms. WOOLSEY] Federal Government. I look at my district where I have is recognized for 5 minutes. We need to do the same thing in this 95,000 Medicare recipients and thou- Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, today Chamber. sands more waiting to go into the Med- the West Marin Chamber of Commerce I have thousands of Federal employ- icare Program; and I look at the hos- in Marin County, CA released a report ees in my district, in the Social Secu- pitals in my district, and right now showing that the communities around rity Administration, in the Veterans’ they are only receiving $1 for every $1 and near the Point Reyes National Sea- Administration, at Federal prisons, at of services they are providing for Medi- shore, which is in my district, have Minersville, Lewisburg, and Allenwood care patients. Under the proposed lost upward of $5 million in lost tourist who are either on a furlough, or who budget that the gentleman voted for, revenues, to date, as a result of the are being forced to work extra hours, that would go down to 88 cents. Gingrich government shutdown. That an extra shift, and not being paid. It is Mr. KINGSTON. If the gentleman is right. Due to the Gingrich shutdown, not right to use Federal employees as will yield, I want you to know that I business in West Marin is down 45 per- pawns in this game in this whole budg- believe that there is a lot of room for cent from last year. As one of my con- et debate. discussion on that. I do not pretend to stituents said just recently, last year represent all Republicans on this, but I was not a particularly good year. b 1730 know that there are many who would But it is not just the businesses in So I say to my colleagues, let us pass like to work with you on it. Again, the West Marin who are hurting, Mr. a continuing resolution and let us con- concern is, could we do it as a veto- Speaker. Americans all over the coun- tinue this debate on balancing the proof measure if the President will not try are being denied crucial services, budget. go along with a bipartisan budget. services that include passports, home I say to my colleagues on the other Would you have any feel for that? mortgages, child support, and small side, I want to work with you. I want Mr. HOLDEN. Well, I would say to business loans. That is because of the to work with you in balancing the the gentleman, if we can put a budget new majority’s shutdown. But that is budget in 7 years using CBO numbers, on this floor that I believe in, I would not all either, Mr. Speaker. and we can do that. The framework for vote for it and I would vote to override If the shutdown continues, if it con- doing that is already in place. We need a veto if it was. tinues much longer, 600,000 elderly to continue the dialog and have a give- I cannot speak for the entire Demo- Americans, many of them invalids, and-take process. cratic membership, but I believe that may not be able to participate in the If you look at the coalition budget this process that is going on now where popular and successful Meals on Wheels that was offered in this House, it bal- people are saying, it is going to be my Program. anced the budget in 7 years and had no way or no way at all, is not healthy for Mr. Speaker, it is clear: We are al- tax cuts. I say to you that is a frame- the gentleman or me or the American ready paying the price for the new ma- work. We can work with that and we people. We need to get this process jority’s radical agenda. If you think H 148 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 this shutdown is bad now, believe me, this context of Federal employees Under the President’s plan, we would we are really going to be paying the being furloughed, we are talking about be looking at $7,200. A difference of ac- price if the Republicans get their way balancing the Federal budget: There tually $137 a month out of over $7,000 when their crown jewel, the special in- are many, many good people on the per person spending. It is a minute terest tax breaks, and their huge edu- other side of the aisle who have talked amount, and yet we hear how the Re- cation and Medicare cuts are proposed about balancing the budget and actu- publicans are going to be throwing old or go through. ally have brought a balanced budget to people out in the streets, they will not To add insult to injury, the Gingrich the table. It is something President be able to get quality medical care. I Republicans are now talking about Clinton himself promised to bring to think that if you ask any American if calling it quits and going home while the table in November, which he has they actually thought about a cut in people in my district and across this failed to do up to this point. I com- Medicare, they would think that if you Nation continue to suffer the con- mend the Democrats in the Congress are spending $4,800 a year now, that sequences of the shutdown. who have been willing to follow their you would actually be spending less of Mr. Speaker, 198 House Democrats words with actions and actually bring that in the year 2002 per person. want to keep working, working to end a balanced budget to the table. Mr. Speaker, let us just let the facts the shutdown. The other body wants to Now, Mr. Speaker, we all know that speak for themselves. Let us do what is keep working; for Pete’s sake, BOB actions speak louder than words, and right for the future of America, for my DOLE wants to keep working, and as he in our negotiating, we need to have children, for your children and the fu- said just yesterday or earlier this people to keep their word. But let us ture of America’s children. week, enough is enough. But it is the keep the bigger picture in mind, Mr. f Gingrich Republicans who would rather Speaker. Let us keep the big picture of go home than get Government up and what this country is about. REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP running again. It is the Gingrich Re- For the last 26 years, Republicans SHOULD KEEP ITS WORD publicans who are willing to hang on to and Democrats have voted for deficits The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a their radical agenda no matter what now that have totaled a national debt previous order of the House, the gen- the impact is on American people, and of over $5 trillion. It is immoral to live tleman from Georgia [Mr. BISHOP] is it is the Gingrich Republicans who are and to pass on debt to your children recognized for 5 minutes. willing to use Federal workers and and your grandchildren while you Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I have Federal services, services, by the way, enjoy the benefits of that spending. heard a lot about keeping their word. I I just had a little girl born on Decem- that have been paid for by taxpayers, think one of the most interesting ber 2. Every child born in the United to try to blackmail the budget process. things that has happened this year is States last year has a $187,000 bill Mr. Speaker, for the people of this that during the first 100 days as a part hanging over their heads just to pay in- country, for the families and busi- of the so-called Contract With Amer- terest on the national debt in their nesses in my district and across the ica, there was an item that some of us lifetime. They get nothing for that, country, for the honor of this institu- supported called the line-item veto. just interest, because career politicians tion, I say to the other party across the We passed the line-item veto. It here in Washington have been unwill- aisle here, do not even think about passed both Houses of the Congress and ing to say no to special interest groups. sending us home. We belong here; we Mr. Speaker, I think that the fresh- yet it has not been sent to the Presi- must continue working, and we must man class came here to do something dent for his signature. They will not stop this shutdown and we must do it different. We were elected to say no to send it. They will not keep their word, now. the big spending career politicians in because had there been a line-item f Washington, and we are doing that, Mr. veto, we would not be in this shutdown that we are now in. We would be able COMMUNITIES PULLING Speaker. Today we are faced with the to continue the operation of Govern- TOGETHER opportunity, the greatest opportunity any of us could have imagined, to actu- ment and the American people would The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ally balance the Federal budget over no longer be suffering, and only those previous order of the House, the gen- the next 7 years. Frankly, many of us items in the budget where there was a tleman from Nevada [Mr. ENSIGN] is think that it is too long, 7 years is too bone of contention would be on the recognized for 5 minutes. long. Some people think that 10 years table for discussion. Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to is maybe the amount of time that we Keeping their word, the Republican pay special tribute to four banks in should spend. Seven years I think to leadership ought to keep its word and southern Nevada. Sunstate Bank, Pio- most Americans, they think that it is send to the President a line-item veto neer Citizens Bank, American Bank of too long as well. and get us out of this shutdown. Commerce and Bank West. These four For the last 7 years, we spent a little There are some of us that have sup- banks, Mr. Speaker, have decided to over $9 trillion, total Federal spending. ported a 7-year balanced budget, some give interest-free loans to Federal In the next 7 years under these Repub- in the 103d Congress using CBO num- workers who are either furloughed or lican cuts that you hear about, we are bers, but having no tax cut. working and not receiving their full going to spend over $12 trillion, almost b 1745 paychecks. This is a private-sector so- $3 trillion more in Federal spending lution happening for community banks under the Republican plan, and we hear We are being led to believe that the helping local people. This is a solution in Washington that is a cut. That is reason that the Government is shut that shows that not all answers have to why many of us think that 7 years is down is because Democrats and the come from the Federal level. actually too long. President will not agree to a 7-year Mr. Speaker, the presidents of these Medicare alone, the last 7 years, we balanced budget using CBO numbers. banks, when I approached them about spent a little over $900 billion. The next The real bone of contention is the tax making these loans, these interest-free 7 years under Medicare, Mr. Speaker, cut, 245 billion dollars’ worth for loans to Federal employees, jumped at we are going to spend under the Repub- wealthy people, while cutting in half the chance. That is the way local com- lican plan of cuts that you hear about, the tax breaks and adding to the taxes munities pull together. These are peo- over $1.6 trillion. That is over $700 bil- of the working poor, people who earn ple living in the local community; they lion more in the next 7 years versus the $26,000 a year or less, by repealing half understand the needs of the local peo- last 7 years. of their earned income tax credit. ple, and they were willing to pull to- Mr. Speaker, this year in the United I must agree with Senator DOLE— gether to help these Federal employees States we spend in Medicare $4,800 per enough is enough. This message comes through this difficulty that each one of person in Medicare this year. Under the across loud and clear from my con- them is going through at this point. Republican plan in the year 2002, we stituents in the Second District of A few things that have been ad- will spend a little over $7,100 under the Georgia. dressed tonight, Mr. Speaker, that I Republican cuts that you hear about, For the second time in 3 months, the would also like to address because in $4,800 to $7,100. U.S. Government ran out of money and January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 149 nine Federal agencies serving millions trict every day. I live close enough to compromise for a budget that, yes, is of Americans shut their doors. The home to be able to do that, and I have balanced in 7 years but also protects shutdown occurred after a short-term the chance to talk to my constituents the priorities that are important to the funding resolution expired and Repub- every day and learn firsthand of the people of this Nation. licans failed to pass a fair and equi- hardships that are being caused be- In doing that, I think we do have the table funding bill for the various agen- cause of our failure to do our work and framework to reach a bipartisan agree- cies. get our budget passed on time. ment on a budget. Look at the coali- The cost to the taxpayers of this I have had a chance to talk to the tion budget that now is getting much budget failure increases every day that people at our veterans hospital, in praise. Many of us have been speaking the impasse continues. As the Govern- which supplies are dangerously low, af- for a long time in favor of that ap- ment shutdown enters its 20th day and fecting the quality of health care for proach and have been looking for help the cost of that shutdown to the Amer- our veterans; where money for trans- for our colleagues in this House and ican taxpayer is $50 million each busi- portation for rehabilitation services is the Senate. That particular budget pro- ness day, citizens from southwest Geor- not available to take care of our veter- vides the opportunity for us to balance gia are also experiencing this shutdown ans’ needs. the budget within 7 years and hold true in other ways. I received a telephone call from a to the priorities that are important to My constituents are fed up with a constituent in Howard County, MD who the American people. shutdown that stops money for the has a FHA-insured mortgage and wants But we will never get that oppor- Older Americans Senior Citizens Cen- to participate in the mortgage assign- tunity unless we restore decent order ter, a facility that has provided needed ment program but cannot find anyone in our community. That requires us on services such as meals and transpor- at HUD to make that review because of a bipartisan basis tonight to pass a tation, Meals on Wheels for many sen- the furloughs in that agency. continuing resolution so that Federal ior citizens in Macon, GA; a shutdown I have talked to a small business workers can work and that our tax- that stopped 40 students and teachers owner who trains SSA employees, payers can get the services that they from Whigam Elementary School in whose classrooms are closed because of have paid for. Whigam, GA from touring the White our inability to fund appropriations for I hope that we can find that biparti- House, the FBI, the Smithsonian Insti- that agency. The small business owner san cooperation in this House so that tute, and from laying a wreath at the is in danger of laying off many of his we can do the people’s work, open Gov- tomb of the unknown soldier at Arling- employees and closing his operation. ernment back up and then move for- This morning I had coffee with a law ton National Cemetery after a 2-year ward with the budget of this country. fund-raising effort on their part; a enforcement officer who is working f shutdown that stops access to pass- without pay, whose life is on the line ports for members of the African Meth- every day, who made some arrests yes- DEMOCRATS TO CONTINUE TO odist Episcopal Church who want to terday. I talked to that law enforce- FIGHT TO SUPPORT MIDDLE travel to South Africa to celebrate the ment officer for some time. He ex- CLASS 100th anniversary of the founding of plained to me the morale issues within The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a their church in that country, a Mercer his agency. previous order of the House, the gen- How do you explain some people University student from Cordele, GA, tleman from Tennessee [Mr. CLEMENT] working without pay, some people not who earned a fellowship to study this is recognized for 5 minutes. working without pay, and Federal tax- semester in England; and for a Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I join payers paying their taxes and not re- Kendrick High School student in Co- the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. ceiving Government services? You can- lumbus who could not go to Japan on a CARDIN] in his legislation because I feel not explain that to our constituents. It nonrefundable ticket that she worked a strongly we must stay here until we is unfair, it is wrong. It is unfair to year to purchase, all because she could get the job completed. Part of that as- Federal workers, it is unfair to Federal not get a passport because of the shut- signment is to get the Federal workers taxpayers. down; a shutdown that stops many back to work because this partial shut- Federal workers from paying house And now we hear that the Committee on Rules has recommended a rule that down surely does not make any sense payments, utility bills, car notes, and at all. from buying food and medication for will allow the Speaker to give recess authority so that we will go home with As a Member of Congress, I have had family members. the opportunity to vote in support of a Mr. Speaker, this is immoral and un- our Federal workers still on furlough, without getting our work done. That is balanced budget amendment and I am conscionable. Enough is enough. It is proud of it, and we passed it in the time for Republicans to offer a funding wrong and should not be allowed. House of Representatives. It failed by bill, a fair and equitable funding bill Mr. Speaker, I have taken this time this evening to inform my colleagues one vote in the U.S. Senate. that will reopen the Government and Since I have been a Member of Con- still continue the budget negotiations. of a resolution that I am filing. This gress, I have also had the opportunity Americans have been away from their resolution will prohibit us going into a to support and vote for a line-item jobs long enough and without services recess or adjournment during any pe- veto, and why the Republicans and the long enough. riod of a lapsed appropriation for the Mr. Speaker, the House should take Federal Government. We should not Republican leadership would hold it up up and pass H.R. 1643 to end the shut- leave here until we have gotten our now simply because we have a Demo- down of the Government, to return work done. It would be unconscionable cratic President, and the same Repub- Federal workers to work and restore for us to leave with the appropriations licans year after year when we had a needed services to American citizens. not available to keep Federal offices Republican President in office wanted Then we should pass a fair and equi- open. a line-item veto, and now when we table balanced budget, 7 years, using I hope my colleagues will join me and have the opportunity, that window of CBO numbers, without a tax cut until cosponsor this resolution to make it opportunity to have a line-item veto, the budget is balanced. clear that we will stay here until we we do not have it because the Repub- f get our work done. licans have held it up. Our first order should be to pass a We have not gotten much credit in CONGRESS NEEDS TO FINISH ITS continuing resolution. We should have the last few years for cutting the budg- WORK done that 20 days ago. We should do et deficits in half, but we have accom- The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. that first, open up the Government of- plished that objective by working to- METCALF). Under a previous order of fices, allow Federal taxpayers to get gether. We have downsized the mili- the House, the gentleman from Mary- their services for the taxes that they tary. The cold war is over. That is a land [Mr. CARDIN] is recognized for 5 have paid. That should be our first major achievement for the U.S. Con- minutes. order. gress and something we all ought to be Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I have the After we have done that, we should proud of. We have downsized the Fed- opportunity to travel back to my dis- negotiate in good faith, be willing to eral Government. We needed to do it. H 150 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 The Federal Government, all govern- within 7 years using CBO numbers. We tleman from North Dakota [Mr. ments, need to operate more effi- can accomplish all those goals and ob- POMEROY] is recognized for 5 minutes. ciently. jectives. But we surely should not have Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, while I But I have noticed over the years, used Federal workers as whipping boys. always appreciate the opportunity to particularly the last several years, It serves no useful purpose. participate in House debate, the format when the criticisms have come, par- We have a job to accomplish. I know for this afternoon’s participation ticularly about government, I do not what I am going to do. I am not going comes not in the context of legislative hear the Republicans pointing their to accept a January paycheck until activity geared at actually addressing finger at big business and some of the other Federal workers are back to the crisis that faces this Government actions they have taken, particularly work, and I encourage others to prac- today with the ongoing shutdown, day on mergers and acquisitions and laying tice the same policy. Maybe if we do 20. No, regrettably, the only occasion off hundreds of thousands of people. I not accept our paycheck, maybe we for my ability to participate in debate do not hear them saying too much will get more accomplished quicker, this afternoon comes in the form of about that. But when it comes to gov- faster now. special orders, open format time for ernment, about the inefficiencies of f speeches, because no legislative busi- government, I sure hear a lot of criti- ness is presently occurring on the floor b 1800 cism about government, but not about of the House. big business. THE BLANCHFILL FAMILY OF How can this possibly be that no leg- Maybe the time has come to get our CHULA VISTA, CA: ANOTHER islative business is occurring while the priorities in order. Maybe the time has GINGRICH HOSTAGE Government is shut down, and none come when we ought not to have so The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. other than the Senate majority leader, much bickering and we should have METCALF). Under a previous order of BOB DOLE, has led an effort and passed less partisanship and less acrimony in the House, the gentleman from Califor- it unanimously through the Senate to our dealings with one another. Maybe nia [Mr. FILNER] is recognized for 5 reopen the Government? Senator DOLE we ought to have a little more respect minutes. said some very interesting things as for one another on the floor. Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, my col- that effort succeeded in the Senate. I I know we have got a lot of new leagues, I want to tell you very briefly am going to point to this chart, Members. We have got 73 new Repub- the story of yet another Gingrich hos- ‘‘Enough is enough. I do not see any licans since January of 1995, and I tage. Mr. GINGRICH and company are sense in what we have been doing. I know a lot of them think we have not not only shutting down the Govern- would hope that we would have quick accomplished anything, that every- ment and shutting out Federal employ- action in the House. People have been thing we have done in the past is ees, they are causing real hardship for gone from their jobs long enough.’’ wrong. Well, maybe they ought to read real American families, like the In this morning’s Washington Post, our history books, all the way back to Blanchfills of Chula Vista in my dis- his quotes contain further elaboration, June and July of 1776 when at the Con- trict in southern California. and again this is the Republican leader tinental Congress in Philadelphia our Michael Blanchfill served his country in the Senate talking about the shut- Founding Fathers had to work out for 20 years as a Navy medic. Several down, ‘‘It is not as through Clinton is their differences in order to sign a doc- years ago, as he was about to be de- wincing every day because the Govern- ument we know of as the Declaration ployed for Desert Storm, he was diag- ment is shut down. It is not having any of Independence. nosed with Huntington’s chorea, a fatal impact. If we had a point to make, we Yes, we have got a lot of friction be- disease. made it.’’ tween the parties and yes, we have a Michael’s wife, Loretta, has been He goes on to say, again, Senator lot of friction within the parties, and forced to quit her job as a restaurant DOLE goes on to say, ‘‘I know it is sort we are sure seeking a lot of that now, manager to care for her stricken hus- of macho and all that stuff regarding particularly between the House and the band. The Blanchfill’s daughters, April the shutdown and the standoff and the Senate. The Senate Republicans want and Rachel, also help care for their fa- crisis, but there are human beings out to put the Federal workers back to ther, who can barely walk or talk. there who are suffering. There are not work, but not the House Republicans. April has been inspired by her father’s many rich people working for the Fed- They want to continue this impasse. illness to study medical technology at eral Government. They have mortgages They want to continue this gridlock. Edutec Professional College, but now to pay, they have vacation plans, they We Democrats do want to protect her studies are threatened because of have all kinds of plans. They have ill- Medicare. Yes, we Democrats want to the lack of funding due to the current nesses.’’ protect Medicaid and education and the shutdown. Well, Senator DOLE is precisely cor- environment. We do not want a tax on The Veterans’ Administration Hos- rect, and this has raised holy hell with our working people. We want to do pital in San Diego should provide ther- Federal workers all over the country. more for our students, knowing that apy for Michael, but now no doctor is But I do not want to just leave the they need an education in order for us available to treat him nor will the VA impression that this is about the prob- to have a strong middle class for the supply him with a wheelchair during lems this irresponsible shutdown has future. That is why we have been so this shutdown, nor will the daycare for caused Federal employees, because it successful in America, is because we Michael be provided. And, of course, no has gone much, much further than have had a strong middle class, and I home care will be available to permit that. The House Republican leaders, assure you the Democrats are going to Loretta to return to work. who have caused this shutdown, have continue to fight for the middle class So Michael Blanchfill, a Navy vet- told furloughed workers, ‘‘do not because they are the backbone of eran who served his country, des- worry, you will be paid.’’ Now, we know America. perately needs his country’s help. As a they have a cash flow crisis right now I am part of a bipartisan group that medic, he was never taken a prisoner, in the meantime, but they have been is meeting now, and we have been but now he is a hostage, a Gingrich assured they will be paid for the days meeting almost every day to somehow hostage to extremist demands. they are not working presently. break this gridlock and this impasse Mr. Speaker and Mr. GINGRICH, let us Now, there are a lot of other people that we presently have. We are talking focus on the real needs of real families who are not working today as a result about policy and substance. We are like the Blanchfills. Let us pass the of the shutdown who will not be paid. willing to sacrifice our political and necessary resolutions now. Every employee of a private contractor partisan talk for real results. f who is out of business because of this I urge all my colleagues to work to- shutdown will expect no retroactive gether in the next few days to deliver LET US REOPEN THE paycheck. We all know stories. I will this important gift to the American GOVERNMENT tell you about being in Bismarck just a people. Let us put the Federal workers The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a couple of days ago, Bismarck, ND, and back to work, let us balance the budget previous order of the House, the gen- there in the coffee shop was a person January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 151 absolutely in a quiet room, no one A BALANCED BUDGET IS MOST A lot of them are saying, ‘‘Well, I there, no one there, because there were IMPORTANT support the coalition budget.’’ I would very few employees in the building. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a say, if you support the coalition budg- Now, that person works for a private previous order of the House, the gentle- et, then that is very good, too, and that contractor. They were there, but oth- woman from Kansas [Mrs. MEYERS] is is progress. But there is still a lot who ers have been laid off, as many, many recognized for 5 minutes. do not support the Republican budget employees of private contractors have Mrs. MEYERS of Kansas. Mr. Speak- or the coalition budget and are coming been laid off all over the country. er, I think the fact that we have closed down here saying, ‘‘Of course, I support a budget.’’ Well, where is it? Hello? The There is no provision for addressing Government down is difficult. It is very budget negotiations are going on. Go these people. They are simply out of important for a number of people, but ahead and put your budget in any time luck. I also would like to say that the impor- tance of getting a balanced budget in now. Then we get to another very impor- this country is even more important. We want to get the Government tant category, veterans’ health care. The budget that we have produced working again. We want to reopen it. Imagine if you were lying in a hospital puts money back into people’s pockets. But you cannot do it when you have bed critically needing medical care, It leaves choices to governments, to got one side who will not come to the but also acutely aware that those pro- State and local governments and to in- table. So I think it is very, very impor- viding the care were not being paid. dividuals. It reduces spending and tant to say, OK, you know, let us try to Now, my office checked with the Di- ceases the mortgaging of our children’s get beyond the Federal Government, rector of the VA center in Fargo, ND, future. It ends a number of programs you know, and the shutdown, and let us and he told us that the sick count is that have absolutely crippled this get back to the balancing of the budg- going up; fewer and fewer employees country. It ends entitlement to pro- et. We have a debt right now that is al- actually coming in under these cir- grams where funding just continues to most $5 trillion. We spend $20 billion cumstances. He said they are calling in go on and on and on. I do not know if everybody knows each month in interest on the debt, and sick, and he is worrying about filling I hope that we see some of the urgency his rotations. what an entitlement is. But an entitle- ment is a program where we define cer- that we are seeing on, you know, re- Imagine the concern for the veteran, tain parameters in the law and then if opening the Government, I hope we see the hospitalized veterans in our VA you fit into those parameters, you are the equal urgency on let us balance the system watching this inactivity in the entitled to money. And we have a num- budget. I think we should have both. I House today and wondering what kind ber of these entitlements. think we should get the Government of health care they will get tomorrow, We do not even appropriate specific reopened. But I think we should rush whether the person providing the medi- amount of money. We just say such most importantly to balance the budg- cal services they so desperately re- sums as may be necessary, and we have et. I hope our friends would see that. quire, doing it without pay, will even said to young women that we will give I know the gentleman from Texas show up tomorrow to give the care that them $18,000 a year if all they will do is wanted us to yield some time. I do not is critically needed. just have two children out of wedlock, control the time, but if the gentle- woman would yield, what I would say Another major area is housing. You and then we have promised them they are entitled to that $18,000 a year. is we often yield to you but do not get know, many, many housing loans are yielded back. So if we do, if the gentle- supported by an FHA guarantee or a Some of these entitlements abso- lutely demand that we change them, woman decides to yield to you, I would VA guarantee. These programs process appreciate it if you would reciprocate every single day 2,500 mortgages for and it is tremendously important that we do this. The President has simply back and let me have some of your FHA and an additional 1,000 for the VA time so that we can have a dialogue if system all over the country. You have not cooperated and not followed through with what he said he would do. that is what the gentlewoman desires. got people who have counted on mov- Mrs. MEYERS of Kansas. Mr. Speak- ing, counted on closing real estate At this point in time, I yield to my colleague, the gentleman from Georgia er, reclaiming my time, I would just deals and getting into their new loca- say for a moment that I think a lot of tions, maybe some of them have even [Mr. KINGSTON]. Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentle- people out there are thinking we could abandoned or made plans to abandon woman for yielding and wanted to get the Government open again, we the apartments in which they are pres- make some points that we have heard a could get the people back to work, it is ently residing, contemplating timely lot of speeches about let us reopen the just a matter of numbers, why do they loan closure, and guess what, the Fed- Government. not just split the difference in what eral Government is shut down because I want to say to my friends on that they want to do with Medicare or Med- House Republicans do not agree with side of the aisle, I think there is cer- icaid? BOB DOLE that we need to reopen this tainly a good argument for it. We are The point that I am trying to make Government, and they are out of luck. talking real people, real paychecks, is that it is not just a matter of num- Another dimension, there are people real mortgages, and so forth. I think bers. It is a fundamental, a totally fun- struggling with bills, veterans qualify- we need to address that. damental difference in the way we view ing for these low-interest veterans’ I wish they would also have equal fer- Government, and essentially it does loans they want to refinance. There vency to the debt they are passing on not mean that either are wrong. It has been a favorable turn in interest to children. If a baby is born today, he means that the Democrats believe in rates. They want to refinance. They or she owes $187,000 as his or her part of rather a larger role for the Federal are up against the wall in terms of the interest on the national debt, Government. The Republicans believe monthly cash flow, but guess what, $187,000 above and beyond local, State, in a more limited role for the Federal Government shutdown, applications and Federal taxes. Government, and you cannot get there stacking up, nothing being processed, Now, you know, you talk about com- with all of the entitlements. no refinancing, stick with that high in- passion. What about the legacy of debt f terest rate. which people do not seem to be worried b 1815 about passing on to kids? What we are The passport dimension of this has hearing is, of course, ‘‘I supported a TIME TO PUT AMERICA BACK TO raised heck all over the country; unem- balanced budget.’’ Well, they do, but WORK ployment applications; SBA loans. The not every one of them voted for it. You The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a list goes on and on and on, and that is know, here is, we had the ‘‘yes’’ votes previous order of the House, the gen- why Senator DOLE told his colleagues from GEREN, HALL, MONTGOMERY, and tleman from Texas [Mr. BENTSEN] is in the Senate, ‘‘Enough is enough.’’ PARKER when we had the Balanced recognized for 5 minutes. I say to my colleagues in the House, Budget Act, so from the side over there Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, if I enough is enough. Let us reopen this we only had four ‘‘yes’’ votes. That is could yield for 30 seconds to the gentle- Government. fine. woman from North Carolina. H 152 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I want- get paid for their time, and therefore ers of Congress and the President of ed to respond while the gentlewoman they cannot pay their creditors; and the United States going to get to- from Kansas, Mrs. MEYERS, was here, people who are running for political of- gether? Is this not a negotiation just as because she made a comment. I wanted fice can get paid. That certainly makes a labor-management negotiation would to just share for the record that as we no business sense, but if it is revolu- be? talk about young people having chil- tionary, I think that would be correct. The fact is, it is not such a negotia- dren, I think we would be remiss if we Let us address a couple of questions tion, and that is unfortunate. It should did not see opportunities that we have about why we are here. This all started be. The congressional leaders want it here in Congress where we can inter- when this House under the Republican to be. The congressional leaders went vene, and we have not done that. leadership failed to finish its business, in with a plan, a budget that had been I know the gentlewoman did not its constitutional business, by October overwhelmingly approved in both mean to scapegoat innocent children 1, 1995. We did not send any appropria- Chambers and had been sent to the who happen to be born out of wedlock. tion bills to the President by the begin- President, and which he vetoed. We could have an opportunity in the ning of the fiscal year. So far now, 3 The President has had no plan. The Medicaid discussion itself to fund pre- months into the fiscal year, we have President, who has signed on the dot- vention, but we do not do that. Cur- sent only 10 of 13. ted line to say ‘‘yes, I believe in a rently we wait until they get pregnant, We all know that the process of Gov- seven year budget,’’ and ‘‘yes, I want and then we are able to say, oh, look ernment under the Constitution is one that to be scored by the Congressional what is happening. We do not spend of give and take. The fact is that you Budget Office,’’ something he had advo- money to provide teenagers with fam- send the bills to the President, the cated in this Chamber several years ily planning and to make sure we inter- President can veto or sign those bills, ago in a State of the Union Address. vene in a positive way. That is some- and you work them out. It happened But when the President left town and thing we could have the responsibility with Ronald Reagan when he was the went abroad, his agents came up with for. President and had a Republican-con- no plan. I just want to put in the record that trolled Senate and Democrat-con- Finally they submitted a little plan. the gentlewoman and I are held ac- trolled House, it happened with Presi- That little plan was $400 billion in defi- countable for that. dent Bush, and it has happened cit. Now, if you have a $400 billion defi- Mrs. MEYERS of Kansas. If the gen- throughout the history of this Nation. cit every year, you are going to add $1 tleman would yield for 30 seconds, I But to add insult to injury I think is trillion to the national debt essentially would say my main concern is that the fact that this Republican leader- in 21⁄2 years, and that will mean we add programs that we initially started and ship decided earlier this year that we $4 trillion in a decade to what is al- have carried on, that we tried to help would adjourn for the month of August ready a $5 trillion national debt. people, and instead they have become when we had not finished our business. Now, when the President came back, an incentive for people to join the wel- Now we are in this mess. Now they are quite correctly, he got away from the fare system. They have become too talking about adjourning until the aides having the discussion, and meet- generous and they have become an en- President gives the State of the Union ings were held at the White House. The titlement, people know they are there, address without taking care of their President participated, the Speaker of and they have been abusing the sys- business. the House participated, and the major- tem. That is what I am trying to end. There is just simply no excuse for ity leader of the Senate participated. Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, reclaim- that. We have heard the stories about That was all very well. Some days they ing my time, if I might, I believe in the people, like the folks like Dick Clark, seemed to be making a little progress. House absurdity begets absurdity. This who is with the University of Texas But never has the President submitted shutdown is obviously one of the most Health Science Center at the Texas a balanced budget. And he probably absurd things I have seen. It clearly Medical Center in my district, who has never will. He has not kept his end of has accomplished nothing, although it NIH grants to do research, and they are the bargain. He has not kept his word. has provided a great deal of hardship, looking to let people go. Or the busi- Now, in a labor negotiation with not only for Federal employees but nessmen in Houston trying to sell U.S. management, both sides would go in American taxpayers as well. goods and services overseas, but they with their wish list, if you will, and Last week the senior Senator from cannot get passports to get out of the there would be an honest discussion of Texas, my colleague in the other body, country to do it. those wish lists. There would be a dis- Mr. GRAMM, made a comment asking if The fact of the matter is we tried to cussion of the priorities, what is impor- anybody noticed whether or not the address this issue. Two weeks ago we tant to the workers, what is important Federal Government had shutdown. I tried to bring a compromise budget to to management. For the latter, it would take a moment of the House to the floor using the coalition budget might be the loosening up of work mention two people who I think did no- scored by the CBO which actually rules. For labor, it might be additional tice that the Federal Government had would add less debt to the Nation and benefits and an increase in wages. shutdown. One is Molly Scott, who less debt to my children and your chil- Unfortunately, this Congress-Presi- deals with the contractors at the veter- dren and our grandchildren than the dent negotiation has not been what ans hospital in Houston, who are not Republican budget, and you blocked it every labor-management negotiation getting paid. Nor is Ms. Scott getting just like you blocked the CR. in America is like. It has been one paid. In fact, her apartment house is Let us do our work. Let us put the side—the congressional leadership— about to start an eviction notice country back to work. Let us stop this coming to the table prepared to bar- against her, and her 9-year-old disabled childish behavior, just like Senator gain with a plan about which they are son can no longer go to day care be- DOLE has said in the Senate. willing to have an argument. But the cause she does not have any money to f other side—the President—has no plan. pay them. The other side has no real options, no But it turns out Mr. GRAMM also no- COME TO THE TABLE, MR. PRESI- real offering, to solve the problem. ticed, because 2 days ago his campaign DENT, AND BRING A BALANCED I think the American people, who are for the presidency was capable of pick- BUDGET WITH YOU disturbed by gridlock between the ex- ing up a check for $4 million from the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ecutive branch and the legislative Federal Elections Commission, which previous order of the House, the gen- branch, want to see their leaders sit is a so-called entitlement under the tleman from California [Mr. HORN] is down and work it out. Yet that is not law. So it appears that the absurdity of recognized for 5 minutes. happening, and it will not happen until how this Government is being run Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I do not the President comes to the table with a under the Republican leadership is one doubt that the American citizens are plan. where people who go out and work for very disturbed about what they see Unfortunately, on the President’s a living, who have a contract with the happening in Washington. They are side, some people are still saying, Government to work for them, do not probably wondering, when are the lead- ‘‘Well, why do we need a balanced January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 153 budget?’’ Well, we need a balanced 104th Congress, President Clinton and street from the Federal Building in budget because, as I said earlier, we congressional Democrats have defended New York City. His business over the have a $5 trillion national debt, and if ordinary Americans who rely on pro- Christmas season was down more than we do not zero out that annual deficit grams like Medicare, Medicaid, student 60 percent. Yet some Members of the in the next 7 years, we will add another loans, and student lunches. Repub- Republican majority have said that no $1 trillion to the national debt. The av- licans have sought to gut these pro- one has noticed the Government shut- erage child born today, as many have grams which help millions of people. down. To those right-wing extremists, said, already owes $187,000 in their life- So it should come as no surprise that all I can say is try telling that to the time to pay the interest on the debt. they seem indifferent to the plight of American people. This shutdown is That lifetime payment does not reduce millions of people, both clients and pure malicious insanity. the national debt! Government employees, who have suf- Mr. Speaker, the blackmail and ex- What does a balanced budget mean fered from the Government shutdown. tortion will not work. It is time for the for the average citizen? I spoke to several such people Mon- new majority to stop acting like gang- Let us look at a few items just as a day at the Federal Government head- sters and start acting like statesmen. Californian might look at them. The quarters in New York City. I met one f holder of the average California home of my constituents, Ms. Edio b 1830 mortgage, which, believe it or not, is Rodriquez, there. She is a single moth- about $176,000, would save almost $4,800 er trying to raise two children on her TELLING HORROR STORIES AND per year through lower mortgage inter- own. But this furloughed secretary at BLAMING REPUBLICANS WILL est payments, because a balanced budg- the Department of Environmental Pro- NOT SOLVE BUDGET PROBLEMS et by the Federal Government would tection has not been paid in several The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a give confidence to bondholders, to the weeks. In the Rodriquez household, it previous order of the House, the gen- stock market, and to other financial was anything but a merry Christmas. tleman from Michigan [Mr. EHLERS] is entities in our country. The only household income is earned recognized for 5 minutes. How about students? I happen to be a by one of her sons, who is also a college Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, this former university president. Student student. He may be forced to take next evening we are hearing a litany of com- loans are very important to provide semester off because he cannot pay his ments about various problems that educational opportunity for millions of student loans and support the family have arisen with the Government shut- Americans. A California student with at the same time. down. I am afraid the other side of the an average California loan, which is An employee of the Social Security aisle is trying to confuse the issue by roughly $4,300 repayable in 10 years, Administration put it beautifully when citing all these examples. would save $858 in interest payments she said, ‘‘I don’t know the politics of There is no question about it. The over the life of the loan. That is based the situation. They aren’t clear. The Government shutdown is causing prob- lems, but that is simply confusing the on U.S. Department of Education fig- humanity of the situation, or lack of issue, as I said. Talking about ad ures. it, is very clear. Working people should hominem stories, in other words Gov- A balanced budget for the Nation be paid, and people who have 23 years ernment by anecdote, does not really would result in almost 500,000 jobs of service should not be told to go solve the problem. Telling horror sto- being provided in California. The cost home and stay home against their will ries about some things that are not of borrowing by local governments and without a paycheck.’’ being done or services that are not would be reduced. The 12 largest The indifference of this new majority being provided does not solve the prob- cities—including my own city of Long toward Federal employees is so over- lem. Just standing there and blaming Beach—would save $1.38 billion which whelming that I may be wasting my the Republicans for the problem, does could be reinvested in these 12 cities breath by talking about the humanity not solve the problem. for schools, law enforcement, and pub- of the situation. But other Americans I think we have to go back and look lic health. In other words, the average are being affected, too. at the real issues involved here, and citizen would benefit. I met my constituent Laurine Fox, a the real issue is the incredible size of Mr. President, get your financial musician who was supposed to be the the national debt and the size of the plan—your budget—come to the table, guest conductor for an orchestra in budget deficit every year, and the and let us settle this dispute. Bulgaria over the holidays, but amount of money that we put into pay- f Laurine could not get a passport be- ing interest every year. cause politicians in Washington are Mr. Speaker, we have a national debt EFFECTS OF THE FEDERAL bickering. SHUTDOWN approaching $5 trillion. That calculates I met a woman whose elderly parents out to about $19,000 for every man, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a immigrated from Europe may years women and child in these United previous order of the House, the gentle- ago and now live in Georgia. They States. And when we consider the num- woman from New York [Mrs. MALONEY] made a pilgrimage to New York to see ber who are working and are able to is recognized for 5 minutes. their names inscribed on the wall at repay this debt, that balloons to ap- Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, the Ellis Island. But Ellis Island was proximately $30,000 per capita. shutdown of the Federal Government is closed, and their sentimental journey We pay interest at the rate of $1,000 a national disgrace. Yesterday the Sen- was ruined. per year on the national debt for every ate acknowledged that enough was It is not just individuals who are man, woman and child in the United enough, that the point had been made, being harmed. U.S. manufacturing States; $1,000 per capita. And, once that the issue of a 7-year balanced companies, the city of New York and again, if one translates that into the budget was being actively negotiated, the U.S. Government stand to lose mil- taxpaying citizens, on average each and that it was time to stop the wide- lions of dollars, because the shutdown taxpaying citizen is spending well over spread suffering caused by the Govern- is rendering ineffectual the first Hun- $1,500 or $1,600 just to pay the interest ment shutdown. garian Apparel and Textile Manufac- on the national debt each and every But the extremist right wing in the turing Seminar, which is scheduled to year. House seems to have so much contempt take place next Monday in New York. The budget deficits continue, which for the Government and such indiffer- The Hungarians cannot come because means the debt gets bigger every year ence to the pain the shutdown is caus- they cannot get visas. and the interest payments get bigger ing, that they will not listen to reason. Mr. Speaker, this is more than lost every year. We simply cannot continue. They think nothing of using the Fed- business opportunities; it is an inter- And that is a fact. That is the real eral Government as a tool of political national embarrassment. issue here. It is not the horror stories blackmail or extortion. Mr. Speaker, we can no longer ignore about the Government being shut Fortunately, President Clinton has the human beings who are suffering down, the issue is our national debt. protected his priorities and not caved from Washington paralysis, like the We have proposed, Mr. Speaker, that in to these gangster tactics. In the jeweler who works right across the we achieve a balanced budget in 7 years H 154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 using honest numbers. That is a very REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP ABDI- is seriously worried about adequate modest goal, but that is something CATING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES food until the next paycheck. And one that the Republicans have proposed, FOR GOVERNANCE employee told him about the fact that and that is something that the Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a she was unlikely to be able to come to gress has passed and sent to the Presi- previous order of the House, the gentle- work because she was having difficulty dent. woman from Ohio [Ms. KAPTUR] is rec- buying gas and she really did not have her full payment. In November, the President promised ognized for 5 minutes. that within 30 days he would present a Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, let me Before I recognize the esteemed balanced budget that met those cri- begin by saying that partisanship has member of the Committee on Veterans’ teria, balanced in 7 years using honest never been the major reason that I Affairs here, let me just say that the have been serving in this Congress, and numbers. December 15, when his pro- doctor told me that his staff is now so I think, over the years, I have tried posal was supposed to be unveiled, it demoralized, sufficiently distressed, very hard in my career to build bridges did not balance. it was out of balance and distracted that he has rec- across the aisle on all the committees ommended, as medical center director by a large amount, according to the I have served on and build bridges be- Congressional Budget Office, which in our region of the country, that they tween regions and representatives from are going to diminish medical services analyzes these things. different regions of the country. But as to our veterans, including cutting back In the meantime, the House and the I witness the current impasse, and have and stopping reconstructive vascular Senate passed the Balanced Budget Act never seen anything like it in my ca- surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, inter- of 1995. It passed on October 26. The reer, I would have to say that we have ventional cardiology, and other risky President vetoed it. I can understand a serious problem within the Repub- and stressful procedures, because he is his philosophical problems with some lican Party. worried about the people who support of the issues, but I do believe he has an This week we saw that the Senate, him in the operating rooms concentrat- obligation to negotiate seriously and which is in Republican control, pass a ing on the operations they are sup- to present to the negotiators his ver- bill to end the shutdown, this historic posed to be performing on our veterans. sion of a balanced budget. That has not shutdown of the Federal Government. He wrote me saying he hopes this is come forth even up to this point. As we have seen workers temporarily temporary and can we not do some- laid off, without checks, across this thing here in Washington so that he As a result, the Government has shut country, the House Republicans cannot down in an attempt to force the issue. can begin doing the job the taxpayers find it in either their management or expect him to do, and that is to operate It simply has not worked. He has still their personal skills to pass the bill not presented a balanced budget. I am on the veterans in our region who are that was passed in the Republican Sen- seeking medical care. reaching the conclusion that the Presi- ate. dent does not want to balance the So my question this afternoon, with Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman budget and he is not going to present all due respect, is what is wrong with from Mississippi [Mr. MONTGOMERY]. his version of a balanced budget. I be- the Republican leadership in this Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I lieve that is tragic given the enormity Chamber that is abdicating its respon- thank the gentlewoman for yielding to of the problem. He will not sign our sibilities for governance? I would say it me. What she said is exactly true, and balanced budget, he will not present is not only the budget that needs to be is happening in all our 171 veterans one of his own, what do we then do? balanced, but, I think, it is the Repub- hospitals across the country. We are really headed for a disaster unless we Now, Mr. Speaker, this is a very seri- lican leaders in this House that are out come up with something to pay these ous problem for this Nation, and it is a of balance, and it has gotten to the point where it is not just the Federal people, to pay our bills on surgical very serious problem for this Congress. equipment, medicines, and the things We are trying to address it, and per- workers that are being affected, but the taxpaying public of this country we have to use and do to be sure that haps we have to take another track if these veterans get the proper medical the President simply will not respond that is being denied services. Let me say in that regard, as some- care. and will not present a balanced budget one who has taken a lifelong career in- of his own. After all, the House is the It is a problem. I congratulate the terest in veterans affairs, that today I body that initiates the legislation deal- gentlewoman for pointing it out. We received a communication at my re- ing with appropriations. That is pre- have to do something. We have to pass quest from the Veterans Hospital in a continuing resolution to take care of scribed in the Constitution. my region of the country, which has ju- these veterans hospitals. If we do not, Perhaps what we have to do is risdiction over the Ann Arbor Medical we are not taking care of those that present to the President bite-sized Center, as well as the Toledo Veterans marched off and did a great job for our budgets. Maybe we should call them Outpatient Clinic in my own home dis- country and have served well. I appre- mini budgets, dealing with one issue at trict, and I asked the chief of medical ciate the gentlewoman’s yielding. a time and saying, Mr. President, this services there, Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, for a Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, reclaim- is all we can afford to spend on this report on what was happening in our ing my time, I would like to ask the particular item in this fiscal year and region of the country, and learned that distinguished gentleman from Mis- ask him to sign each of these, almost a the personal in that particular hos- sissippi, who has served in this Cham- line-item budget, if we like. And maybe pital, in our outpatient clinic as well, ber with honor for many, many years, if we put it in bite-sized chunks, he will received paychecks with less than half has he ever seen anything like this be- be able to understand the problem, we of their normal amount, as only time fore? will be able to deal with it, and we can worked before December 15 was cred- Mr. MONTGOMERY. Never in my 30 achieve a balanced budget in that fash- ited for pay. years. ion. In fact, in those checks deductions were taken out in full, and that ac- Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank In any event, we have to take an- counted for significantly less than half the gentleman for that. other approach, something that he will a paycheck in many instances. All I can say is that one quality understand given the fact that he sim- Dr. Jacobs indicated to me that this seems to be missing in this Chamber, ply will present a balanced budget to has caused very significant hardship and that is good measure, good meas- us and will not sign the one that we for people working in our clinic and ure, on the part of the Republican have prepared. hospital. For example, a clinical phar- Party. And if I could plead with the So I urge all of us to look at this macist, who is the sole supporter of Members who are here on the floor, afresh, and I especially urge the Presi- two young children, is already having please heal your wounds, take us away dent to work with us and negotiate in trouble meeting mortgage payments from this edge of brinkmanship. Pass good faith as we try to solve this enor- for that family. Another single mom in the bill that the Senate has sent over mous national problem. that hospital, with a 13-year-old child, here. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 155 TRIBUTE TO 100TH BIRTHDAY OF b 1845 hotel ballroom, was the opening ‘‘must go’’ SENATOR EVERETT DIRKSEN Mr. HORN. Just briefly, Mr. Speaker. event of the social season each year in Wash- ington, D.C., even before he became minority The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Senator Dirksen, without question, leader of the Senate and a national figure be- previous order of the House, the gen- was one of the great legislators of the yond the Beltway. Everybody who was any- tleman from Illinois [Mr. LAHOOD] is twentieth century. That is why his col- body, as the saying goes, attended from both recognized for 5 minutes. leagues in the Senate named one of the political parties and from the administration Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield to three buildings of the Senate after him. and the congress. the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. I spent a good part of 1965 in his back Those glittering parties were a long way KINGSTON]. office as assistant to the Republican from the neighborhood in Pekin known as Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I want- whip, Senator Thomas H. Kuchel, who ‘‘Beantown.’’ Yet, growing up in Beantown ed to respond quickly to my friend was his principal deputy, and there is may have been an important part of ‘‘Ev’’ Dirksen being the toast of the town in the from Ohio, and I think it is important no question the Voting Rights Act of that we recognize that, yes, it is true nation’s capitol. 1965 was completely drafted in Senator Actually, the residents, themselves named nothing like this debate has taken Dirksen’s back office by a joint biparti- it that—or rather in their own language, place, and yet if our Founding Fathers san team from the Johnson administra- ‘‘Bohnchefiddle.’’ They were German immi- were here today, they would say, wait tion, the Democratic majority leader, grants who didn’t indulge in euphemisms. a minute, let me get this straight, we the Republican whip and the Repub- They had a strong sense of reality. And the are almost $5 trillion in debt; we spend lican leader. reality was that rich folks had flower gar- $20 billion each month in interest on When we finished one day and his dens in their yards; immigrants grew beans. the debt; if a child is born today he or They were who they were, and saw nothing chief counsel announced to the Senator wrong with it. Beantown was just their she owes $187,000 as his or her portion we were done, he said, ‘‘Get me the of the interest just on the debt, above American starting place. President.’’ When his secretary did, he In fact, most residents in Pekin, and and beyond local, State and Federal said ‘‘Lyndon? Everett. You now have a taxes? I think our Founding Fathers millions more across America, gar- bill that you can send to the Congress dened would be shocked and appalled that we of the United States.’’ are even negotiating a 7-year balanced town lot was 50 feet front, 150 deep, and pro- That was the first major legislation vided space for people who didn’t own a budget and not an immediate balanced since before the Franklin D. Roosevelt horse and didn’t need a barn. There was budget. administration completely drafted in space for berry bushes along the lot line, This is a tremendous moment in his- the Senate. Senator Dirksen was also half a dozen fruit trees set wide apart, or- tory that we have got to address, and I the key person on the passage of the derly squares of garden vegetables, and a thank the gentleman for yielding me Civil Rights Act of 1964. Without Ever- grape arbor. this time. There was a lot more than beans, and it all ett Dirksen’s leadership, there would Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise required care. Many folks kept a small flock today, and I would have done this ear- have been no Civil Rights Act. We had of chickens by the back porch as well. At one lier had I not been in the Chair most of to break a southern Democratic fili- time, in fact, the Dirksens raised a pig. buster of 18 Senators, and it took 1 The bigger boys spaded the gardens and the day, to insert into the RECORD an year to do it and Dirksen’s leadership raked them smooth. Before he was old article that appeared in my hometown enough for school, the youngest son, Ev, newspaper, the Peoria Journal Star. is what got the job done. Earlier in the House, Dirksen proved could help punch holes in the prepared Today commemorates the 100th birth- himself to be a true legislative crafts- ground with the wooden split pegs used as day of one of the greatest leaders of the man. More than anyone else in the clothespins keeping a straight line along the U.S. Senate, Senator Everett Dirksen. board on which he knelt. I do not think it could be really more House, he was responsible for passing Keeping clothes as clean as possible was fitting for me to be inserting this arti- the only reorganization act in this cen- important when washing them was a major cle and commemorating the 100th tury pertaining to Congress. That was weekly chore. As the produce grew, ripening birthday of Senator Dirksen, because the Legislative Reorganization Act of in sequence, much of it had to be ‘‘put up’’ many people have used the quote that 1946. for the winter in fruit jars and glasses, So, it is correct that my friend from sealed with hot paraffin or special lids, after he said, ‘‘A million here, a million being well cooked. Cabbage was chopped and there. Pretty soon it adds up to real Illinois honors a great legislator and a great human being. salted and then pounded and pounded until it dollars.’’ This is what we have been was soaked in its own brine to be kept for Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, reclaim- talking about for so long around here, winter—sauerkraut. ing my time, I would also add, and I ap- the idea of a balanced budget. The Dirksen boys took part, and it was the Senator Dirksen lived in the district preciate very much the gentleman boys who peddled surplus vegetables door to that I represent, and at one time he from California [Mr. HORN] participat- door. The basics of life to the German fami- was the Congressman from the district ing in this commemoration of the 100th lies were food, clothes, shelter from the cold that I now represent. He hailed from birthday of Senator Everett Dirksen, and cleanliness. So, before he learned to read and write, Everett Dirksen became part of a Pekin, IL, and when he died in 1969 was who was, as I said, from Pekin, IL. I would also add that in the last family team, doing his share in providing the minority leader of the Senate; and, those basics, and grew up knowing from actually, prior to being elected to the 1960s, when Senator Dirksen was the minority leader in the U.S. Senate, whence came the necessities of life. Some- Senate, was the Congressman who be- body had to do the work to produce it. came ill, retired from the House, was that was the end of the decade when we Their father had a stroke in 1901 when Ev, cured of his illness, which was an eye had balanced budgets around here. the youngest, was only 5. By the time Ev was problem, and then returned as a U.S. Since that time we have had a very dif- 9, Dad was dead. The boys were raised by Senator, and had a distinguished career ficult time balancing our budget. As I their mother, and the team game of survival serving under President Johnson, who said, the quote that has been used so that they played put a solid foundation often I think really deserves to be at- under his whole life. was a very close friend of his. In those circumstances and in the absence Nobody knew more about trying to tributed to Senator Dirksen. I appre- ciate the opportunity to commemorate of radio, television, telephones or computers, balance budgets, working with Mem- he found school and learning downright fun. bers on both sides, trying to reach his 100th birthday today. Learning was an adventure and a kind of agreement and compromise than Sen- [From the Peoria Journal Star, Jan. 4, 1996] game. He loved reading. He loved to discover ator Dirksen, and I do want to insert DIRKSEN BROUGHT SENSE OF REALITY a new big word and roll it off his tongue. In this article in the RECORD. WHEREVER HE WENT books, he could explore the far reaches of Mr. Speaker, I also want to yield to One hundred years ago, fathers might have this world and of the world of ideas. my friend from California, who was ac- dreamed that a son born in a log cabin could Thus in his youth, and progressively there- tually a staffer in the Senate during become president. But no way could Johann after, Everett Dirksen combined those won- derful opposites, the contradictions of ideal- the time that Senator Dirksen was the Dirksen have imagined Jan. 4, 1896, that his baby boy’s birthday celebrations one day ist and a realist. It fit the Lincoln tradition minority leader, and I would ask if the would launch the social season in the na- of central Illinois. gentleman from California [Mr. HORN] tion’s capitol. With his older brothers grown and earning would have any comments with respect Yet, Sen. Everett McKinley Dirksen’s money, the family could let young Everett to Senator Dirksen. birthday bash, usually at the Mayflower go off to college. He worked nights while H 156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 schooling at the University of Minnesota, where he grew up, and where some of his nally had a tax cut of $305 billion. Now until World War I interrupted. local political foes were also lifelong per- we are talking about a tax cut of $245 Three years of ROTC there gave him a leg sonal friends. billion to the wealthy. Been there. up on a lieutenant’s bars. In France, he was When Everett Dirksen died, the President Done that. That is a mistake. an artilleryman. His job was to ride a wicker of the United States gave the eulogy—pro- basket under a rough, hydrogen-filled bal- claiming that Sen. Everett McKinley Dirk- No. 2, the rapid rise in the military loon, held by a cable and linked by a primi- sen had more impact on history than many budget during the Reagan era that tive telephone to the gun batteries, over- presidents. took us from $170-some-odd-billion looking the battlefield. There, he observed That he was, and he didn’t learn that in climbed up over $300 billion and leveled the fall of the artillery shells his battery Washington. That was the boy from out for the 10 years of the decade of the mates were firing and tell them how to ad- Bohnchefiddle. 1980’s. We find ourselves in the context just their fire to bring it on target. f Of course, such balloons like his were sit- of a post-cost war world where we ting ducks, even for the primitive planes of SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THE 7- ought to be downsizing the military the time. YEAR BALANCED BUDGET PLAN budget, but what does this budget do? When the war ended, the army found his It added $7 billion over and above the ability to speak German useful and kept him The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. President’s request, and it adds to the in Europe. He remained overseas for 18 BARTLETT of Maryland). Under a pre- military budget during a period when months in all, much of the time interpreting vious order of the House, the gen- for others or dealing directly with the local the United States and its allies out- tleman from California [Mr. DELLUMS] spend the rest of the world 4 to 1. It German population. He also knew Paris, Ber- is recognized for 5 minutes. lin, other German cities, and visited England seems to me that that is going in the and Ireland. In Rome, the ambassador asked Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I would wrong direction. him to join his staff, but Ev was homesick like to make a few observations. Obser- The third contributing factor to the for Pekin. vation No. 1 is that I believe that the deficit was the rapid rise in health care Thus, young Lt. Dirksen returned to Pekin struggle we are in is a very significant costs. But rather than us embrace a na- and Bohnchefiddle at age 24, with an extraor- and fundamental one. This is not a tes- dinary range of experiences. He was now a tional health care policy based upon tosterone test. It is not an ego test. It the principles of comprehensiveness college man, a combat veteran and an ex-of- is a fundamental struggle. ficer who had traveled, often in very sophis- and universality, what we see here is a ticated circles, in postwar Europe. Mr. Speaker, if you look at the 7-year challenge to Medicare, a challenge to Back home, he married a Pekin girl and balanced budget plan offered by my Medicaid, and no effort to bring this launched his remarkable political career as distinguished colleagues on the other country to the 21st century with a co- the youngest person ever elected to the side of the aisle, it contains three sig- herent, rational and comprehensive ap- Pekin City Council. nificant features. proach to national health care. As city councilman, he was a young man No. 1, they significantly change the dealing with a rapidly changing world. Finally, Mr. Speaker, a major con- Streets needed to be paved for the growing function, nature, and role of the Fed- tributing factor to the deficit is high number of those new motor cars. The fire de- eral Government in the lives of people unemployment. Depending upon which partment needed trucks to replace the horse- in this country. Nothing can be more economist we subscribe to, for each drawn rigs. The aging streetcar, one car run- fundamental than redefining the na- point we reduce the unemployment ning back and forth on a single track, needed ture and the role of the Federal Gov- rate, we reduce the budget deficit by replacement with bus service. ernment. I would argue that when we $25 to $55 billion each point we drop, Power plant were under construction put down the Articles of Confederation bringing electricity. The Edison resolution but rather than embrace a policy of was on, and radio was waiting in the wings. and moved to a constitutional govern- full employment, we embrace a policy These were not hypothetical or abstract ment, that brilliant minds thought of restricting employment, and I would problems to be solved abstractly for the that it was an important function, the suggest that jobs are not created in a young councilman. He was intimately in- role of the Federal Government in peo- vacuum, Mr. Speaker. volved with the reality of finance for tech- ple’s lives. To redefine that is very fun- A society generates employment to nology and the even tougher reality of the damental. the extent to which we are prepared to effects and demands new technology and dra- Second, my colleagues on the other matic change made on the city workers and come together to solve other social the public. side of the aisle want to significantly problems. We address the problems of When he grappled with these problems as a reduce the size of the Federal Govern- transportation in this country; you councilman, he also worked delivering his ment and, third, significantly reduce generate employment in the field of brothers’ bread to 50 small groceries scat- the revenues designed to carry out the transportation. We address the issue of tered about town. Everybody knew his route, business of Federal governance. education in this country; we generate and at many a stop he confronted people Nothing can be more fundamental employment. My point is that to the with problems to take to their councilman. than that struggle. The give and take Before he went to the national macrocosm, extent to which we are prepared to this man had a thorough and heavy dose of that is necessary to resolve those fun- spend resources to solve the social the microcosm. damental problems, in this gentleman’s problems of this country, we solve that Thus, the nature of the man was well- humble opinion, cannot be dealt with problem and we generate employment. founded long before he became one of that in the context of an artificial crisis The 7-year budget plan in my opinion city’s best-loved figures, before he crafted that wreaks havoc and brings pain and goes in the wrong direction. the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 and brought over creates peril in the lives of people who Mr. Speaker, I conclude by saying the votes to pass it with him, before he won offer the services and people who re- a Grammy for recording ‘‘Gallant Men,’’ be- the process is flawed. We have created fore he was the confidante of presidents both ceive the services of the Federal Gov- an incredible crisis here and, No. 2, on Republican and Democrat, and before he be- ernment. substance we are going down the wrong came a darling of the once-skeptical Wash- We ought to dignify the significance road that does not take us toward re- ington press corps. of this fundamental struggle by moving duction of the deficit. Ultimately, I He brought to Washington the prestige of beyond this crisis, and I would echo the think it is going to contribute to it. being the Congress’ best orator, a skill sentiments of many of my colleagues f founded and practiced in Pekin and which who suggested we ought to pass a con- largely won for him his original seat in the tinuing resolution, and yet with all due MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS TIME TO House of Representatives in the first place. BALANCE THE BUDGET He also brought the attention to detail, respect, I think my colleagues are the realism, of Bohnchefiddle, and was, un- going in the wrong direction. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a doubtedly, the most skilled parliamentarian The first factor that contributed to previous order of the House, the gen- in the Senate of his time. He knew how the the deficit was the $260 some odd bil- tleman from New Jersey [Mr. SAXTON] system worked in every detail, and he knew lion tax cut to the wealthy during the is recognized for 5 minutes. who was the person that counted, the person Reagan era. But rather than pass a Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I came to talk to, not only in the Senate, but in simplified progressive tax based on the down out of my apartment this morn- every department of the national adminis- tration. notion that the people most able to ing and picked up the Washington Post Finally, he made many friends and no en- pay, pay the most, what we see here is on the front porch and, as I looked emies in the best tradition of the small town a bill that passed the House that origi- through it, I turned finally to page A– January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 157 11 and in the Washington Post was this tween $400 and $600 a year. Take the every household beginning in 2002—money article. It says, ‘‘On Balance, Budget lower figure. Just take the $400. Then that could be used to reduce taxes or in- Deal Could Offer a $1,000 Bonus’’ to they say in addition to that, because crease the government services they receive. Balancing the budget also should generate each family in America. interest rates will be lower, our mort- extra economic growth from lower interest Then a few minutes ago, frankly, I gages, our mortgage payments will be rates and a higher national savings rate. had not read it, but a few minutes ago lower; our car payments will be lower; Even if the effect is just an additional 0.1 I heard the gentleman from Michigan our student loan payments will be percent in output each year, as the Congres- [Mr. EHLERS] talking about the effect lower. That would amount to, on aver- sional Budget Office predicts, it would boost of the balanced budget, the effect that age, another $100. national income by one percentage point by it would have on our families by reliev- So, if we add $500 in savings to $400 in the end of a decade—$400 for the average household. ing a payment that they would have to savings to another $100 in savings, in Additionally, the CBO calculates that bal- make to the Federal Government each addition to the check we would no ancing the budget will reduce prevailing in- and every year to pay the interest on longer have to write to the Federal terest rates by about 1.5 percent. Some of the national debt. Government of $1,100 or $1,200 a year, that reduction already is reflected in market I went back and read this and it says this article says that we would get an rates, but with average household indebted- something different, and I will tell my additional bonus of about, on average, ness now running around $45,000, including colleagues about it in a minute, but I $1,000 per family. mortgages, lower rates eventually could re- think it is very important to put this Mr. Speaker, this begins to make a duce interest payments by $675 a year per family. in the context of what the gentleman real difference to the middle-class fam- But not all of those savings will make was talking about. ilies that I represent. An additional their way to our bank accounts. That’s be- See, the national debt has risen to couple of thousand dollars of savings a cause the flip side of interest savings for bor- approximately $5 trillion. Now, that for year amounts to real money. It is our rowers is a corresponding reduction in inter- me and my colleagues, for me at least, job. This is what this debate has really est income for savers. Over the course of a that is an incomprehensible figure. I do been all about for all of these months lifetime savers and borrowers turn out to be not know, I cannot put $5 trillion into many of the same Americans. But even so, for the last year. We have been trying it’s pretty safe to figure about another $100 context. But when you look at it, as to arrive at a consensus between Re- annual bonus per family for balancing the the gentleman from Michigan was, publicans and Democrats as to how we budget. what he was saying is that if you take can balance the budget to save Amer- All told, it’s worth about $1,000 a year to the $5 trillion national debt and figure ican families these moneys. our children and grandchildren for us to cut out what each of our share of that is; in So, I commend this article to every- back on our consumption of government sub- other words, divide $5 trillion by 260 one’s reading. It is on page A–11 of to- sidies and services. ‘‘From an economic standpoint, everything else about this budg- million people which represents the day’s Washington Post written by Ste- et debate is insignificant,’’ says William number of people that live in our coun- ven Pearlstein and it is news analysis. Niskanen, President Reagan’s economic ad- try, we find out that each of our share I think it is very accurate and I think viser and now chairman of the Cato Insti- of the national debt is about $18,000. it is something that we should be able tute. Now, to bring that just a little closer to relate to on an individual basis, But while the future payoff is fairly clear, to home, we can all relate to this. If we dealing with the national debt, how it the process of getting there is not without went down to the bank, if we went to affects each and every one of the fami- pain. Nobody has yet invented a way to suck a trillion dollars out of the economy over our hometown bank and we said ‘‘I lies that I represent and that my col- seven years without anyone noticing. Indeed, need for some purpose to borrow leagues represent. some economists predict if spending is cut $18,000,’’ the banker would say, fill out So, Mr. Speaker, let us proceed to- too fast, it could tip the economy into reces- the application, and we need to make gether. We have bickered long enough sion. you aware, because the State and Fed- about this subject. It is too important. Even if the economy can withstand the eral laws provide that we disclose to The President knows it. He has com- shock of sharply reduced government spend- you, that it is going to cost you an an- mitted to balancing the budget in 7 ing, there are two groups of people for whom this budget debate has serious consequences: nual sum, an interest payment. And if years using what we here in Washing- the poor and the elderly. on your $18,000 we charge you 7 percent ton call real numbers, what my con- The big nut to be cracked is health care interest, 7 percent of 18,000, if I am stituents call numbers without smoke costs, which effectively represent half of the doing my math right, is close to $1,200 and mirrors, and we have also agreed policy dispute between the president and the a year. to that on, I think, both sides of the Republican Congress. What they’re really Mr. Speaker, what that means is that aisle. wrestling with is how to ration medical care for each of our individual shares of the Mr. Speaker, let us proceed to do it for the 60 million Americans who rely on government to pay for it. national debt, which is $18,000, just like so that American families can actually Although rationing is a dirty work in poli- we would have to pay the bank inter- realize the bonus that is pointed out in tics, it goes on every day all over the United est, we have to pay our share of the in- this article. States, where more than half the working terest on the national debt. So, when Mr. Speaker, I submit the following population is now enrolled in some form of we make out our income tax checks on newspaper article for the RECORD: managed health care plan. April 15 of each year, somewhere be- [From the Washington Post, Jan. 4, 1996] The key feature of these plans is that a group of doctors and hospitals agrees to pro- tween $1,100 and $1,200, which the gen- ON BALANCE, BUDGET DEAL COULD OFFER A vide all medically necessary services for a tleman from Michigan pointed out cor- $1,000 BONUS fixed fee per person per year. This fixed-fee rectly, goes out of each of our pockets (By Steven Pearlstein) concept has helped slow the medical infla- to pay the interest on this debt that we With the budget crisis slowly suffocating tion rate to its present 4 percent. But the have further accumulated. Washington and mystifying the rest of the government’s two big health care programs, On to this article, ‘‘On Balance, the country, it may be easy to overlook the pay- Medicare and Medicaid, continue to operate Budget Deal Could Offer a $1,000 off if President Clinton and leaders of the largely on the blank check philosophy of Bonus.’’ This is alluding to the fact Republican Congress agree on a plan that health insurance, giving the poor and elderly that there are other savings which balances the budget. free reign to consume whatever health serv- The benefits could total roughly $1,000 a ices they think they need and reimbursing families will be able to reap. For exam- year for every American family, according to doctors and hospitals according to a fee ple, because of lower national debt, economists and budget analysts. schedule. each family will save an average of $500 The math goes something like this: Bal- Both Clinton and Congress have effectively a year by the year 2002. ancing the budget stems the flow of income embraced the idea of extending the managed- In addition to that, because interest that now runs from future generations to our care concept to Medicare and Medicaid. rates will drop according to most own. What the fuss is all about is how—and how economists by about 2 percent, accord- At today’s interest rates, the $1 trillion in fast. government debt that would be avoided by The other big sticking point concerns the ing to most estimates, that the econ- gradually eliminating the deficit over the rest of the government’s social safety net. omy will begin to grow, and economists next seven years would save taxpayers $60 While just about everyone concedes that wel- project that additional income will be billion in interest payments every year. That fare programs have largely failed to end pov- earned by families of somewhere be- works out to an average of $500 a year for erty, few can point to alternative programs H 158 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 that work much better. Any reform, then, is mands. It is in fact the shutdown of the Folks, that comes to about 4 percent something of a leap into the unknown, and Gingrich Republicans, because they of the population. So it breaks down at the heart of the budget battle is the ques- have the power by virtue of being in like this: 4 percent of the population is tion of exactly how big a leap to take. It was candidate Clinton who first prom- the majority and by virtue of having going to get half of the tax breaks in ised to end welfare as we know it, and now the votes to pass a clean continuing their so-called balanced budget, which the Republican Congress has gone him one resolution which could put Govern- amounts to about $100 billion. That is better. Its proposal would fold welfare, food ment employees back to work. Let not fair. stamps and a panoply of other federal pro- there be no mistake. This is a Gingrich On the other side of the coin, they grams into one, consolidated grant to be sent Republican shutdown. want to take $270 billion out of Medi- off to each statehouse. The Republican plan Mr. Speaker, the second spin we hear care, the program for the seniors, and is exquisitely precise on how and when wel- is in reality it is just bickering and about $160 billion out of Medicaid, the fare mothers will be forced off the dole, but program for the poor and the disabled. considerably more vague on exactly how really both sides are at fault. That is these people will find jobs or how they will not true. We have 198 votes to put Fed- Let us think about it. If we did not pay for day care and health care even if they eral employees back to work, to pay have to give the big tax break to the do. contractors for work that they do for wealthy 4 percent, we would have to ‘‘What concerns me in all this is the treat- our country. But it is not just Demo- take a lot less money out of the pock- ment of the poor,’’ says Charles Schultze of crats. In the Senate, Mr. DOLE says ets of the seniors and the poor and the the Brookings Institution, the top economic enough is enough. So, on the Senate disabled. adviser to President Carter. ‘‘For them this side both Democrats and Republicans That is the meat of this debate, and represents a terribly risky roll of the dice— one that I think is likely to come out are willing to put Federal workers this is why the President says their wrong.’’ back to work, and House Democrats budget is unacceptable. If they would It is not only economists with Democratic are ready to put Federal employees give up some of the tax breaks, we leanings who worry about the budgetary im- back to work. could have a balanced budget. There pact on the poor. Listen to Herbert Stein, an It seems to me it is clear that this is are many of us on this side of the aisle analyst at the American Enterprise Institute not a matter of more partisan bicker- who want a balanced budget in 7 years and an economic adviser to President Nixon: ing. using the so-called real numbers. We ‘‘If you cut Medicaid and welfare and food stamps, will these people descend into mis- b 1900 can do that. We do not need to shut ery or straighten up, fly right, get a job and down the Government and we do not wind up with an apartment on Park Avenue? So what is it? It is an attempt by a need to give a big tax break to the Frankly, I think it’s a risky strategy for the few self-styled Republican revolution- wealthy. very poorest people. I think many won’t be ary hard-liners and extremists to dic- Who is being cheated in all this? The able to adjust successfully.’’ tate the terms of the budget debate. taxpayer. Remember, these are not But if doing something is risky, so is doing They are essentially saying, ‘‘If the President Clinton’s employees, these nothing. Even the supposedly harsh meas- President does not accept our budget are not the Democrats’ employees. ures proposed by the Republicans will keep terms, then we will keep the Govern- There are our employees, they are the the federal budget in balance only for the ment shut with all the attendant first decade or so of the 21st century. After taxpayers’ employees, and quite frank- that, demographic forces will once again harms that go along with that.’’ ly these people are not at work, they overwhelm the Treasury as the giant baby Let me digress for a minute, because are not doing the taxpayers’ business. boom generation moves into its retirement one of these revolutionaries got on the They are not providing Federal home years, expecting the same level of pensions floor and talked about, ‘‘Well, gee, it is loan assistance; 2,500 applications are and health care as the generation that pre- not a problem because the banks are not being processed. They are not pro- ceded it. Without further increases in taxes going to provide emergency mortgage viding renewals of vouchers for mod- or reductions in Social Security and Medi- relief.’’ erately priced homes. care benefits, the government is now pro- No. 1, that acknowledges that there jected to once again find itself drowning in They are not providing services to red ink. is in fact an emergency but, No. 2, that small businesses. Two hundred and ‘‘Even if we can balance the budget in the is not what banks are for. In this coun- sixty small business applications a day next few years, it is really only the first try banks are supposed to enhance our are not being processed through the step,’’ warns Stanford University’s Michael economic vitality. The money they are SBA. Ninety small businesses a day are Boskin, top economist in the Bush White giving out to Federal employees be- not being able to bid for contracts be- House. ‘‘What lies beyond the year 2002 sim- cause of their emergency could more cause of this Government shutdown. ply dwarfs what we are dealing with here.’’ better be spent expanding our econ- Put another way, if you think this budget And on and on its goes. battle is tough, wait till next time. omy, providing small business loans, or Ladies and gentlemen, the balanced f helping new home buyers, instead of budget is a real issue, but the Govern- bailing out people that the Republican ment shutdown is a false issue created COUNTERING THE REPUBLICAN hard-liners put in trouble. by so-called revolutionaries who some- SPIN ON THE FEDERAL GOVERN- But let us go to the meat of the issue, how believe that the ends justify the MENT SHUTDOWN the balanced budget. Again, the Repub- means, and they do not care who is The Speaker pro tempore. Under a lican revolutionaries get on the floor harmed in the process. previous order of the House, the gen- and say, ‘‘This sacrifice is worth it, be- f tleman from Maryland [Mr. WYNN] is cause ultimately we are going to fun- recognized for 5 minutes. damentally change the way business is REPUBLICANS WANT A BALANCED Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, today is day done in this country.’’ That is right. BUDGET 20 of the Government shutdown and the More for the wealthy, less for the sen- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. spin coming from the Republican side iors, less for the poor, less for children. BARTLETT of Maryland). Under a pre- goes something like this: Well, you The specifics of the budget break vious order of the House, the gentle- know, it is not really our shutdown. It down this way, and this is why the woman from Wyoming [Mrs. CUBIN] is is President Clinton’s shutdown. President does not like it and I do not recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very like it, either. They want to give $245 Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, the gen- clear to the American people that billion of tax breaks to the wealthy. tleman from Maryland who just pre- nothing could be further from the They say, ‘‘Oh, no, that’s not true, we ceded me said that this impasse has oc- truth. The President does not have the just want to send money back home to curred because of the Republican power to end this shutdown. He can the people.’’ Party, the majority in Congress, wants take no unilateral action, because if he Well, here are the facts. According to to give tax breaks to the wealthy. That could, he would. But he can take no the Treasury Department, half of the is simply not the truth. unilateral action that will end this $245 billion would go to people making The truth is this impasse has oc- shutdown. It is not his shutdown. over $100,000 a year. So some $120 bil- curred because the majority of this The only way he can shut it down is lion plus is going to people making Congress, both the House and the Sen- toe acquiesce to the Republicans’ de- over $100,000 a year. ate, want a balanced budget in 7 years. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 159 The President signed Public Law 104– We have to face that, and we have to try to make it operate, like the private 56, and I would like to read that. get the President to tell the truth industry operates. It says, ‘‘The President and the Con- about what his intentions are. At least Well, I do not know of any private in- gress shall enact legislation in the first he has to put something on the table so dustry that can tell me how much in- session of the 104th Congress to achieve that we will have a point to negotiate come they are going to have 7 years a balanced budget not later than the from. from now. I do not know of any private fiscal year 2002 as estimated by the I urge all Members to continue on in- industry that itemizes the expendi- Congressional Budget Office.’’ sisting on a balanced budget and, re- tures that they will make 7 years from The fact is the President does not member, everything else is up for nego- now. I do not know of any individual, want a balanced budget. The Presi- tiation once the President will give us either in this House or outside this dent’s extremist liberal agenda and the a balanced budget to work from. House, who can tell me how much in- extremist liberal agenda of Democrats f come they will have, CBO numbers or on this side of the aisle simply cannot otherwise, 7 years from now. go forward with a balanced budget, be- BUDGET DISPUTE IS INSANITY b cause their agenda costs more than the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a 1915 money that we have coming into the previous order of the House, the gen- I do not know of any individual ei- Congress. tleman from North Carolina [Mr. ther in this House or outside this That would leave us with two alter- WATT] is recognized for 5 minutes. House that can itemize for me what ex- natives. We would have to increase Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. penditures they will make 7 years from taxes to support that agenda that the Speaker, I had made some effort to now. So we have got this kind of sim- President insists upon, and continue to stay out of this dispute to the extent ple-minded ‘‘there is something magic go deeper and deeper into debt, thus that I could in terms of the debate, but about 7 years’’ that my colleagues can- mortgaging our children’s future, sell- several of my constituents have called not live up to, and they have boxed ing our children out. We have all heard and expressed severe concern about the themselves in and they are holding the the saying, ‘‘Fool me once, shame on direction that we are headed and con- American public hostage to their sim- you. Fool me twice, shame on me.’’ cern that I had not been as vocal on ple-mindedness. The President has introduced four this issue as they expected me to be as So I want to call on my colleagues, in budgets. None of them have been bal- their Representative. conclusion, Mr. Speaker, to, please, anced. The most nearly balanced was The people who called me are real come to your senses. This makes no $87 billion in the red. Two of those un- citizens of this country. They are con- sense. Let us open the Government. balanced budgets came after he signed stituents of mine in my congressional Let us keep negotiating about these into law that he would balance the district. They are a Federal prison budget issues and get them resolved budget. His actions show that he is not guard who is continuing to work be- and do what the American people sent a man that can be taken at his word. cause he has a critical position in the us here to do. Character counts. When you say some- prison system, and despite the fact f thing, and then go on and sign into law that he continues to work, he is not IT IS TIME TO STOP POLITICAL something that you say you will do and now being paid on a timely basis. Al- RHETORIC AND ACCEPT COM- then act in bad faith in these negotia- though he acknowledges that he may MON-SENSE REFORM tions by refusing any attempt to reach be paid in the future, he asked me, a compromise, then that is character. ‘‘What should I tell my creditors in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a We are described, all of the Repub- meantime?’’ And I had no answer for previous order of the House, the gen- lican freshman, as extremist radicals. tleman from Georgia [Mr. COLLINS] is The fact is all we are asking for is a him. They are VA hospital employees who recognized for 5 minutes. balanced budget in 7 years based on care for our veterans, and live in my Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak- CBO numbers. That is all we are asking er, in 1993, President Clinton and the for. That is why that impasse is here. congressional district and work at a VA hospital located in my congres- Democrat-controlled 103d Congress That is why the Government is not thought they could reduce or end the open. Everything else is open for nego- sional district, who continue to provide services to their patients at veterans Government’s deficit by passage of the tiation. Everything. The level of tax President’s budget bill. That bill dra- cuts is open. Medicare is open. Welfare hospitals but are not currently being matically increased taxes on working reform. Everything is open for negotia- paid. Americans, but it will not end the defi- tion. The only thing where we will not They are people who had a real estate cit or balance the budget. compromise is on balancing the budget, closing scheduled to close so that they President Clinton was wrong. He has because we are committed to the fu- could avoid a foreclosure on their even admitted publicly he was wrong ture of this country. We are committed house, and when they got ready to to have raised taxes. But his actions to our children and our grandchildren, close, they were advised that the FHA have not matched his words. President and we want them to be able to have at had closed its doors and they could not Clinton vetoed the congressionally least as good a life as we have had. close their loan. The President said he vetoed our ap- They are people who had sought to go passed Balanced Budget Act of 1995. propriations bill because we cut Medi- to England for a special training pro- The Balanced Budget Act of 1995 would care too much. Let me take you back gram, who were advised that they have balanced the Federal budget in 7 in history about 18 months ago when could not be issued a passport for this years while reducing taxes on working Hillary Clinton was proposing health once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Americans. The bill would have saved care reform. they had been provided. Medicare from bankruptcy and pre- What was stated between Hillary I had no answers for them, because I served this vital health care program Clinton and the President at that time have thought that all along this dis- for our nation’s senior citizens, and the was, ‘‘My opponents will say that I am pute is absolutely insane. There is lit- bill would have reformed the welfare cutting Medicare, but that’s not true. tle if any connection between the con- system that has created a generation All we want to do is to slow the growth tinuing operation of the Federal Gov- of Americans trapped in poverty and in Medicare from 11 percent to between ernment and the resolution of the larg- dependent on Government handouts. 6 and 7 percent.’’ er budget issue that we face. President Clinton also vetoed several That is what Bill Clinton and Hillary Notwithstanding that, my Repub- appropriation bills, including the De- Clinton said 18 months ago. Our pro- lican colleagues have succeeded in, as partments of Justice, State, and Com- posal is higher and spends more money they always do, reducing this major merce, and others. The President on Medicare than their proposal said dispute to a one-sentence simple-mind- closed the doors of many Federal Agen- only 18 months ago. ed kind of expression—‘‘Let’s have a 7- cies and Departments. The President This is a transparent excuse to have year balanced budget.’’ has idled thousands of Federal workers, vetoed the bill. This is pure and simple Well, they told us that they were and the President has inconvenienced not wanting to balance the budget. going to operate our Government, or millions of Americans who are trying H 160 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 to secure home mortgage loans, pass- The American people are not fooled I just got a fax from a constituent, ports, financial aid and other impor- by the press conferences and political Gregory Inch, from Hollywood, FL, and tant Government services. rhetoric being put forth by the Presi- I will read part of it or just summarize Mr. Speaker, it is time for the Presi- dent. Every day that this impasse con- part of the letter. He is a double ampu- dent to go beyond just an admission he tinues, the public becomes more angry tee, a veteran. Let me read a little: was wrong. It is time for the President at the President and the Congress. In February of 1994, I was involved in an to stop the political rhetoric and ac- In December, the public was leaning accident that resulted in amputation of both cept common sense reform. towards placing blame at the feet of my legs above the knee. It took me and my Mr. Speaker, there is an old saying Congress. Now, however, the American family some time to get through the initial shock. One year later, after a lot of soul- that goes like this: ‘‘A wise man will people are dividing the blame between searching, I got in touch with an organiza- change his mind, but a fool never the President and the Congress. tion that enabled me to attend college, the does.’’ In the current debate, it re- Mr. Speaker, often political leaders department of vocational rehabilitation. mains to be seen who will or will not will govern by poll numbers. The Presi- This organization helped me get back on my change their mind. dent peaked and missed his highwater feet. I started Broward Community College The President and the 103d Congress mark in the polls by 3 days. With the with hopes of receiving a preengineering de- passed a budget bill that raised taxes President’s failure to agree on a bal- gree so I could transfer to Florida Inter- national University and receive my BA. On on working Americans in an effort to anced budget concept that we as a Con- January 3, 1996, I went through the normal lower the deficit and balance the budg- gress could have voted on this past channels in order to continue my education, et. It did not work. That can be seen in Wednesday, it is now apparent to the only to be informed that the Government the fact that today we are spending public that the President is not sincere shutdown caused the funding of the Depart- $500 million-a-day more than we take about balancing the budget. ment of Vocational Rehabilitation to stop, a in in taxes and revenues. Yet the Presi- This is not a situation where the shock to me and my family that almost dent has refused to change his mind equaled my disabling accident. Especially President is winning or losing some po- shocked was my wife, who has been working and consider a new course, a course litical game. There are no points to be two jobs to pay necessary household bills that will provide a balanced budget by scored here. From now on, everybody while still in college. I am a registered Re- the year 2002. loses. publican, age 27, married, a veteran, one The President and the 103d Congress Mr. Speaker, I say again, it is time child, who is having second thoughts on the initiated the COPS Program. The for the President to stop the political way the government is handling the respon- President’s program promised to lower rhetoric and accept commonsense re- sibility to society at large. crime rates and make our streets safer form. I could not say it better than he did. by providing Federal funds to State f Let me also mention another thing, a and local governments to hire 100,000 fax I got in today from my district more police officers. Two years later, THE EFFECTS OF FURLOUGHING also. I have two ports in my district. less than a third of the new police offi- GOVERNMENT WORKERS The Consumer Product Safety Commis- cers promised by the President are on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a sion employees who are at those ports our Nation’s streets, and when the Fed- previous order of the House, the gen- to basically do inspections are not eral funds run out, the State and local tleman from Florida [Mr. DEUTSCH] is there, so when crayons are coming in governments will have to foot the bill recognized for 5 minutes. from China into Port Everglades in for these new officers. The President’s Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, when Broward County or Port Miami in plan is costly. It is another unfunded my Republican colleagues took over Miami are not inspected, the lead con- tent is coming in without inspection. Federal mandate forced on the backs of the majority of this Chamber, they de- We are going to read about the disas- States and local governments. This, clared that they were going to run Con- gress like a business. Now, let us just ters that occur at a future time. too, is clearly a failed policy, and again I got a call today from the warden of think about that for a second. If we had the President has refused to change his a Federal correctional institution in a business where the CEO of that busi- mind and consider a new course. my district, and the workers, the pris- Republicans in the Congress passed ness and the board of directors had a on guards at that facility, are working, an appropriations bill for the Depart- disagreement and then what they de- about 300 guards at that prison. They ment of Justice. That bill provided cided to do was to furlough the workers are working but not getting paid, and and pay them, all right, think about some $2 billion in trust fund money for you can imagine the morale situation State and local law enforcement block that. in a prison, a correctional institution There is no business in this country grants. Those funds would have been where the guards are not getting paid, where there would be a disagreement used to employ additional law enforce- but in fact the prisoners are because ment officers; those funds would have between the CEO and the board of di- the prison work program is getting provided additional compensation, rectors and they would furlough the paid. It is an unstable equilibrium. equipment, or other necessary mate- workers and then pay them. And if you Twenty thousand visas are given to rials related to basic law enforcement think about this for a second, if it was come to the United States a day in our services. Those funds would have en- a publicly traded company and they de- foreign embassies. They have not been hanced security measures in and cided to do that, what would happen in given out for the last 20 days; 400,000 around our schools, and those funds the market the next day? The value of visas. would have established that company would be destroyed. Now, I am glad that my colleague multijurisdictional task forces, par- Well, that is where we are right now. from Florida is standing because it af- ticularly in rural areas that work with That is what has happened, and what fects his district as much as it affects Federal officials for crime prevention has happened is totally indefensible. mine. We have the good fortune of liv- and control. I spent almost 3 hours on the floor ing in south Florida, where people from Mr. Speaker, in short, that bill would yesterday evening, really involved in a around the country and around the have done what the President’s bill dialog and debate with my Republican world visit. Every one of those people failed to do. The bill would have re- colleagues, and after 3 hours I still did who is not getting a visa is dollars lost turned money and decisionmaking to not get an articulate answer, because to our communities. The actual out-of- local police departments. The bill there really is not. I mean, it is as pocket payment that we are losing is would have allowed them to make deci- crazy as it seems to people out there in over $40 million a day of taxpayers’ sions on how to reduce crime in their America. It is as whacked out as it money of out-of-pocket costs for tax- communities, but again the President seems. There is no explanation. They payers of this country. Over the 20-day has refused to change his mind over a can try to come up with an expla- period, close to a billion dollars has failed policy. He vetoed that bill. nation. There is no explanation, except been lost by taxpayers in this country. There is another old saying that you for irresponsibility, for what is going In the previous shutdown, about $750 can fool some of the people some of the on. And we are starting to see real peo- million of outright waste, garbage, a time but you cannot fool all of the peo- ple and real just outrage at some of the multiplier effect of 4 or 5 times that ef- ple all of the time. things. fect has cost our economy. It really is January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 161 time for us to act like adults. Adults b 1930 ‘‘Ten Cannots,’’ originally attributed can disagree on issues and yet they can Let me just read a couple of letters I to Lincoln but which were done by Rev. still have discussions. have got from people around the coun- William Boetcker, a Presbyterian min- I hope my Republican colleagues join try. ister. what everyone in this country out James Lister, from Simpsonville, SC, You cannot bring about prosperity by dis- there in America wants us to do, which writes: couraging thrift. is to pass a CR and get the Government You cannot help small men by tearing DEAR MR. FOLEY, It is amazing what a few moving again. down big men. courageous men and women with a dedicated You cannot strengthen the weak by weak- leader can accomplish. There are literally ening the strong. f millions and millions of Americans who are You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling standing with you and what you are doing to down the wage payer. REOPENING THE GOVERNMENT cut the size of government and bring the You cannot help the poor man by destroy- spending down. ing the rich. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a The media is pouring on its worst. We You cannot keep out of trouble by spend- previous order of the House, the gen- know it is because you are effective. ing more than your income. tleman from Florida [Mr. FOLEY] is For our sake, don’t stop talking, don’t You cannot further the brotherhood of recognized for 5 minutes. cave in and don’t let up the pressure on for man by inciting class hatred. a real balanced budget. You cannot establish security on borrowed Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I, too, Our warmest wishes for you and your fam- money. want to get this Government back ily for a joyous Christmas and a prosperous You cannot build character and courage by working. You know, we have a lot of New Year! taking away men’s initiative and independ- debate and a lot of rhetoric up here ence. Margaret Hurt, from California, You cannot help men permanently by about a balanced budget. Yes, that, in- writes: deed, is one of my most important doing for them what they could and should The freshman class are the best thing that do for themselves. goals as a Member of the 104th Con- has come to D.C. in a long time. f gress, to get a balanced budget, but I With you guys and Newt and Rush do not take any pride in doing it when Limbaugh I feel that the good old U.S.A. is EXTREMISTS ARE DRIVING THE we are talking about workers who getting a real break. AGENDA IN THE HOUSE work for this Government, who come Hang in there. With your enthusiasm and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. diligence coupled with an openness to the to work to serve our veterans, who BARTLETT of Maryland). Under a pre- come to work to serve every average truth, we are going to be all right! I watched you tonight in C–SPAN, Dec. 19, vious order of the House, the gen- American in this country, and some and just love all of you. Keep in touch with tleman from New York [Mr. ENGEL] is Members of Congress act as if their the ‘‘people’’! We love it! recognized for 5 minutes. jobs do not matter, as if they should Tell Newt we love him, and pass the card Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I have a not be paid, and we will keep this thing around, please. chart over here dated December 29, shut down until we get the President to Donald Boelter; from Burbank, CA, 1995, ‘‘Pay to the Order of Federal Em- blink. writes: ployee.’’ A Federal employee in my dis- Ladies and gentlemen, we know the DEAR CONGRESSMAN FOLEY: It was very en- trict who works at the Bronx Veterans President has had a chance to produce couraging to watch on C–SPAN the group of Administration Medical Center in my a budget for us that shows deficits Freshmen express their views on how best to district received a paycheck for $1.51 from 1996 of $196 to $209 billion in the bring government back to the people. for her 40 hours of work. $1.51. All the year 2005. That is Congressional Budget To once again give the people the right to decide how their money is spent, how their deductions were taken out, but her full Office numbers that suggest we will lives will be regulated and the return of re- salary was not there because of the never get to under the prior 10-year sponsibility into their lives. Government shutdown. budget plan for deficit reduction during As a young 71 year old, I saw in the gath- Let me tell you what $1.51 can buy the Clinton presidency or anyone who ered faces the same eagerness and resolve to you in New York City, in Bronx, New follows. face the problems that confront America York, where I live. It can buy you a The bottom line is: Why are we hold- today as in the resolve of American troops subway token. That costs $1.50. That ing employees hostage of Government? during the days of Bastogne. can get you to work, and then you have There are people that have mortgage Your’s is no less a battle. Ever greater than that of 51 years ago and consequences a whole penny left over to spend as you payments to pay, there are people that to our beloved Nation immense. see fit. This is the result of the House have to feet their families. So I think On this Christmas eve I give thanks for all Republican Government shutdown. It it is appropriate that, as we are stand- of the Freshman class and their efforts to is signed ‘‘U.S. House of Representa- ing on this floor tonight, Members of bring back common sense to our Govern- tives Extremists,’’ because that is what the Republican Conference are coming ment. is happening. Extremists are driving up with a strategy hopefully to reopen God Bless You and Yours. the agenda. And it is for ‘‘Don’t spend and put those people back to work. Rick Schendel, from Michigan it all in one place.’’ I have a veterans’ hospital in my lo- writes: What is happening in our country cation, and that veterans’ hospital has MR. MARK FOLEY, I am a voter from today, Mr. Speaker, is a disgrace and a people that have served this Nation in Macomb county in southeast Michigan and I sham. Make no mistake about it. The times of peace and in times of war that writing to thank you for keeping up the Republicans have shut the Government are desperately needing medical atten- fight for fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately down. The House Republicans have tion. Those very fine people that work my Representative is Minority Whip and the chances of him being in favor of a balanced shut the Government down. The House at that facility deserve pay. budget are nil. This letter might not mean Republican leadership has shut the But the overriding, most important much but I thought you should know than Government down by not permitting a issue that remains with this Member of there are a lot of people out here that agree vote on this floor to open the Govern- Congress is that the President does with your ideas. No one wants to hurt the el- ment. genuinely come forward with a pro- derly or throw people out on the streets, but We tried yesterday. We could not get posal to balance the budget. We can a seven year plan to balance the budget it on the floor, and we were ruled out disagree on spending. I am for getting should be relatively easy and painless to of order. So if we are so concerned rid of the B–2 bomber. I am for doing achieve. We are counting on you and your about the veterans and we are so con- colleagues to take charge of this fight. Get some things differently in this Con- us a good, fair plan with teeth in it so three cerned about the seniors and we are so gress and not spending money on pork or four years from now we aren’t faced with concerned about the American public and waste. I will put more money to another budget crisis. Again, I would like to that is not getting its benefits, we have Medicare to help our senior citizens. thank you for your efforts on behalf of our the ability to open the Government by But we have got to develop a strat- generation and future generations. Keep up passing a clean continuing resolution. egy that balances the budget, and we the good work. That is what are have to do. They did cannot talk in fiction and we have got Those are letters from around the it in the other House. Both Repub- to deal with reality. country. Let me read to you one thing, licans and Democrats did it in the H 162 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 other House. But the House Repub- So make no mistake about it, this is velopment at the American College in licans here will not allow it to come to not about a balanced budget. This is Bryn Mawr, PA; Director for the Cen- the floor. about shutting the Government down. tennial Campaign at Bryn Mawr Col- That would open the Government im- I say to my Republican colleagues, lege. She worked with her husband in mediately. This is what has always please join us in voting for a clean con- partnership for education, to make been done in the past when there has tinuing resolution to open the Govern- sure our country was stronger and been a dispute between the President ment once again while negotiations are higher education was supported. and the Congress. Both Houses pass a going on. The only people who are suf- She was also Director of the Kath- continuing resolution to keep the Gov- fering are the American people, and erine Gibbs School in Philadelphia, and ernment open while negotiations are they ought not to suffer anymore. Director of International Seminars at going on. It has always been done. f the University of Pennsylvania, work- We have had a series of Republican ing in seminars for business executives, PRESIDENT RESPONSIBLE FOR Presidents and Democratic Congresses. where programs involved the Japanese GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN This has never been done for so long a economy, the Chinese economy, and period of time, because a continuing The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a American business. Moreover, she was resolution was passed. This is part of a previous order of the House, the gen- reaching out to students in internship calculated strategy to try to bring the tleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. FOX] is programs and business. President to his knees and to bring the recognized for 5 minutes. Clare Lindgren Wofford was as well a country to its knees so that they can Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speak- former director of the Washington push through their radical, extreme er, I appreciate the opportunity to ad- Council of the African-American Insti- agenda. dress my colleagues tonight on some tute and previously a political analyst What is this radical, extreme agenda? important issues. First, I would want with the U.S. Department of State, and It is slashing Medicaid, slashing Medi- to take a moment if I could in looking a national champion in original ora- care, harming the environment, slash- at the perspective of where we are tory and debate. ing education, all to give a tax break today. She is someone who has also been for the rich. That to me is a disgrace. Mr. Speaker, we have to remember vice president of the Philadelphia Area A tax break for the rich, but let us hurt on November 20 the President of the Committee for UNICEF, on the board the senior citizens of this country. Let United States signed into law legisla- of directors on the World Affairs Coun- us hurt the children of this country. tion which said that he, along with cil in Philadelphia, and a member of Let us hurt our environment, and let Congress, would in fact balance the the board of trustees of Temple Univer- us add taxes on working families to budget. Unfortunately, as part of that sity in Philadelphia. give a tax break to the rich. law, he said that he would in fact do Today, we in Pennsylvania and in my That is the extreme Republican agen- this by the end of the year. Of course, district mourn Clare Lindgren Wofford da. A colleague before said there is a now we are into the new year; the saying, ‘‘You can fool some of the peo- as someone who is a leader in higher budget has not been balanced. education and, along with the Amer- ple some of the time, but you cannot The President of the United States fool all the people all the time.’’ Well, ican College, the Bryn Mawr College said during his campaign three major and the residents of our district and in in the last election, some of the people things: I want to change welfare as we were fooled some of the time, but when Pennsylvania generally, we mourn the know it; I want to balance the budget; loss of a great friend. they voted for Republicans they did and I want tax reform for the middle not know they were voting for this ex- The most fitting tribute, Mr. Speak- class. er, I think to the life of Clare Lindgren treme agenda. This House, in a bipartisan fashion, The Contract for America did not say Wofford would be to continue to sup- has passed such legislation. It is the hurt senior citizens by cutting their port higher education and the pro- President, not the Congress, that has Medicare and cutting their Medicaid grams she supported, and that would be forced the furlough of workers. In fact, and hurting our kids by cutting edu- a fitting living memorial for what con- the President has in fact not signed cation and killing the environment. It tributions she has made to the coun- into law appropriation bills, 13 of did not say that. But the hand has been try. which he received from the House; and played, and the extreme agenda is here. f Make no mistake about it, we could when the balanced budget came up, it passed by 351 to 40. The President’s DEDICATED FEDERAL WORKERS reopen the Government tomorrow and BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY the American people would not suffer, budget, which did not balance and in if the Republicans in this House who fact was $265 billion out of budget, in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a are in the majority would vote to re- fact that was defeated by a bipartisan previous order of the House, the gen- open the Government, would vote for a 425 to 0. tleman from Michigan [Mr. BARCIA] is continuing resolution. So I say to the President, we cer- recognized for 3 minutes. Now, the reason we need this con- tainly want to have a balanced budget Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the people tinuing resolution is because they did and also to have the workers go back, who are being treated most unfairly in not do their job to begin with. They did and we will work with you to make this ridiculous shutdown of Federal not pass the budget bills and send them that accomplished in a bipartisan fash- agencies are the dedicated workers who to the President on time. That is why ion, as this Congress has worked all are showing up for work day after day the Government has been shut down. year. without any idea of when they are get- They say well, you know, the President TRIBUTE TO CLARE LINDGREN WOFFORD, A ting paid. vetoed some of these bills. It is his pre- GREAT AMERICAN And to make matters even worse, rogative as the Chief Executive to veto Mr. Speaker, at this time, I want to some of these workers stand to lose the bills. This is the way the Constitu- take a moment for a special person in well-earned benefits because of the tion says things are supposed to hap- my district, Clare Lindgren Wofford, shutdown. pen. This has always happened in this who was the wife of our former U.S. I know that people who work for the country. The President vetoes, we Senator, Harris Wofford, from Penn- Justice Department, including mem- come back and try to override the veto sylvania. Her untimely death occurred bers of the U.S. Marshall’s office and or we pass another bill. today. the FBI, are at risk of losing earned va- But this is part of a calculated plan She was a great American, a loving cation time. Like other Federal em- to push forward an extreme agenda, wife to former Senator Harris Wofford, ployees, they face a use-it-or-lose-it and it will not work. One has nothing dedicated to her husband and family. situation when their accumulated to do with the other. The balanced She was a leader in college education, leave exceeds 240 hours per year. budget has nothing to do with this not only in Pennsylvania but across Under current procedures, these em- Government shutdown. It is two sepa- the country; an outstanding intellect, ployees will lose their excess hours if rate issues which the Republicans are a noted author. Clare Lindgren Wofford they are not used by the end of the cur- linking. was assistant to the president for de- rent pay period. But these people have January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 163 been deemed essential as a result of the failed to move on any reduction in need it, do not want it, and do not de- shutdown of the Justice Department their cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, serve it. and have been prohibited from using education, or the environment, or to Ms. DELAURO. The gentlewoman their accumulate leave time. remove their tax break package, which from Florida is absolutely right. I ap- While it is true that there are proce- is $245 billion, to the wealthiest Ameri- plaud the work she has done on the dures in place for these dedicated Fed- cans. floor of this House in order to try to eral servants to apply for extra time to When we talk about that agreement, bring out precisely what is going on use this excess leave because of ex- we need to talk about both sides who here. Sometimes it is difficult to get traordinary circumstances, why should signed and discussed that agreement. the word out and to really have people these individuals be compelled to make And I thank my colleague for yielding understand what kind of a shell game extra effort to keep the benefits they to me. is being played on them. have earned and are being prohibited Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, from using? I want to ask the gentlewoman one I thank the gentlewoman. I firmly believe that in any future question. Will you clear up for the f legislation to restore benefits to Fed- American people the question as far as PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SHRUNK eral employees affected by the shut- the balanced budget? They keep talk- GOVERNMENT AND REDUCED down, that an automatic extension for ing about the balanced budget. Yes; we THE DEFICIT the use of this excess leave time should want to balance the budget, but it is a be included. We should not make these question of priorities, shared sacrifices. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Justice Department workers or any What are some of the other factors? previous order of the House, the gen- similarly affected Federal employees Ms. DELAURO. Well, the issue is, and tleman from Maryland [Mr. HOYER] is fight to keep what they have earned, my colleague is right, there is not a recognized for 5 minutes. and what the budget impasse prevents Member of this House who does not Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Members them from using. want to see the Congress, House and of the House, we are in a bad situation. f the Senate, and the President put our We are in a situation that the majority fiscal house in order. Everyone wants leader of the U.S. Senate, a Repub- CONGRESS TO BLAME FOR to move in that direction. The question lican, I am a Democrat, said I do not FEDERAL SHUTDOWN is, as you pointed out so well, the pri- see any sense in what we have been The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under orities in dealing with this budget, how doing. That is the Republican leader the previous order of the House, the one gets to a balanced budget. who said I do not see any sense in what gentlewoman from Florida [Ms. BROWN] Now, if we want to talk about $245 we have been doing. is recognized for 5 minutes. billion in a tax break for the wealthiest We are in a bad state. I am a sup- Ms BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Americans, provide them with that, porter of the constitutional amend- if we do nothing else, it is our constitu- and at the same time we want to cut ment to balance the budget. I was a tional duty as Members of the U.S. $270 billion in Medicare, we want to cut supporter of the 7-year CBO-scored real Congress to pass the appropriation $163 billion in Medicaid, we want to cut balanced budget known as the coalition bills. Yet it is January 4, and we have education programs, and the environ- budget. I believe that we ought to have only passed 7 of the 13 appropriation ment, and increase taxes for working a balanced budget by the year 2002. bills that are necessary to fund the middle-class families, then our prior- Why are we here? I came to Congress Federal Government. No one is to ities are wrong in terms of balancing in 1981, and that is when it started, blame except Congress; to exact, the that budget. Take that tax break pack- frankly. Under Ronald Reagan. Ronald extreme Republican Members of the age off of the table and then let us talk Reagan had a Democratic House and a House. about balancing the budget. Republican Senate for three-quarters It is hard to me to believe that Re- Ms. BROWN of Florida. If the gentle- of his term, 6 years out of the 8, and publicans want to recess until January woman would stay with me, I would during that period of time he quad- 23. If you ask my opinion, they have ask her, does she think this sounds a rupled the national debt. Why do I say been in recess since the beginning of little like voodoo economics again? he did it? Well, we both did it, the Con- the 104th Congress, because in the Con- Ms. DELAURO. It is really a shell gress did it and the President did it. stitution we must pass the appropria- game and politics at its worst in this In point of fact, Ronald Reagan asked tion bills, and not in the Republicans’ body. The linking of the shutdown of for more spending than the Congress contract. the Government to the balanced budg- gave him. Hear that. Ronald Reagan Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield to et, as I said, is the worst of politics be- asked for more spending than the Con- the distinguished gentlewoman from cause we cannot continue the budget gress gave him. And, in fact, when he Connecticut [Ms. DELAURO]. negotiations or talk about what the submitted his budgets, he built in large Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I will be American public wants to talk about in deficits. He projected them. George very, very brief, because I do not want terms of Medicare and Medicaid. Bush did the same thing. So, collec- to interrupt the gentlewoman’s re- We do not have to keep this Govern- tively, we ran up a debt of over $4 tril- marks. But our Republican colleague, ment shut down. This is holding the lion, now about $4.8 trillion. the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. American public hostage and workers Now, that is a serious matter, which FOX], who was here earlier, talked hostage, and it is wrong, and I believe is why I am for an amendment and why about a November 19 agreement, a con- that the public is beginning to under- I want to see us balance the budget. tinuing resolution that was in fact stand what is going on. The American But contrary to those who would say it signed by the President and by the public said to the President of the is a crisis requiring the most drastic Speaker of the House. There were two United States, veto this budget that unsensible steps, this country has been parties to the agreement. cuts Medicare, Medicaid, and pays for a in debt far above what we are in debt tax break for the wealthy. Sixty per- now, just after the Second World War, b 1945 cent encouraged the President to veto as it relates to our gross domestic And the issue was to talk about a this budget. product. That is the money we have to balanced budget in 7 years; but, also, Ms. BROWN of Florida. Well, I have pay the debt. part of that agreement was to reinforce heard three times today that you can This President, President Bill Clin- the priorities and values of this Nation fool some of the people some of the ton, took office and knew we had a that include Medicare, Medicaid, edu- time. The American people need to let problem. He put a bill on this floor in cation, the environment, and tax re- the Republicans know that they are 1993, a tough bill, and for the first time form for working middle-class families. not being fooled by this talk about bal- since 1948, that economic program re- I dare say that the President has ancing the budget while we do reverse sulted in reducing the deficit each year kept his part of the bargain. It is our Robin Hood, where we are robbing from in the 3 years that President Clinton Republican colleagues and Republican the working people and poor people to has been President, unlike Ronald leadership in this House who have give a tax break to people who do not Reagan and unlike George Bush. The H 164 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 deficit has fallen during each of those As the previous speaker told us, the saying before my time expired, Cynthia years, from $290 billion, when he took plan to hold the Government hostage, I Snyder is a Republican. But that is not over, to $255 billion, then to $203 bil- think, is now reversing itself and it is her major activity. She is a member of lion, and now to $164 billion. causing the Republican majority, who the board of directors of United We What is my point? My point is, we has the obligation to govern, to now Stand. United We Stand, of course, is have not gotten there yet, but, boy, are scramble and pass a CR that will pay the organization that Ross Perot we going in the right direction. That for minimum services of the Federal founded. He raised the budget issue to deficit is going down. So this is not a Government. central concern of this country. I think crisis where we see that we are out of And the rallying cry is going to be he performed a service in doing so. control and we have not addressed the that we cannot trust the President of Cynthia Snyder is a concerned citi- problem. Do we need to do more? Yes, the United States, President Clinton. zen in my district. Yes, she is a Repub- we do and I am supporting that we do The Republicans are going to say that lican, and she is with United We Stand. more. he is not negotiating in good faith. He But let me read one paragraph of the The fact of the matter is some said vetoed a budget that was given to him, letter she sent to the gentleman from we had to get Government under con- that was passed by this House and the Louisiana [Mr. LIVINGSTON], not to me, trol and shrink its size. President Bill Senate, and he said why he vetoed it. but she sent me a copy of it. Clinton proposed that we do just that. He did not want to give a big tax break She said, In 3 years we have reduced the Federal on the backs of children, students, el- level of employment by 185,000 people, derly, et cetera. And for the past 40 Why can’t Congress get on with their stat- smaller than under either President hours, he has been and his aides have utory and constitutional mandates to fund Reagan or President Bush. been in serious negotiation with the the government, instead of holding govern- We are going in the right direction. ment employees and the public hostage to leadership of the Senate and the House. But in 1994, we had some revolution- their own 7-year budget proposals? Most of He will continue to do that. aries win an election. What do revolu- us know we must curtail spending and many What has happened is that the Re- tionaries want to do? They want to of us worked hard to elect deficit hawks, but publicans have held Government em- does adding millions per day to the deficit by overthrow governments. In fact, ployees, the U.S. Government, as hos- keeping the government shut down help in Speaker GINGRICH said in June he was tage in trying to get the President to any way do that? going to close down, shut down the agree to a balanced budget that he has Government, and that, in fact, is what She concludes, as I said, by saying, vetoed, and told them why, and he is he has done. negotiating in good faith. But because Besides, I am a Republican, and you are BOB DOLE said I do not see any sense hurting Republican chances of election to in what we have been doing. Amen. BOB the American people, in loud cries, are high offices by your amateurish behavior. DOLE was right. So he passed a CR over saying enough is enough, they are agreeing with the majority leader in BOB DOLE, the majority leader, lead- to us, unanimously. Not partisan bick- ing candidate for President of the Unit- ering or rancoring. They knew closing the Senate that enough is enough; that tonight, and probably tomorrow morn- ed States in the Republican Party, said down the Government to accomplish a that what we are doing does not make balanced budget did not make any ing, there will be resolutions before this House that will try to bring Fed- sense. He said as previous speakers sense. Why? Because they are not re- said, ‘‘Enough is enough.’’ lated. In fact, shutting down the Gov- eral employees in certain areas back to ernment exacerbates, makes worse, the work. I represent 56,000 Federal employees. debt. What we should do is pass a clean They are not responsible for incurring f continuing resolution, bring back the the deficit, and they do not have the Government employees in order that power to sit in this body to reduce the LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL all Americans get the services they de- deficit. What they try to do is carry RISKING THEIR LIVES WITHOUT serve and the President and the leader- out the responsibilities given to them BEING PAID ship of the House and the Senate can by the executive and legislative The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a continue to negotiate on what should branches of Government. previous order of the House, the gen- be a proper balanced budget. Mr. Speaker, we have held them hos- tleman from Arizona [Mr. PASTOR] is Enough is enough. We have people tage. We have put families at risk. We recognized for 5 minutes. risking their lives enforcing the laws of have shut down portions of Govern- Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, it is very this country, and yet they are not get- ment, stamped our feet and said, ‘‘Mr. rare that I get on the floor to address ting their proper pay and they are en- President, if you do not do it our way, an issue, but tonight I felt that it was dangering their family, not being able we will do it no way.’’ Mr. Speaker, important for me to do such a thing for to provide for mortgage payments, for that has never before happened in his- two reasons. food, et cetera. This is being caused by tory. Not since 1789 to 1994 has any I found out this afternoon that along a Republican majority who told us that group with the power to do so, but with the Mexican border, the Arizona bor- their main principle, or one of their the responsibility not to, shut down der, that we have Border Patrol agents main principles is upholding family the Government for 20 days. and other law enforcement personnel values. who are out there enforcing the laws of Have we had shutdowns before? Yes, b this country and they are doing it and 2000 but not until 1981, 1982, and then it was will do it without pay. Let us protect these families, and for hours, then a half a day, then 1 day There is a case in which it is a cou- send them back to work. over the Columbus Day holiday, the 3- ple, man and wife, with children, who f day weekend. But what happened? are employees of the Border Patrol out President Reagan was President and there on the desert, protecting this COMPROMISE AND DISCUSSION President Bush was President during country from criminal activities, ap- WILL LEAD TO BALANCED BUDG- one or more of those shutdowns. There prehending people who went across the ET was a Democratic Congress. When the border illegally, and yet this couple The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. President would not agree with what finds themselves today and tomorrow BARTLETT of Maryland). Under a pre- we wanted, the Democratic Congress that they may not have the money to vious order of the House, the gentle- accommodated the President, because pay their mortgage or to pay their woman from Texas, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE that is the constitutional system. If we bills. JOHNSON, is recognized for 5 minutes. cannot override a veto, we either need At the veterans hospital in Phoenix, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of to compromise or not take the action. AZ, we have employees going to food Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to That is what our Framers con- banks in order that they can feed their yield to my colleague, the gentleman templated. That is the appropriate way children and their families. I agree, and from Maryland [Mr. HOYER]. to operate a democracy. very rarely do I agree with BOB DOLE, Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Speaker GINGRICH said earlier this but enough is enough. the gentlewoman for yielding. As I was year, ‘‘I will cooperate, but I will not January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 165 compromise.’’ My friends, in a democ- cated employees of the Montrose Hos- continue serious discussions about bal- racy I do not know how we come to- pital received 1 week of pay for 2 weeks ancing the budget. gether to make policy without com- of work, and they do not know when f they are going to get paid for the work promising. Not compromising our prin- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a that they are doing. ciples, but agreeing that there are dif- previous order of the House, the gen- ferent ways to do things, different Mr. Speaker, in fact, as we know, tleman from Michigan [Mr. SMITH] is many of the employees at the FDR ways to accomplish objectives, and recognized for 5 minutes. know that in good faith, Americans Veterans Hospital are veterans them- acting through their elected represent- selves. So, by holding employees hos- [Mr. SMITH of Michigan addressed atives could reach those ends. Not tage, we are penalizing men and women the House. His remarks will appear stamp their feet. Not point a gun at who served our country along with hereafter in the Extensions of Re- the President’s head and say, If you other Federal employees. marks.] don’t do it my way, I shut down the This week, in fact, the hospital em- f Government. ployees were forced, as I mentioned, to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a BOB DOLE said, ‘‘I don’t see any sense hold the bake sale. In talking to them previous order of the House, the gen- in what we’ve been doing.’’ America again this evening, they still do not tleman from Louisiana [Mr. FIELDS] is sees no sense in what we have been know how they are going to survive. It recognized for 5 minutes. is hard to believe the veterans who are doing. [Mr. FIELDS of Louisiana addressed working in a veterans hospital have to f the House. His remarks will appear be subject to such indignities. hereafter in the Extensions of Re- OPEN THE GOVERNMENT AND They cannot get fare to go to work. marks.] CONTINUE SERIOUS BUDGET They cannot pay for gas or their TALKS MetroNorth train passes. And I know it f The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. may be very difficult for some of my The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a METCALF). Under a previous order of colleagues to believe this is the case, previous order of the House, the gen- the House, the gentlewoman from New but it is true. There is also a food drive tleman from New Jersey [Mr. MARTINI] York [Mrs. LOWEY] is recognized for 5 being started in the local community is recognized for 5 minutes. minutes. to help needy employees. [Mr. MARTINI addressed the House. Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank I spoke with Lisa Jackson, a reg- His remarks will appear hereafter in the previous speaker, my colleague, for istered nurse. She told us, and the local the Extensions of Remarks.] saying that this just does not make paper in fact, that so many of the em- f any sense. I was in my office this ployees are living paycheck to pay- evening. I really had not planned to check, and today I also learned that The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a come down, but I was listening to so many of the hospital’s vendors who are previous order of the House, the gen- many of the speakers who kept talking not being paid may soon be forced to tleman from New York [Mr. SCHUMER] about how they were shutting down the stop making deliveries of important is recognized for 5 minutes. Government and waiting for the Presi- supplies. If vendors stop making deliv- [Mr. SCHUMER addressed the House. dent to take action. eries to a veterans hospital, they would His remarks will appear hereafter in Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding then have to close down portions of the the Extensions of Remarks.] that the President and the Speaker hospital and some patients would have f have been meeting around the clock. I to be discharged. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a spent a weekend just a couple of weeks Mr. Speaker, I wanted to share with previous order of the House, the gen- ago meeting around the clock trying to you this story, because listening to tleman from Florida [Mr. STEARNS] is work out a balanced budget. I have speaker after speaker so sanctimo- recognized for 5 minutes. been in this House now about 7 years, niously telling this body that they and I have never been part of a time have to shut down the Government to [Mr. STEARNS addressed the House. like this. It is really an embarrass- get their way and balance the budget His remarks will appear hereafter in ment, and I imagine that the people their way, it does not make any sense. the Extensions of Remarks.] who are watching are embarrassed. I thought we were all adults. I am a f We want to work together in bal- mother of three children, and it sounds THE SITUATION WITH OUR NA- ancing a budget, but I cannot see why to me like children standing in a cor- TION’S BUDGET AND THE NA- closing down the Government, causing ner saying, ‘‘I am going to hold my TIONAL DEBT such pain to so many people, helps us breath and turn blue if I do not get accomplish that purpose. There are things my way.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under meetings going on. We should be opening the Govern- the Speaker’s announced policy of May I have been receiving calls from con- ment. Democrats signed on to a resolu- 12, 1995, the gentleman from Georgia stituents in my district, and last night tion to make it clear that we all sup- [Mr. KINGSTON] is recognized for 60 the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. port opening the Government now. minutes as the designee of the major- KINGSTON], my friend, and I were talk- What we really need is only 20 votes ity leader. ing about this issue, and I mentioned over there on the Republican side to Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I have the fact that at the Franklin Delano join us so we can open the Government with me the gentleman from South Roosevelt Veterans Hospital in and continue the very serious discus- Carolina [Mr. SANFORD]. We are going Montrose they were having a bake sale sions about balancing the budget. to talk tonight about the situation in order for the employees who were As we have shared before, this is a with our Nation’s budget and our na- working there, over 1,400, to get the battle, this is a serious discussion tional debt. The gentleman from Penn- carfare to go to work. Many of them about the basic priorities of our coun- sylvania [Mr. FOX] is also going to be work from paycheck to paycheck. try. The President has made it clear speaking with me. Mr. Speaker, the VA Hospital in that he wants to balance the budget in I think the first thing that we want- Montrose is the largest Federal agency 7 years, protecting Medicare, Medicaid, ed to do, Mr. Speaker, just to get off in Westchester County. They are deep- education, and the environment. the issue of reopening the Government, ly affected by this shutdown. The 700 Now, there are differences of opinion. because that is very important, we are beds in the hospital are full of many el- I understand there are about 80 Repub- talking real people, real jobs, real derly patients, including one World licans that said they will not com- mortgages, real paychecks and real War I veteran about to celebrate his promise on a tax cut of $245 billion. grocery bills, and so forth. Speaking 100th birthday. Well, I would hope as we conclude, my for myself, I want to get these folks The hospital also cares for 75,000 vet- colleagues, that we can continue to back to work. So, I am in favor of try- erans on an outpatient basis. Many of talk, to share our different views, but ing to get the Government up and these are also elderly. The 1,400 dedi- let us open the Government now and going again, get these folks back on H 166 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 the job, and yet at the same time, I do Members of Congress, Democrat and empire controlled a quarter of the en- not want to back down from the 7-year Republican, got it from the Old York tire known world and yet came to an balanced budget. Foundation. What they said, this was end around 1588 with the sinking of But having said that, I hope I can done in the name of the late Seymour Spanish Armada. erase as many of the Democrat com- Durst. I am not familiar with him, but The point is, you could go through a ments as possible. Mr. Speaker, I would what he said is this is a $5 trillion note. lot of parallels and in every instance yield now to the gentleman from Penn- Every Member of Congress has this $5 each of those nations, each of those sylvania [Mr. FOX]. trillion note for a $5 trillion debt that civilizations reached a crossroads in Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speak- we are passing on to our children and which they had to decide do we stay in er, I wanted to add my comments on our children’s children, and we will this awfully comfortable cycle of up- this. As we speak, the Republican con- continue to do so if we do not do any- ward spending and upward government ference is meeting for just that pur- thing about it. consumption, or do we go back to what pose, to try to get all the important What the gentleman from South made us a world power in the first Federal workers, all the Federal work- Carolina [Mr. SANFORD] says is that place. That is what those numbers I ers back to work, not only for the sake 1994 was an election not so much to think suggest. of their families and the good work throw the bums out but an election to Mr. KINGSTON. It is always far easi- they are doing, but also because we stop politics as usual, as you have said. er to increase spending, add 3 or 4 per- want to make sure in fact that the I think it is important for us to think cent, 10 percentage points each year services they perform, passports or So- about the size of our national debt and and just keep on spending. That is why cial Security or veterans matters or just a couple of numbers that are abso- this process this year is so difficult and any other agency, gets back to work lutely terrifying. so long. But generally speaking, we are and takes care of constituents and also This is the number as of November, trying to increase the Federal budget 3 takes care of their families. $4,984,800,213,988.31, and it increases at trillion new dollars over the next 7 Mr. Speaker, all we are trying to a rate of $2,207,000 each day, which the years, and the President wants to in- make sure of on the balanced budget is gentleman from Texas [Mr. crease it $4 trillion over the next 7 to make sure the House and Senate THORNBERRY] says is enough to buy years, so we are debating $3 trillion wants to have one; the President wants McDonald’s Big Mac extra value meals versus $4 trillion directly in new to have one; let us get together on the for every person in the United States growth. We are not cutting and we are details and find the common ground. and in Mexico. He goes on to say that not freezing the budget. That is what they sent us here to do, with the annual budget of about $4.6 I yield to the gentleman from Penn- not to have gridlock or one side finger- trillion, we as a government spend $4.4 sylvania [Mr. FOX]. pointing at the other, but actually to billion each day, each day that we are Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. I appre- make sure that the job is done in a sin- here, which the gentleman from Texas ciate the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. cere way. [Mr. THORNBERRY] points out that this KINGSTON] taking the time to have this Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, if the is $50,736 each second. That is what the special order because frankly the gentleman would yield, I think what is Federal Government spends. These American public will benefit, I think, interesting about doing that job is that numbers are important because the de- from not only having a balanced budg- we not lose sight of the prize, and that bate here is about Government spend- et but having the workers return to prize is actually getting to a balanced ing. That is what we are debating. We work and providing the services. budget in 7 years and using real num- are debating the size of government. But what the benefits are, that some bers to get there. Mr. SANFORD. What is interesting, may not realize, and Alan Greenspan Back on Monday, I spent a couple of if the gentleman would yield, about has pointed this out, by being able to hours in front of the Kmart in Myrtle that particular number, a carry with have a balanced budget we will be able Beach talking to folks, and what was me a quote, it is from Sir Alex Francis to reduce the expense of interest, interesting about those conversations Taylor, a Scottish historian a little which thereby will reduce the cost for was that people over and over and over over 100 years ago. college education, home mortgage, the again said, ‘‘Hold the line,’’ because if His quote was a democracy cannot expense of health care, all of those we look at this budget, what we are exist as a permanent form of govern- things that we have as yearly regular looking at is $12 trillion. $12 trillion. It ment. it only exists until the voters expenses. That is going to help working is called extreme. discover that they can vote for them- families, help senior citizens, help our Mr. Speaker, over the last 7 years the selves largesse from the public treas- children make sure they can have the Federal Government spent $9.5 trillion. ury. From that moment on the major- American dream. Over the next 7 years what is proposed ity usually votes for the candidates After all, every other government, is spending $12 trillion. Basically, for promising the most benefits from the whether it be State, county or local, too long talks in Washington would go public treasury, with the result that a has to balance its budget just like fam- along to get along and there were plen- democracy always collapses over loose ilies do. What we are trying to do is ty of slaps on the back. And now what fiscal policy and is generally followed over a period of time, working with the we have said in essence is let us hold by a dictatorship. The average age of President, to come to an agreement the line here. This is what we are hear- the world’s great civilizations has been whereby we can have a balanced budget ing from folks at home, is that $12 tril- 200 years. and everybody has a chance to have the lion over the next 7 years is enough. These nations have progressed American dream, have their own home, through this sequence: From bondage and people will have a job that is of b 2015 to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith great worth. Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. What is in- to great courage, from great courage to Mr. KINGSTON. The gentleman is teresting, if the gentleman would yield, liberty, from liberty to abundance, correct. If we realize the scope of this is that fact that we can balance the from abundance to selfishness, from disaster, of a tremendously expensive budget, making sure we provide vital selfishness to complacency, from com- debt, and then we look at the benefits services to our constituents while still placency to apathy, from apathy to de- of balancing the budget, to give specif- maintaining increases for Medicare, in- pendency and from dependency back ics on what the gentleman from Penn- creases for Medicaid, increases for edu- again into bondage. sylvania [Mr. FOX] is saying, that on a cation, increases for the environment, What I think is startling about that 30-year home mortgage the average in- and increases for child care. All we is as you look across the time line of terest rate will drop 2.7 percent, and on want to do is eliminate the waste that history, Rome, it was the largest place a 30-year mortgage of $50,000 that has gone on for years in duplicative in the world at that time, collapsed in means a family will save over $1,000 an- programs. 476. The Byzantine Empire came on its nually or $32,000 over the life of a loan. Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, here is heels and yet collapsed in 1453. The Car loans will drop 2 percent, which a certificate, a Federal Reserve note, Italian Renaissance, as great as it was, means on a $15,000 car the average fam- that was sent to us, and I believe all came to an end in 1550. The Spanish ily budget would save about $900 during January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 167 the life of the loan. Sending children to But here is what George Will said, it is awfully interesting to move away college, the same thing. and this is his column but it was in the from the talk, because there is plenty But the other thing, though, that is Savannah Morning News. It says, of talk in Washington, DC, and simply very important is that businesses will ‘‘Clearly the President does not want a look at the numbers. And how radical expand, jobs will be created and eco- balanced budget any more than he is this budget, because what is inter- nomic opportunity and prosperity will wants to end welfare as we know it. So esting is if you go from simply the last follow. he is vetoing Republican plans that 7 years, the Federal Government spent Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. If the gen- would balance the budget more slowly $9.5 trillion, and what is proposed in tleman will yield, what is very exciting than he as a candidate promised to.’’ this budget is spending of $12 trillion, I think for the American public is, not Then he goes on to say, ‘‘He said 5 which is roughly 2.5 percent annualized only will it be new jobs but it will not years, they say 7 years, and he prob- growth each year. be Government created jobs. These will ably will, it will depend on who talks For instance, take some of the pro- be private sector jobs that really will to him last, and he’ll veto it,’’ and he grams. With Medicaid, we spent $443 spin out other allied industries, creat- will probably, George Will is saying, he billion over the last 7 years, and what ing more private sector jobs. is probably going to veto our welfare is proposed is to spend $791 billion over Back on education just for a second. reform, which we will talk about wel- the next 7 years. I think it is also important to note fare reform in a minute, but there is a Mr. KINGSTON. If the gentleman that this Congress in a bipartisan fash- welfare bill on the President’s desk will yield on that point because I am ion is moving ahead with additional right now and we hopefully will get his glad you brought up some of the spe- programs for student loans and grants, signature on it. cific program differences. Because one such that legislation which many of us But what I wanted to point out is of the things that we are not debating have cosponsored would create 100 per- that it is time now to have a balanced here is what are the differences be- cent tax credits for employers who pro- budget on the table. tween the Democrats’ plan, or lack of vide their employees with college edu- You two are freshmen and you have plan to some degree, and the Repub- cation, and to change the law back so been called radicals, and yet it is inter- lican plan. that it is not considered taxable in- esting to me that as candidates you One of the big differences that we come to the employee who is receiving had a written outline of a campaign hear is that the Republican budget cuts the educational benefit and hopefully plan, as did President Clinton. As Medicare. As the gentleman just point- being with a company for some time newly elected freshmen, you followed ed out, and let me get him to repeat and bringing that benefit to others. the plan, unlike newly elected Presi- those figures. So we are looking for ways to im- dent Clinton. And then you did the Mr. SANFORD. On just Medicaid. I prove the quality of life, improve edu- plan and got criticized for it, and the will get to Medicare. For instance, cation, improve the environment, im- criticism is coming from people who with Medicaid we go from spending $443 prove Medicare, improve Medicaid. did not follow their own campaign billion over the last 7 years to spending That can all be accomplished in this speeches to balance the budget. $791 billion with this proposed budget budget picture where we have already So you have been here a year, you over the next 7 years. With Medicare seen an increase of $71 billion in the said you were going to do something, we go from spending $926 billion over areas I have identified. Mr. KINGSTON. If we have estab- you did it, and now you are saying, ‘‘I the last 7 years to a proposal that sug- lished that it is disastrous to leave the have done it, now come on, the rest of gests we spend $1.6 trillion over the debt out there, we have established you all,’’ but we are not seeing it. next 7 years. there are great benefits to balancing It is very frustrating to the process. Mr. KINGSTON. It is interesting that the budget, then what is the problem? Again, I am not trying to get into this the gentleman would bring that up, be- Because Speaker after Speaker from big partisan thing. But it is so hard to cause here is a December 6, $1 million both sides of the aisle have come to the negotiate when there is not a counter- check and an offer made by the chair- well today and said we support a bal- proposal on the table. man of the Republican National Com- anced budget and certainly the Presi- I yield to the gentleman from South mittee, Haley Barbour. What he said is dent does. Carolina. if any Democrat can prove the rhetoric Let me read some quotes, though, Mr. SANFORD. I would think two that Republicans are cutting Medicare, make sure that we are talking about thoughts on what the gentleman has I have got a $1 million check waiting the same President, June 4, 1992 on just been saying. for you one block away from here at Larry King Live, President Clinton One would be, there was a question as the Republican National Committee, speaking: ‘‘I would present a 5-year to why would the President be doing just come show us where Medicare is plan to balance the budget.’’ this. I think it is awfully easy inside being cut. Then on his ‘‘Putting People First’’ the Beltway to lose sight of the decided Although the rhetoric has not campaign brochure: ‘‘Our plan will cut benefits to balancing the budget. stopped, nobody has collected $1 mil- the deficit in half within 4 years and JACK, I do not know if you saw the lion. article in today’s Washington Post, but assure that it continues to fall each b 2030 year after that.’’ there was an article talking about, it May 19, 1995, Bill Clinton, New Hamp- reads, ‘‘On Balance, Budget Deal Could Just think about it, if you were a shire, radio interview: ‘‘I think it can Offer a $1,000 Bonus,’’ and it talks Democrat, if you could prove that Med- be done. Well, it can, first of all it can about a study by several economists icare was being cut, you would be such be done in 7 years.’’ and it looks at the three benefits that a hero and getting the million dollars Later on that day, also in New Hamp- would go with balancing the budget. to boot, but nobody has come to claim shire: ‘‘I think it can be done in less One would be our children would not that check, which is almost a month than 10 years. I think we can get there have to pay debt in the future because old now. by a date certain.’’ That was in May. we would have not added another $1 Mr. SANFORD. I know my colleague October 1995: ‘‘Well, I think we could trillion worth of Government spending, from Georgia knows these numbers reach it in 7 years. I think we could the economy would grow more, and we better than I do. When you actually reach it in 8 years. I think we could would see lower interest rates. look at the Medicare on a per capita reach it in 9 years.’’ But here in the Washington Post it is basis, look at how we go from spending The reason why I say that is not to talking about a $1,000 bonus per family $4,800 per beneficiary to moving up ba- ridicule the President. Good Lord, ev- for balancing the budget. So I would sically at 7 percent a year to $7,100 a eryone in Congress, everyone in Amer- say that one of the reasons probably year in 2002, it is remarkable to see ica says things and changes his or her the White House has gone back and that kind of yearly growth. mind from time to time. In this case he forth on this number is it is easy to Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Would the gen- did it over the same interview, in a 20- lose sight of those future benefits. tleman kindly yield for a moment? I minute period, but even then some peo- As to your second point about being certainly will not take advantage of ple are entitled to change their mind. one of those radical freshman, I think the length of time that you have, but H 168 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 you did indicate that nobody has other people why they do not have model which will save and protect and claimed it. I will be happy to try and jobs. Right. So one economist will tell preserve Medicare. claim the money as far as the Medicare you one thing, and, you know, we are Mr. SANFORD. If I might interject is concerned. victims of that as much as we are bene- just prior, I think the significance of But I do not want to engage in the ficiaries. that, though, is that you look at, I kind of verbal jousting that I think has So why would you want to take any mean, Medicare right now is the equiv- characterized some of the debate. money out of Medicare at this time, alent of the only gas station stop on a Mr. KINGSTON. If I could reclaim, $270 billion, $240 billion, whatever it is? very long and lonely stretch of inter- and I will yield back to you, I am glad Why would we want to take money state, and what is being proposed with to hear that because, you know, so out? this Republican plan is basically rather much of the jousting, and both sides To the degree we want to count sav- than that one gas station where, sure can admit some guilt here, is totally ings as a result of tightening up waste, enough, you can count on getting gas based on fantasy and what sounds good fraud, and abuse, tightening up the but you may not get the lower price or on a 30-second sound bite rather than amount that we are willing to pay for best service, is having six or seven lit- what is real. hospital care or doctor’s fees or phar- tle gas stations so you begin to have Mr. ABERCROMBIE. I quite agree. maceutical needs, et cetera, to the de- competition, which begins the working So my question is a serious one on that gree there is a savings, let us suppose, of the marketplace which directly af- leading to the other question about again for honest conversation sake, fects price. balanced budget, which I am also seri- that the $270 billion that is proposed Mr. ABERCROMBIE. I appreciate ous about. for savings is actually savings, would you yielding the final time. I think you I think the reason that the argument we not want to have that savings rein- would be able to make, not you person- starts over Mr. Barbour’s offer and vested in the system? Are you counting ally, but we would be able to make this then goes off into the ethereal on Medi- the $270 billion toward the $7,100? argument back and forth in a way that care is that the argument is not about Mr. KINGSTON. If the gentleman could resolve this issue a lot better, whether or not there is increased from South Carolina wants time, just then, and I think would be understood amount of money in the Republican speak up. more easily and accepted, perhaps proposal or in Mr. Clinton’s original Mr. ABERCROMBIE. I will not take more importantly, by the American proposals, for that matter, but whether much longer. This is your time. people as a whole, than if we kept that or not, given the expansion of the base Mr. KINGSTON. I think these are argument within the Medicare-Medic- population that will be in need of Medi- very good questions and they are valid. aid-Social Security syndrome and got care and Medicaid, whether that will be As you know, Medicare inflation has rid of the tax cuts. I think if people sufficient to cover the basic needs re- been 11 percent a year. Regular medical were not making the association be- gardless of how much you are able to inflation is between the 4- and 6-per- tween cuts and/or additions arguments rein in the overall expenditures on hos- cent range. that are made in Medicare and Medic- pitals, nursing homes, pharmaceutical What our plan does is try to slow aid, in the context of a tax cut, if we needs, et cetera. That then becomes, if down that increase of inflation and could remove that tax cut from the you will, just allow me another 10 or 15 growth or growth due to inflation each context, I think that this argument seconds, that then becomes an argu- year and get it down in the 6- to 7-per- would reach a different level of not ment over different economists making cent range, which the gentleman only civility but of understandability projections as to what the need will be knows is what Mrs. Clinton called for and perhaps even acceptability within vis-a-vis the population of the United in 1993. the country. States, the aging population of the Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Which we have United States, the requirement in so- already achieved in Hawaii. Mr. KINGSTON. I appreciate the gen- cial security benefits as the baby Mr. SANFORD. If the gentleman will tleman’s comments. I would be quick boomers come in and the number of yield, I think what is interesting about to say, unfortunately, it is Members of people contributing to it goes down, et the numbers, and I mean you are look- your party who have linked the two cetera, those kinds of things. That gets ing at a 49-percent increase over 7 even in the face of their own trustees into the realm of sheer speculation. years, you are looking at an increase saying that Medicare is going bankrupt Mr. KINGSTON. Reclaiming my time two times the rate of inflation, but you in 7 years. a second, that is a good point, and that are touching one of the holy grails in You know what, I was reading an ar- is why our budget goes from $4,800 to politics, and I think the significance of ticle about President Clinton, who has $7,100 per person with anticipation of that is that typically the way that not had an agenda this year, has fi- the population increase, $4,800 to $7,100, Washington has been hear no evil, see nally found a cause to be, and that is which again is not a cut. no evil, speak no evil, as it relates to the agenda of fear on the old folks, say- Now, one of the questions is, OK, is anything that might be at all con- ing that Republicans are going to do that enough? Let me finish now. Is that troversial, and clearly Medicare is; but all kinds of things to the elderly, as if enough? Well, I can say this, if we do you have got a trustees’ report that we do not have parents, as if we do not not act to reform, preserve and protect says if you do not do something you have grandparents. And so I am glad Medicare, the April 3 trustees report guys are going to have a real problem, that the gentleman is forthcoming, and has already told us it is going bank- that it will go bankrupt, period. I will say this, that I was asked by a re- rupt. So while we cannot tell you with Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Then, excuse porter the other day, ‘‘Well, isn’t the absolute certainty that going from me, why would you not then want to balanced budget going to be an election $4,800 to $7,100 is going to be perfect, we take the $270 billion out of it? Why not issue if you do not solve something?’’ can tell you with certainty based on apply it toward the $7,100? And I said it is going to be an election the trustees report of April 3, 1995, that Mr. KINGSTON. Reclaiming my issue whatever happens. And it was in Medicare is going bankrupt in 7 years. time, let me make correct the termi- 1994, it was in 1992, it was in 1990, and Mr. ABERCROMBIE. If you will be so nology to the degree that we are not it will continue to be, as will all Fed- kind, then why would we want to take taking money out of that. What that eral Government spending. any money out of that fund? Why $270 billion figure represents is the pro- Mr. ABERCROMBIE. I am very would you not want to, if you are in- jected growth at the 11-percent infla- grateful for your yielding the time. I creasing the money from $4,800 to tion rate range, and for us to have pri- hope at some point when I am discuss- $7,100, I will not dispute that, that vate sector inflation rate in the 4-per- ing the balanced budget issue, perhaps there is an increase in that number? I cent range and public Federal health you could be on the floor, and perhaps would argue that I do not believe that care and Medicare at 11-percent range I could yield time to you so we might is going to be enough, based on our ex- is totally inefficient. What we want to further the discussion. perience in Hawaii, and so on. That is do, as a way to reduce that growth Mr. KINGSTON. I am always happy my view and some others. I mean, rate, is to increase the competition and to yield time to the distinguished economists have a job explaining to replace that 1964 model with a 1995 weightlifting gentleman from Hawaii. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 169 Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Many thanks. I rity tax increase, that is why they do What I think to be even worse, you send you my aloha. not want to vote to repeal it? look at how that is going to impact Mr. KINGSTON. We wanted to touch Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Obviously, children. It takes every single Federal base also on this tax issue because I I could not explain that to you as to income tax filed west of the Mississippi think that it is important to talk reasons of other persons. I think the simply to pay the interest on the na- about it because we have heard so proposal has a lot of merit. It also tional debt. And if that was not bad many times that it is a tax break for called for elder care tax cut, two new enough, what is worse is how it looks the rich. IRA’s for individuals and couples, and I for our children. Now, President Clinton said as much think, frankly, with the infusion of the A child born in America today will as President Clinton says anything capital gains tax reduction for individ- pay $187,000 in taxes to pay for their that he supports a capital gains tax uals and businesses, what we are going share of interest on the national debt. cut. Then, of course, he immediately to have here is growth of businesses, Viewed another way, generational ac- said a disclaimer, saying, ‘‘I am not growth of savings, and growth of jobs, counting says to keep our Government sure how much or when,’’ or whatever all of which are pro-economy, and pro- solvent, they would have to pay an 82- kind of Clintonesque comments he people, and so it is the populist idea percent tax rate if we stayed on the would qualify something with. that has been embraced by Republicans course we are on. So I think when we But let us assume that the capital and Democrats alike as well as those talk about these tax rates, they are gains tax cut is OK. So what do we who are financial experts on Wall fairly alarming numbers that I think have now that we are giving to the Street and on Main Street. impact everybody’s lives. middle-class taxpayers that has horri- Mr. KINGSTON. I think one thing Mr. KINGSTON. I think it is impor- fied so many of the folks on the other that is interesting, as we talk taxes, tant also to point out that in our budg- side of the aisle that is a tax break for two things about the administration, et process, not only do we repeal that the rich? first, as a candidate the President 1993 tax increase on Social Security, This is it, a $500-per-child tax credit. promised a middle-class tax cut. That but we also increase the earnings limi- Now, who is going to get the benefit of was part of his platform. That was one tation. As the gentleman knows, senior that? Eighty-nine percent of the people of the main planks of his platform as a citizens are only allowed to make a who get benefit of that have a family candidate in 1992. Speaking in Houston, certain amount of money at the age of household income of $75,000 or less. 62. This increases that threshold from Now, look at this, 4 percent of the TX, October 17, the President said, ‘‘Many people are still mad about the $11,000 to $30,000 over a 7-year period of people who benefit from that have an time so seniors can remain working, 1993 budget,’’ and they think he raised income of over $100,000. Now, there are productive, and not be penalized on taxes too much. Now I quote, ‘‘It might Members of this body who like social- their Social Security that is also in the surprise you to know that I think I ists more than they like successful peo- budget. ple who have earned and lived the raised them too much, too,’’ the Presi- We mentioned spending. I wanted to American dream, and I think that is dent said. make this point on spending. One of too bad. We need to have successful So, you know, here we have a can- the programs that the President has people in our country, and we cannot didate who said he was going to give a said he is prepared to go to the mat for constantly use them as a whipping post middle-class tax cut; then we have a is his AmeriCorps Program. I know for all of our frustrations because President who 2 months ago said, ‘‘I there are a lot of good things that hap- maybe not everyone knows how to think that I raised taxes too much.’’ pen through AmeriCorps. But here is a make that money. So 4 percent of the Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. That is Savannah Morning News article, an people who are going to get a $500-per- what gives me hope that we are going editorial, about the volunteers. It says child tax break have an income of over to come to a settlement here. We are that the volunteers working for $100,000, and I believe we have capped it going to get a balanced budget. We are AmeriCorps are making approximately anyhow at $110,000 down the road. going to make sure programs like Med- $18 an hour. It says that the program is But, you know, what I am saying, icare, Medicaid, the environment, chil- already bigger than Peace Corps ever that 89 percent of the people who are dren’s programs, education, will, in was, just in its first year of operation. going to benefit have a household in- fact, be there for all Americans, but It has become a costly Great Society come of $75,000 or less. Does that sound not with the waste we have had over program that relies too much on gov- l ike a tax break for the wealthy? the last 20–30 years, with the unbridled ernment and not enough on society to Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. It does spending which duplicates much of solve its own problems. not. Further, what made the middle- what is happening in our local dis- The General Accounting Office, class tax reform such a viable proposal, tricts, and none of the waste that has which is nonpartisan, reports that the which had bipartisan support in the come from having bureaucracies upon average participant in AmeriCorps is House and the Senate, is that it also bureaucracies to the extent that we are supported by $25,000 in Federal, State had some other significant items that definitely spending too much. and local taxes. That is more than pri- helped other individuals across the b 2045 vate sector jobs. board, an adoption tax credit of $5,000 It talks about some of the good to help families adopt children. It also Mr. KINGSTON. I want to talk about things that they do, feeding the hun- called for a seniors’ earning limit in- some of the unbridled spending after gry, helping the elderly and so forth. crease. Right now seniors under 70 can- the gentleman from South Carolina. And then this article says but those not make more than $11,280 without de- Mr. SANFORD. Just on the subject of AmeriCorps volunteers are paid only ductions from Social Security. Our pro- taxes, I hear it a lot at home. You are about $9,000 for their $1,700 of commu- posal would take it up to $30,000 a year. talking about Main Street. What is in- nity work, with approximately $1,500 of Mr. KINGSTON. Let me interrupt teresting is to think the National Tax- that going to college expenses. The rest you one minute. As I recall, President payers Union estimates that all of us of the $25,000 goes to the bureaucracy. Clinton increased taxes on Social Secu- spend basically the first 6 months of This is the President’s idea of effi- rity in 1993. each year working to pay for the total cient and effective spending? Going to Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. That is cost of Federal, State, and local gov- the volunteer himself is $7,500, and the correct. ernments. If you actually break that balance, well, minus the college tui- Mr. KINGSTON. What you are saying down on a daily basis, it means that tion, is going to the bureaucrats. That is we are repealing the Clinton Social everybody goes to work in the morn- is what we need to change in Washing- Security tax increase. ing, they spend the entire morning ton. If it is a good program, certainly Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. And as working for somebody else, they break the President should want to try to re- well allowing the seniors to earn more for lunch, and then they get to spend form it and change it. than $11,280 a year without having a the afternoon working for themselves Mr. SANFORD. Where I grew up back bite out of social security, both. and their families. What I am hearing in South Carolina, volunteering was Mr. KINGSTON. I guess since the from folks is that does not make com- actually volunteering. Aside from hav- Democrats voted for that social secu- mon sense. ing philosophical questions about being H 170 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 paid to volunteer, I think it goes back Mr. KINGSTON. Here is another ex- To give you an idea of that, again, to what Davy Crockett said on the ample of a program gone amuck. This the budget is constantly talked about House floor, again more than 100 years was sent to me by Mr. E.R. Lott of as being extreme, extreme, extreme. ago, and that was this whole notion of Folkston, GA. It is a copy of a letter to Yet, over the past 7 years, we spent there are a lot of good things we would the editor by Brenton Bradbury in $492 billion on welfare. What is pro- like to do for other folks, but when we Jacksonville to the Florida Times posed here with the next 7 years is $878 are spending other people’s money to Union. billion on welfare. That does not seem do so, I think which have to pause a It said, extreme to me. It seems to me it pre- real long time. An expensively dressed woman came into serves the helping hand nature, but it Mr. KINGSTON. That is exactly my office a few days ago to rent a house I ends that hand-out nature. right. Here is another example of a had advertised in the paper. I took a chance Mr. KINGSTON. Also, what our pro- good program that went bad, the and rented the house to her, despite her bad gram does is lets States have some credit, because her income was good. She Earned Income Tax Credit. Now, the flexibility. I was in Savannah talking Earned Income Tax Credit, the idea paid the month’s rent and a security deposit, a total of $1,130 in cash. to a caseworker a month ago, and he was to get people off of public assist- What makes this situation remark- said, you know, I could use some flexi- ance. But since they would not be mak- bility. If you combine the WIC program ing as much in the private sector im- able is that this household’s very sub- stantial income, expected to exceed with AFDC, I will have some money mediately as they were when they were and more latitude to help the people on welfare basically, then you give $46,000 this year, is derived entirely from the Government and welfare pro- who need it, and you can get rid of them a tax credit so they would have some bureaucrats and I can do my job extra money for housing and food and grams. This 36-year-old mother of four teenage children also has her elderly better. insurance, and so forth. I believe we need to have State flexi- I think that is very noble, and Ron- disabled mother living with her. One of bility, and that is what the block ald Reagan supported it, and TOM the teenagers is retarded, one is preg- granting is all about. The other thing PETRI, who is one of our best members nant. When I added up the various in- of our conference, has been a champion come amounts listed in the rental ap- our program does is says if you are able of that in the past. plication, I was astounded, then angry. to work, you have to work. If you are But in 1993 that program was ex- I telephoned the Florida Department disabled, you have 435 Members of Con- panded, and expanded rapidly, and here of Health and Rehabilitative Services gress who want to help you out. But if is what some of our colleagues on the and learned it is all perfectly legal. you can work, we believe it is time. other side of the aisle are doing to cap- Their monthly income includes two Remember, again, we have a $4 tril- italize on the fact this is basically free welfare checks totaling $1,510, an Aid lion debt, almost 5, and again, we are money. This is an actual mailing that to Families with Dependent Children spending $50,000 per second as a Federal went out to constituents of a Member check for $214, food stamps worth $440, Government already. It is time to get of Congress. Listen to this. a Housing and Urban Development these things under control. housing check for $550, Medicaid bene- Now, another program that the Put some money in your pocket. The President does not want to reform, Earned Income Tax Credit. You may be fits worth $550 a month, and a pro- does not want to give an inch on, is the eligible for as much as $2,258 tax credit. jected $426 per month from AFDC when student loan program. I have a Septem- See details on back. Come clean. Your the daughter’s new baby arrives. ber 24 article written by Joseph Per- money. Did you work in ‘94? He goes on to say that, ‘‘In addition, they will have a housekeeper come in kins, which also was in the Savannah What is ironic about this is you don’t Morning News. He talks about the even have to work now under the Clin- twice a week at a cost of $242 a month that is paid for by the government.’’ White House, President Clinton’s visit ton changes, you can prefile and get to Southern Illinois University. He your money advanced before you actu- It goes on and on and on. But it says talked to student leaders at a round- ally do the work. It says you are eligi- their household income is $46,784.08, and it is all legal. table. ble if this and that. ‘’Even if you do not There was press there, his PR press, owe income tax, you can get EIC. Want Then Mr. Bradbury concludes, ‘‘Ever which we know is the network news, more information?’’ Call another toll- wonder where your tax dollars are surrounding him to show this real live free number, the IRS. going? This is out of control. This is I have deleted the Member’s picture something that is scary.’’ thing. But what Mr. Perkins says, un- for decorum purposes, but it has a pic- Now, I know we could make the case fortunately, the White House carefully ture of the Member of Congress. It has and others will make the case that this screened all the students who were let his address, and it has his office num- women deserves every penny of it, and in the room so the only people who got ber, and so forth. perhaps she needs or the baby needs to talk to the President were the ones So obviously what Members of Con- some of this money. But $46,000 a year? who were in complete agreement. He gress are doing with the Earned Income Basically by taking advantage of gov- said there was one guy, a 24-year-old Tax Credit are not doing this as a ernment programs? William Karrow, president of Southern champion of the poor. This is a paid This is the real world, this is a real Illinois Graduate Student Council, who brochure. It is a public money give- world case. Any Member of this House had the audacity to suggest that away. The bottom line here is not to who wants a copy of that article, I will maybe the President was picturing a help the poor; the bottom line is to be glad to send it to them. But this is distorted picture, and the White House keep people in Congress and keep the where your money is going. This is why bounced him out of the room and he poor dependent on them. ‘‘Hey, you we are trying to reform government. was asked to leave the room. want your check? Send me back to We are trying to do this not mali- So on the evening news, the Presi- Congress.’’ That is totally wrong and ciously. We are saying, you know, you dent got the kind of coverage he was totally against the spirit of what a can help people, but you do not have to looking for, carefully selected adoring public assistance program is. give it all away to do it. students promising that he would fight Mr. SANFORD. I would simply agree Mr. SANFORD. I think this is what to protect their loans from the GOP. with the gentleman in that there are really gets underneath the skin of folks Now, here is what Mr. Perkins says too many things with the way Wash- back home, these kinds of horror sto- about the Republican plan. Student ington works that do not reward sav- ries. I think what we also have to re- loans will actually increase 50 percent ings, they do not reward investment, member, we proposed fairly radical over the next 7 years. They will go they do not reward hard work, and a welfare reform, which I think is abso- from $24 to $36 billion. Now, in addition lot of things in essence are tied to feed- lutely needed. But at the same time, I to that, Mr. Perkins goes on to point ing people in essence with a spoon, think what we are doing is preserving out that Pell grants have increased to keeping them tied to the government that hand-up element to welfare. In the highest level, and he alks about the knot, rather than having them out other words, when people are really TRIO Program and the supplemental there. Again, what we need to reward down, what we have said is we are not education opportunity grants going to in American society is initiative. going to abandon them. $583 million, the TRIO Program, which January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 171 is flat and goes strictly to basically I think there is an exciting oppor- because 20 years ago, or over 20 years disadvantaged students, $463 million. tunity out there to let, for example, ago now, when the EPA was started, This is what is happening with stu- the counties, and I represent 22 coun- their organizations were not in exist- dent loans. The Republican Party is ties in the First District of Georgia, ence, and they have grown over 20 not trying to rip the guts out of stu- and I know the gentleman has multiple years. There is a lot that has come for- dent loans, but the President will not counties in South Carolina, to let our ward in the States in terms of environ- even admit that there are problems own counties control our own poverty, mental cleanup, in terms of health with it. For example, as you know, the our own health care, our own ways of care, and in terms of poverty and so direct loan program lost $1.5 billion doing business. Does that mean that forth. last year. We are just trying to correct Government will be gone at $12 trillion So just because the Federal Govern- it and make it more efficient. But at over the next 7 years? There is no way. ment is withdrawing its horns every so the same time, we are trying to in- The Federal Government is not going slightly in certain areas, it does not crease student loans 50 percent. away, but the Federal Government is mean that there is not a presence of Mr. SANFORD. I think what you are taking a step back and saying, hey, pollution enforcement or helping pov- really getting at is the relatively grad- maybe there is a lot of brilliance back erty programs or public assistance ben- ual nature that is being proposed. home. efits and so forth. And yet that is what Again, what we are talking about is I yield to the gentleman. we are charged with over and over overall Federal spending still going up Mr. SANFORD. I think what the gen- again. It is an absolute distortion of by 2.4 percent each year. To give you tleman is getting at is balance, because what really is going on here. I think what we both recognize is that an idea in relative terms of where that Mr. SANFORD. I would agree. over the years the Federal Government stands, take, for instance, right now Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I want has done a lot of good things, whether our deficit is basically 2.2 percent of to conclude with this. Our vision is to that is with helping in cleaning up the whole economy. In France, it is have a balanced budget. We are not some of the rivers that were burning about 2.5 percent, and in Sweden it is cutting the budget and we are not not that long ago, or whether it has about 7.5 percent. freezing it. We are increasing spending been with educational programs, or As you know, those countries have 3 trillion new dollars over the next 7 bringing us out of the Great Depres- proposed cutting back on the size of years. The President wants to increase sion, or bringing us through World War their government. But what is interest- it $4 trillion over the next 7 years. We II. The Federal Government has done a ing is we proposed to do this over 7 can negotiate that. That is the Amer- lot of good things, but the pendulum years. France has proposed to do it ican part. has swung too far over here, and what Mr. SANFORD. I would say, in the over 2 years. Sweden has proposed to I hear from back home is it has done a do it over 3 years. What that means is midst of that debate, I have talked to lot of wonderful things, but it is too far folks back home, and they get awfully the slowing of the rate of government over here, because we want a little that they are proposing, or the cuts in frustrated with the seeming fractious- greater hand in educating our children. ness over Washington, yet what I tell government they are proposing, are We want a greater hand in how we folks at home is let us keep it all in eight times as great in Sweden, and spend the hours of our day. We want to perspective. We can look at a place three times as great in France. have a little greater hand in deciding a like, for instance, Cuba, and we look at So, again, it goes back to, I think, whole host of things; and, therefore, we any kind of disagreement basically the reasonableness nature that you just have to bring the pendulum back being squashed because there is a dic- were getting at. over here a bit, so that we at the indi- Mr. KINGSTON. But, you know, a vidual level or the county level or at tatorial rule, or we look at a host of speaker earlier tonight, the gentleman the State level are making those deci- places around the globe and we see peo- from California [Mr. DELLUMS] raised a sions rather than the bureaucrat in ple solving problems with guns rather very good point, and his point was that Washington. than with words. And what we have this is a profound debate. I agree with Mr. KINGSTON. That is right, and going on right here, as messy as it is, him. This is a profound debate, because when the gentleman thinks about, I have heard that saying, that if one we are talking about two different vi- well, the Government is getting out of likes sausage, do not watch it being sions of government. this, there are 163 different job training made. I guess the same is true with de- Now, the gentleman from South programs. Now, if we cut 25 of them out mocracy. But what we have here is ev- Carolina earlier tonight talked about or 20 of them out, the headline would erybody yanking on the level of gov- ancient civilizations that had fallen be- be Republican party cuts out 20 job ernment control that was afforded cause of financial problems, and so training programs. They will not say them by the Founding Fathers; the forth. But the other thing that they there are 143 of them still around. And Congress with its power to appropriate, have fallen, or the other consequence yet, in addition, there are a lot of and the President with his power to has actually been war, civil wars, in- State programs and even local pro- veto, all within the confines of a sys- ternal strifes, coups, assassinations, grams. tem that the Founding Fathers cre- and so forth. The EPA. We are getting a lot of crit- ated. I think that is kind of exciting. I am proud we are not doing that in icism now for cutting EPA, and we Mr. KINGSTON. That is right, and we America. But when I draw that par- have not passed that bill. These things are debating, along with the 3 trillion allel, I am not totally off the farm are being negotiated. But recently I new dollars versus the 4 trillion new here, because we are talking about a had the opportunity to talk to the Na- dollars, we are debating the role of gov- fundamental change in government. tional Association of State EPA coun- ernment and releasing power out of the We are talking about shifting power terparts. I do not know the exact name hands of Washington bureaucrats and from one group, basically a group in of their organization, but these were empowering citizens, friends and neigh- Washington who wants to handle and folks who were basically State EPA di- bors, and putting it on the streets and control everything, to another group rectors, and I thought, man, I am walk- in the cities and counties all across outside of Washington, and those peo- ing into a lion’s den, but here is what America. ple are your neighbors, your associates I found. The benefits of what we are doing, if at work, the folks at the grocery store, No. 1, I found capable, intelligent, we can balance the budget in 7 years, people that you see on the city streets. bright people, people who were close to as Alan Greenspan said, interest rates They are regular, normal people. the polluted river, close to the smoke- will go down. If interest rates go down, stack that was putting the dirty air in we will have lower home mortgages, b 2100 the atmosphere, and they were very lower student loans, lower car pay- And what we want to do is go back to much on top of the situation. They had ments, but probably most importantly a time in America where those folks a lot more hands-on experience than is that we will have more jobs and control their own destiny, their own people in Washington. more prosperity in the economy. towns, their own communities and No. 2, what I found is that they were Now, this is a very difficult process. make their own decisions. not afraid of the EPA stepping back, We are going to go through with it. As H 172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 we started out saying earlier, we be- other Ronald Reagan program called Let us be clear about what is happen- lieve that it is time. It is timely to get the alternate minimum tax. For those ing here. The President of the United the Federal Government employees who do not know what the alternate States, the Democrats, responsible Re- back to work. We want to pay those minimum tax is, this is a tax that the publicans all agree that it is time to folks who are working. We want to get richest corporations in the United end the Government shutdown and it is the ones who are not working back on States pay. time for Speaker GINGRICH and the the job, and we think that is the right President Reagan, with very good right wing extremists in the House to thing to do. thought and vision, put this into prac- stop holding America’s seniors hostage We want to move that issue from the tice, because oftentimes the richest to their political games. It is power table, or speaking at least for myself, corporations in this country, when politics at its worst, is what we are so that we can get to this focus on the they took all of their deductions, watching. 7-year balanced budget. I am hearing a would find that they had a zero tax ob- BOB DOLE, and I don’t have the quote lot of people saying, of course, I sup- ligation. He thought, as did others, up here, but I will get it, BOB DOLE, the port a balanced budget, but they did that it would be unfair to have that Republican majority leader of the not vote for it and they have not co- occur, that the richest corporations in other body, wants to reopen the Gov- sponsored one. There are Democrats the country would not be paying some ernment. He said enough is enough, and Republicans who have voted for a portion or a fair share of taxes the way and he is right. He is absolutely right. balanced budget and have cosponsored that ordinary Americans pay their He said that this has gone about as far one, but there are a lot who have not. taxes. So he put in a 20 percent rate, as it can go. We need now to put people I do not believe a Member has the and the Congress approved of a 20 per- back to work. right to come to the well and say they cent rate on the richest corporations in I don’t want to misquote the major- support a budget if they do not have the country. ity leader. This is what he says. ‘‘I one at this point, because the people of Into that tax package that the Re- don’t see any sense in what we have America pay us $134,000 a year not just publicans are proposing, the $245 bil- been doing. I would hope that we would to criticize what the other side is doing lion tax break package, the alternate have quick action in the House. People but to bring our own ideas to the table. minimum tax is repealed, repealed, have been gone from their jobs long If Members have their own ideas, they which means that, once again, if this enough. Enough is enough.’’ can criticize mine, but if they are just passes and is law, that the richest cor- b 2115 sitting there criticizing without a plan porations in the United States will And that quote was on January 2, of their own, maybe they should return have a zero tax obligation. It is a $17 1996. some of their paycheck permanently. billion windfall to the richest corpora- Now, how are seniors affected by the With that, Mr. Speaker, we yield tions. shutdown of the Federal Government? back the balance of our time. Mr. Speaker, I want to remind my That is what my colleagues and I are f Republican colleagues about that, and here to talk about tonight. In my own I also want to remind the listening district, the Third District of Connecti- REPUBLICANS’ GOVERNMENT public that what Mr. Kemp says, that SHUTDOWN AFFECTS THE COUN- cut, the Veterans Hospital in West tampering with the earned income tax Haven Connecticut cannot now legally TRY’S MOST VULNERABLE CITI- credit, which the Republican package ZENS pay for anything. They must depend on does in cutting the earned income tax vendors to continue to provide, with- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. credit, is an increase on taxes for work- out payment, food, hearing aids, glass- METCALF). Under the Speaker’s an- ing families at the same time as my es, medical supplies, ambulance serv- nounced policy of May 12, 1995, the gen- Republican colleagues are decreasing ices and all of the lifesaving treat- tlewoman from Connecticut [Ms. taxes for the richest corporations in ments provided our Nation’s veterans. DELAURO] is recognized for 60 minutes this Nation. Mr. Vincent Ng, the director of VA as the designee of the minority leader. No wonder the public said to the Hospitals in Connecticut, said ‘‘We will Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, before President of the United States, 60 per- do whatever is necessary to care for my colleagues and I get started this cent of the public said veto Mr. GING- our patients. We hope our contractors evening, I would just like to make one RICH’s budget bill and do not balance will support the needs of the medical comment about the commentary of the the budget on the backs of seniors and centers during this crisis situation so prior speaker having to do with the Medicare and Medicaid, and on stu- that we will be able to maintain our earned income tax credit, a program dents and education, and on working full standard of patient care.’’ that, I might add, was started by Presi- families with being unfair to them in Our Nation’s veterans should not be dent Ronald Reagan. And to refresh terms of taxes. forced into paying for the failings of people’s memories, he was a Repub- My colleagues are here tonight so this Congress. Men and women who lican President of the United States. that we may have an opportunity to have put their lives on the line for this President Reagan started the program talk about something that is on every- Congress and for this country deserve to help to keep working families off of one’s minds, everyone’s lips, and it is better than that. welfare. in all of the news. And what we have Mr. Speaker, it is just not the veter- I might also remind my colleagues of tried to do is to organize a special ans who are being hurt, but those who the words of another Republican, Mr. order tonight on behalf of the millions care for them as well. One VA em- Jack Kemp, and these were his words of senior citizens in this country and ployee called my office today to ex- in October of 1995, and again I quote. ‘‘I their families who are sitting at their plain that he had received a paycheck hope you guys’’, making reference to kitchen tables tonight struggling to of one week’s pay and two weeks’ the Republicans, ‘‘do not go too far on cope with the impact of the Govern- worth of deductions. He called because removing the EITC, because that is a ment shutdown. Day No. 20. he does not have any money for food. tax increase on low-income workers Our seniors, including many of this We made a reference for him and we di- and the poor, which is unconscionable Nation’s veterans, live on fixed in- rected him to the nearest food bank, to at this time.’’ comes. They do not have money to fall the nearest food pantry. Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, would back on when their benefits are cut off. He is not alone. The plight of the VA my friend yield for 30 seconds? Now, these vulnerable citizens have be- employees in my district prompted Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I want come pawns in what is a very, very Mayor Richard Borer of West Haven, to finish my commentary and then get cynical political game being played by CT, to make a public plea for donations into our program, so I want to finish House Republicans, who are refusing to to the local food shelters to help feed what I am going to say here. open the Federal Government, despite workers who are now not being paid. I might also say that it is interesting what they tell the public. They had the The people who care for our veterans that in the tax break package that is opportunity to open the Federal Gov- deserve better. being offered by the Republican major- ernment 12 times, the latest was yes- The crisis facing our elderly veterans ity in this House that there was an- terday. extends to every single State in this January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 173 Nation. If the Government shutdown to have the courage, have the courage The interest rates on these loans will continues, veterans benefits may run to do the right thing, to show their al- be picked up by New Jersey taxpayers, out. New claims are not being paid for legiance to the American people in- while these same taxpayers watch serv- VA pensions, rehabilitation counseling, stead of their allegiance to NEWT GING- ices deteriorate. education, and home loans. RICH. Join us to reopen the Government Mr. Speaker, this is costing us Programs that provide food to the el- and restore the services that the tax- money. Our constituents are seeing derly are also in jeopardy if the Gov- payers have paid for and are paying for less and less services and they are ernment shutdown continues. Funding every single day that this Government going to have to pay more for it. If we for the Meals on Wheels Program has is shut down. We only need 20 good Re- look at the services provided to the el- evaporated. To understand how many publicans, 20 patriots. derly under the Older Americans Act, seniors rely on this service, let me The 20-day Government shutdown is they are very much threatened right again give an example of one of the affecting more and more Americans. now in the State of New Jersey. In Meals on Wheels providers in my dis- Seniors have been hit extremely hard, Middlesex County in my district, over trict. and remember, most older Americans 11,000 seniors directly benefit from the The New Haven Community Action live on extremely limited monthly Older American Act programs, includ- Agency provides meals to 2,000 senior budgets and are not able to compensate ing Meals on Wheels. citizens every single day. Some 600,000 for the loss of vital Federal benefits. The State is seeking to provide my elderly Americans face the loss of Our Nation’s veterans and other sen- county Offices on Aging with just Meals on Wheels, transportation, and ior citizens should not be asked to pay enough money to keep the Meals on personal care. What are we about in the price of the Gingrich Government Wheels and the senior nutrition pro- this Nation? What are these people shutdown. grams going for the rest of this month, doing to seniors and to veterans in this Mr. Speaker, I now yield time to my but all the other programs funded country? colleagues who have joined me on the under the Older Americans Act are The Meals on Wheels program in my floor tonight so we can engage in a dia- threatened. This includes home health State has suffered a 40 percent cut in log and discussion on this issue. I yield care, visiting nurses, critical care man- funding because of the shutdown. It is to my colleague from New Jersey, Mr. agement, friendly visits, information unclear how much longer we will be FRANK PALLONE, who has been a real referral services, legal services. There able to carry the Federal Government’s warrior in this effort to reopen our is no money available for these pro- responsibilities to feed our elderly. Government and real friend of Ameri- grams, many of which are essential for In addition, Federal funds to States ca’s senior citizens. seniors’ well-being and avoiding insti- for Medicaid have been severely lim- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want tutionalization. ited. On December 27, States received to thank the gentlewoman from Con- I know that the gentlewoman from only 40 percent of the estimated quar- necticut [Ms. DELAURO] for yielding to Connecticut [Ms. DELAURO] has always terly payment for Medicaid. Without me tonight, and also to praise her for stressed, as I have, preventive care. We further action, the Federal match for the fact that she is focusing tonight on do not have any prevention anymore Medicaid and its 36 million bene- how the shutdown particularly affects during the shutdown. Another example ficiaries of the Medicaid program, two- senior citizens and veterans. is the loss of money for emergency thirds are elderly and the disabled. I think it is important that we zero housing assistance for seniors who can- While the House Republican leader- in on certain groups, because I think not pay the rent. ship refuses to reopen the Government, that is what the Republican Majority We know that nationwide 10,000 So- the Republican leadership in this body has done. Last night we talked a great cial Security workers have been laid continue to take their paychecks. deal about the EPA and environment off, putting a strain on the entire oper- These same Republican leaders prom- and health and safety measures that ation during what is the busiest month ised last year that they were going to are not being taken during the shut- of the year, the beginning of the year. make this Congress live under the down because the Republican majority And it has been impossible for seniors same rules as everybody else, but today effectively zeroed in on environmental to get through to the 800 number in the while seniors worry about the fate of protection and quality of life issues northeast region, and my office got a elderly feeding programs, while veter- and has taken it upon themselves not lot of calls complaining about this. Ap- ans’ health services are jeopardized, only to shut down EPA and other such parently, because of the lapse of the while seniors are suffering, the con- agencies, but also to cut back on fund- tax on airline tickets, the airline 800 gressional paychecks just keep on com- ing and cripple these agencies in the numbers have been swamped with calls ing to the leaders, to Mr. GINGRICH. future. and, therefore, that blocks the use of Mr. Speaker, I am returning my con- I think we are seeing the same thing the Social Security 800 number. It gressional pay back to the U.S. Treas- happen with senior citizens. This whole sounds like a minor impact, but it is ury and will continue to do so until the debate over the budget is largely a very important. Government is reopened. function of Medicare and Medicaid. The Mr. Speaker, I called the Small Busi- If Speaker GINGRICH and the right fact that Democrats are opposed to the ness Administration in New York-New wing extremists in the House of Rep- idea of giving huge tax breaks to Jersey and found it shut down com- resentatives who are keeping this Gov- wealthy Americans and taking money pletely and this affects the statewide ernment closed were forced to put their away from Medicare and Medicaid in SCORE program, in which retired busi- paychecks on the line, I think the cri- order to fund those tax breaks. nessmen provide assistance to small sis would be over in a heartbeat. Well, senior citizens are mostly im- businesses and other businesses which The President, Democrats, and Re- pacted by cuts in Medicare as well as help accommodate the elderly. publicans in the U.S. Senate all want Medicaid, and I think it is no surprise, Mr. Speaker, I want to talk briefly to reopen the Government and stop in- therefore, that a lot of the impact of about veterans. Every work day that flicting pain on our seniors and veter- this shutdown is falling squarely on Congress fails to provide funding to the ans. But a small band of extremists in senior citizens and also on veterans. Department of Veterans Affairs, 500 this body are holding America hostage. I just wanted, if I could, to spend a widows and other beneficiaries will not Yesterday, when the Democrats voted couple of minutes talking about what be paid the proceeds of veterans life in- to try to reopen the Government, only is happening in my home State of New surance policies. There is no staff 2 Republicans were brave enough to Jersey. New Jersey right now is facing available to handle the claims because join us. Only 2. a financial crisis because of the Fed- of the furloughs. Think about it. How Democrats need 20 good Republicans. eral Government shutdown. It is par- would my colleagues like it if their Twenty. Mr. Speaker, 197 Democrats ticularly impacting senior citizens. spouse was unable to collect their life are prepared to have voted to reopen In order to pay for human services in insurance benefits if they were to die? this Government. We need 20 Repub- New Jersey, the State borrowed yester- For this reason alone, I think the Re- lican votes. So, I am pleading with my day $250 million to pay for Social Secu- publicans should support the continu- colleagues on the other side of the aisle rity services for the poor and elderly. ing resolution. H 174 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 As my colleague from Connecticut cause the issue has been what it always those 1981 tax cuts, we would have a mentioned, employees of veterans hos- has been, what are our priorities in surplus budget today. pitals are being forced to work without this budget. We all want to see our fis- So let us understand where this prob- pay. I commend them for their dedica- cal house be put in order. lem originated, and here we are, deja tion, but these employees are going to A $245 billion tax break for the vu. We are going to do the same thing lose their motivation to work for the wealthiest Americans is not putting all over again. We are going to start VA at some point. We are talking our fiscal house in order, especially at out with tax cuts that are politically about veterans who dedicated their the expense of Medicare, Medicaid, edu- popular, and then, now, the Repub- lives to this country. I just think it is cation, and the environment. licans are promising, ‘‘Well, we are not totally outrageous. Our Republican colleagues would like going to do that, just tax cuts. We are The gentlewoman from Connecticut to continue to mask what they are going to cut your programs.’’ Wait and mentioned Medicare and Medicaid. It is doing, and I thank the gentleman for see. reported in today’s Star Ledger, which bringing that issue up again. The President cannot in good con- is our largest circulation daily in New I now yield to the gentleman from science accept such a dramatic cut in a Jersey, that in the State Human Serv- Virginia [Mr. MORAN], who has rep- program like Medicare when two-thirds ices Department, the Secretary has resented Federal employees in the of the cut goes into tax cuts. But it is said that the department faces the very, very best manner possible. not just dollars and cents, as the gen- greatest potential for disruption at Mr. FROST. If the gentlewoman will tlewoman and gentleman have been this point. Each day the Federal dis- yield for just a moment, I have just emphasizing night after night. We pute goes on, the likelihood increases been informed, for members of the know that about 60 percent of the Med- that a scheduled $130 million payment Committee on Rules who may be icare population only cost the system for Medicaid is going to be delayed and, watching this debate, that the Com- about $500 a year. Ninety percent of of course, Medicaid, the majority of it, mittee on Rules will meet at 10 o’clock Medicare beneficiaries cost the Medi- is used for medical care or nursing this evening, in 30 minutes, to consider care Program less than $1,300 a year. home care for senior citizens. a resolution on this particular matter The Republican plan, and they are Let us look at the headlines of some of the Government shutdown. We do absolutely right, it does increase each of the papers about how our State, New not know all the details, but that there year, it starts by giving vouchers of Jersey, is really feeling the impact of will be a Committee on Rules meeting about $4,800 a year and goes up to this, and again the major impact or a at 10, and I hope that something con- about $6,800. But think of this: If 90 significant part of the impact is on sen- structive will come from that. percent of your population is only ior citizens and veterans. I just think Ms. DELAURO. I thank the gen- going to cost about $1,300 and you are it is so unfair. So many of us started tleman. I would encourage members of getting a voucher of $4,800, there is a this whole budget debate, if you will, the Committee on Rules to find their tremendous profit to be made. How? By and came to the floor months ago be- way to the Committee on Rules by 10 avoiding the 10 percent who cost the cause we were concerned about the im- o’clock. system $29,000 a year. pact of these Republican cuts on Med- Mr. MORAN. I thank the gentle- And the reason the President cannot icaid and Medicare, and now we are woman from Connecticut for yielding accept this Medicare plan is not just seeing the same senior citizens imme- to me, but more importantly for her the cuts that go into tax breaks but it diately affected by this Government continuing commitment to educate not restructures the program. It tears shutdown. just her constituents but this great Na- down a fundamental concept, what we I wanted to say one thing, and I will tion on what issues are at stake here, think is an American principle. It is yield back, which is that I am some- why we have come to this crisis. called community rating. That is the what encouraged by the fact that the It is a contrived crisis in terms of the technical term. But what it says is we gentlewoman mentioned that we only Government shutdown. But the Amer- are all in this together. Those 10 per- need 20 Republicans in order to get this ican people need to understand why the cent of the people that cost the system continuing resolution passed and the President cannot in good conscience $29,000 in a year, they could be any of Government open again. I heard that accept the Republican 7-year plan, as our parents or grandparents. We do not yesterday in the Republican conference the gentlewoman from Connecticut and know who it is going to be. But if there were 54 Republicans who wanted the gentleman from New Jersey have somebody has to have that help to stay to vote for that. Really, the blame now continually emphasized he cannot. I do alive, has to have that expensive treat- is entirely on the Republican House not think any President could in good ment, the American people feel that it leadership, on Speaker GINGRICH and conscience, knowing that it only takes is the right thing to meet that need. the others, because they are afraid to $90 billion to make the Medicare Pro- That is community rating, and if some- bring this up because they know if they gram solvent, cut the Medicare Pro- body needs it, then the money will be bring up the continuing resolution, we gram by $270 billion so that you can there. That is what insurance is sup- will get enough Republican votes to take $180 billion and pay it out in tax posed to be all about. pass this with all the Democrats. Hope- cut for the most affluent Americans. But when you turn it over, when you fully reason will prevail and if we keep In my State of Virginia, only 3.7 per- privatize it, when you turn it over to this up, as the gentlewoman has so cent of the entire population of the managed care, what it will do is to set well, we are going to see some light State of Virginia would get the major- all of these various insurance compa- over the next few days. ity of those tax breaks. Now, they may nies who have as their motive profit, Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank all live in my district, but the point is, the Medicare program costs about 1.2 the gentleman from New Jersey. I even so, it is wrong, and we do not percent in administrative costs, and think that it is largely because it is want him to accept such a substantial managed care companies, and many of what BOB DOLE said: ‘‘Enough is cut in a high-priority national program them are wonderful, but their average enough.’’ And it was a bipartisan con- in order to make the kinds of tax cuts profit was about 20 percent last year. sensus in the Senate to bring people that put us in this situation in the first Twenty percent of the premium goes back to work, let them earn their pay, place. into profit. They are going to go out, and let us then sort out what budget If it were not for those tax cuts in their bottom line being profit, and they differences that we have. 1981, we would be in a surplus today, are going to target this 90 percent of and, in fact, we probably would not the Medicare program that will not b 2130 even have a Federal debt. It is the in- cost them much to provide care for, I also just want to mention one point terest we are paying on the debt in- and they are going to make a tremen- because I am so delighted that you curred during the Reagan administra- dous profit. brought it up before I yield to the gen- tion alone, just that debt, the interest In fact, in the 15 States where we did tleman from Virginia, that it is this on that debt is greater than the deficit test cases, very interesting, it cost the whole notion of focusing on balanced today, which means if it were not for Medicare program more money because budget is just political posturing, be- the debt incurred primarily because of by managed care companies going in, January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 175 targeting this population, making it treating people without dignity, with- doing here is just saying we are going very difficult for anybody that is really out respect, in inhumane ways. That is to block grant, we are going to cut the sick or infirm to go in to many of the what we are afraid of. That is why we amount of money available, we are managed care plans, they stay in fee- do not want the President to accept going to send it to the States, and we for-service. And they wind up segment- what we call structural changes. They are going to let the State decide ing the population, and that 10 percent are profound changes. They are threats whether or not they want to cover cer- winds up being really dependent upon to the entire concept, all the values tain people and what kind of benefits public hospitals at a much greater ex- that we have established throughout they want to give them. pense. That is what is going to happen our generation, for the last 50 years, Now, we know that is going to mean under this program. based upon the principle that everyone a lot of seniors who are now in nursing That 10 percent is not going to get deserves respect, dignity, everybody homes are not going to be eligible for the care they need. In fact, they are has an opportunity to live out their nursing home care paid for through going to pay astronomical costs even- lives with some concern, some care, Medicaid. We know a lot of disabled tually in out-of-pocket expenses for and their family, even if they cannot people are probably not going to be on care that they desperately need. That afford it, to be able to be sure that the eligibility list. is what it is all about. their loved one is not going to be Of course, all the other things built The medical savings accounts that abused. That is what we are talking into the Federal program that you we hear so much about, it is touted so about: abused, exploited, and treated mentioned, the nursing home stand- much, and, of course, just follow the without human dignity. We cannot ards, the fact that they cannot go after money trail. We know why it got into allow this country to go back to the in- certain spousal assets or go after the the bill in the first place: because of all humane conditions that gave rise to assets of children, all of these things the substantial donations to GOPAC these protections. That would be evis- are thrown by the wayside. So we are and so on. cerated in this bill. It is wrong. The talking about the end of Medicaid as But the point is that last year the President cannot in good conscience we know it, and unless there is some principal insurance company that of- accept it. sort of Federal guarantee that the peo- fers medical savings accounts, of the Those are some of the reasons why ple who now receive Medicaid would insurance premiums that they re- we are in the situation we are in, and continue to receive it, the President ceived, 40 percent went for profit. Only they are reasons why the President cannot possibly agree to this. 60 percent of the premiums they re- cannot yield. What we have to do is go So it is not just a question of split- ceived went for medical care. So now back to the way we have always done ting the numbers. You know, the Re- we want to turn this over to a national things in the past, get a continuing publicans, I think are talking about program where 40 percent of the pre- resolution, an interim spending bill, let cutting $185 billion in Medicaid, and miums the American people pay are the Government function, try to work the President has said, well, perhaps going to go into corporate profit in- things out. Then, if it comes to it, let the program can be cut by $35 billion or stead of medical care? No. We cannot next November be a national referen- so. It is not just a question of splitting allow it to be done. And that is what is dum on such profound issues. the numbers. This is a profound dif- I thank the gentlewoman from Con- happening. That is why the President ference. necticut for giving me the opportunity cannot accept it. The Republicans are trying to basi- to spend some time with you. Just quickly on Medicaid, that may cally eliminate the Medicaid Program Ms. DELAURO. I thank the gen- be a worse situation. In Medicaid, the as we know it. The same is true for Governor of Virginia was one of the tleman. Thank you for going through those various programs. Medicare. Governors, Republican Governors, who I yield to the gentleman from New Mr. MORAN. If the gentlewoman wrote a letter asking that onerous pro- Jersey. would yield for just a moment for a re- visions be removed from the Medicaid Mr. PALLONE. I just wanted to add sponse, it is also true that there will no program. What were the onerous provi- something, because I am so glad that longer be any guarantee that everyone sions? Spousal impoverishment protec- the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. be treated at least equally within the tion and the regulations that were MORAN] brought up how profound the State. The Governor can discriminate passed during the Reagan administra- differences are in some of these budget geographically, demographically, any tion. The spousal impoverishment pro- issues, particularly Medicare and Med- way they want. It really does come vision, which says that if your spouse icaid. down to the concept of community is in a nursing home, then the State I was very aggravated, if you will, where we all care about our neighbors cannot go and seize your home and last night when I listened to some of versus the concept of survival of the your automobile and all of your assets, our Republican colleagues suggest fittest. that has been weakened by this bill. that, oh, there is nothing really to this, b 2145 So, now, every spouse that has a you know, the President can just sit spouse in a nursing home is threatened down and split the difference on some This debate is instructive, important, with not being able to hold on to their of the numbers in terms of Medicare and we ought to have it. Some people home and their assets. and Medicaid with the Republicans and would say ‘‘Look, if I am young and What President Reagan did was to everything will be fine, and he can sign healthy, I should not have to support protect them up to at least $14,000 of the bill and all the Government em- old and sick people. That is not my re- assets. Gone. ployees can go back to work. sponsibility. I am on my own.’’ And the other thing that the Repub- These are profound differences. Just That is a fair, legitimate point of lican Governors are so insistent about briefly, on the Medicaid issue, which I view. And people in this country ought they do not want the regulations that consider really probably the most im- to make that determination, what this were put in in 1987 in the light of unbe- portant issue, they are talking, the Re- country is all about. lievable abuses in nursing homes where publican leadership, essentially, with Others would say if we can afford to people were living in squalor, where this budget, is talking about destroy- as a Government, then everyone has they were strapped down, where they ing Medicaid as we know it. The whole the right to live in some manner of dig- were drugged so they could not even basis of Medicaid is that if you are nity, with some basic minimal stand- talk, so that you would not have to below a certain income and need health ards of respect and care, because we do provide for them, because when you do insurance, that you are guaranteed the not know when we are going to become provide for them, when you do not drug health insurance and that you are impoverished, become sick, become de- them, when you do not strap them guaranteed a certain package of health pendent upon others. down in bed, then it requires a lot more insurance that provides for health care, Now, the American people ought to personnel. Personnel are expensive. that is necessary for a lot of low-in- make these kinds of choices between If the States are on their own, they come people. the concept of community and the con- are going to be able to fire these per- Again, most of the money goes to pay cept of survival of the fittest. But it sonnel and go back to the old days of for senior citizens, and what they are ought to be done in a knowledgeable H 176 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 way, it ought to be a national referen- has a sense of community, and this is greatly. For instance, we have done dum. That election is 1994, where you really in many ways a question of is it some checking and find out that the had less than 40 percent of the people the survival of the fittest, or are we thousands of black lung recipients, vote, certainly was not a mandate to going to act to take care of each other, these are coal miners who have worked eviscerate, to cast aside the concept of to take care of our fathers and grand- a minimum of 20 years, but most often community that has guided this coun- mothers and grandfathers and mothers 30 or 40 years in the coal mines, and try and made it the greatest country in who went before us. The folks now who have received a determination they are the world at the greatest time ever to are seniors are folks who fought, they 100 percent disabled as a result of pneu- live in the United States of America. went through the Depression, they mococcus, black lung, coal dust in There was no mandate given to do saved this country and the western their lungs. They wake up choking that. world, civilization, for democracy and every morning black dust. The Depart- Now, if the American people want to freedom and justice. And here they are; ment of Labor will not be able to make give that kind of a mandate next No- they struggled all their lives, and these full black lung payments after next vember, they will have an opportunity folks get to the point where they want month if this Government remains to decide. But that is how this ought to to take a deep breath and try to enjoy shut down in the present state it is in. be decided, as a national referendum, the last remaining years, and we are We have many workers, of course, not by holding Federal employees hos- sticking them, they are sticking them, who are retired railroad workers. The tage and by these kinds of tactics of excuse me, with a $1,000 bill basically. Railroad Retirement Board tells us terrorism that we are seeing played out That is what this is about in many that 2,700 retirees in our State will see on the floor of this House day after ways. I could make the same case on a 64-percent reduction in their vested day. Medicaid. Why are we so firm in our dual benefits as a result of this shut- Ms. DELAURO. I would just say it is position with respect to Medicaid? Be- down if it is not alleviated quickly. a question of values, where are our cause 25 percent of the kids in this Medicare vendors will be affected as American values. I think the public has country get their health insurance well. These are people providing serv- a very clear idea of where those values through Medicaid. It is because so ices that Medicare recipients depend are in looking at protecting Medicare many of our seniors depend upon it for upon. They will be affected in the pay- and Medicaid, the education for our long-term care. It is because our dis- ment of their bills. young people, our environment, and abled depend upon it. We have heard a lot about how Meals making sure that working families can Heaven knows, each one of us, some- on Wheels are not affected by this, see their way in this country. That is one in our family could be in that posi- some saying they have been out there what it is about, values. tion at the drop of a hat, and they are. and said in such an area the program I would like to yield to my colleague, So when we fight for Medicaid and we will go indefinitely. That is only if the the minority whip, the gentleman from fight for Medicare, we do it because it local government picks up the share. In Michigan [Mr. BONIOR]. is really an important piece of commu- West Virginia, Meals on Wheels at the Mr. BONIOR. I thank my colleague nity. It is an important piece of this Federal level will not be able to con- for yielding and taking this time this country and what we are all about as tinue after January 15. Yes; the State evening and for engaging in this debate Members of this institution, as mem- can pick up the difference. The prob- and this dialogue. bers of our party. lem is our State, like every other Mr. Speaker, I want to go back, if I So I thank the gentlewoman for tak- State, is trying to anticipate the cuts can, to a theme that we had been talk- ing the time this evening and for giv- that are coming eventually in Medicaid ing about and are still talking about ing us an opportunity to talk about the and the other programs that are so im- that sometimes tends to get lost in effect on seniors. We need to get this portant, and there is no money to go this debate we are now engaged in with Government back working full time. around. respect to the Government, and that is Senator DOLE was absolutely correct, So whether it is black lung, whether the whole question of what we are enough is enough. ‘‘I do not see any it is railroad retirees, whether it is So- fighting for in this budget debate. We sense in what we have been doing,’’ he cial Security recipients, Medicare ven- have talked about that this evening. said. I would hope that we would have dors, all nature of senior citizens, the But I want to reemphasize to people a quick action in this House of Rep- programs attendant to them, the fact the Medicare piece, and why we feel so resentatives. People have been gone that this Government is shut down, strongly about Medicare. from their jobs long enough. Enough is through no fault of their own, means The Department of Labor this year enough. The majority leader said that they will not be getting these services. did an analysis of what the income lev- in the Senate. We need to take him at I might point out, referring to the de- els of our seniors were in this country. his word. bate that is taking place over what the They found that 60 percent, 6-0, 60 per- We are going to try tomorrow to budget should be over the next 7 years, cent of our seniors had incomes of bring up a clean CR. We are going to this is because of the Republican lead- $10,000 a year or less. That is combined try again to get these folks back to ership’s failure to let this Government Social Security and retirement in- work, these services provided to the function. The Senate leadership has come, $10,000 a year or less. American people, so we can get on with said it should function, Republicans Now, what we have witnessed this these budget talks and get on with the and Democrats. Democrats in the year with these Medicare dismantling sense of community. House said it should function. We voted proposals by our colleagues, our Repub- Ms. DELAURO. I thank the minority 12 times to do so. I urge the Republican lican colleagues, is an additional cost whip. I think that you are right. The leadership to take this burden off our out-of-pocket for these people who public wants to see us every day con- seniors while there is still time and be- make $10,000 a year or less of probably tinue to fight on their behalf. So we fore people begin to feel the pain. close to $500. now have had 12 votes on trying to re- Ms. DELAURO. I thank the gen- When you add on top of that what the open this Government. We ought to tleman from West Virginia. I am de- insurance industry plans to charge have as many as necessary, and have lighted to recognize and have join in these people with respect to their one everyday if that is what it takes to this conversation the gentleman from Medigap insurance, you are talking an- reopen this Government. I thank you Louisiana [Mr. FIELDS]. other $300 to $500. We are talking about all for your comments and for your un- Mr. FIELDS of Louisiana. Mr. Speak- 10 percent of their income. believable work in this area. er, I want to thank the gentlewoman That is way we feel so strongly about Mr. WISE. If the gentlewoman would for yielding. I want to commend her this, because the proportion of shared yield, if I could just take 2 minutes at also for her hard work and enthusiasm burden here is not falling the way we the most to just mention what the im- and working for seniors and working think a community ought to deal with pact on seniors is in my state. We have for not only her constituents, but a question of this magnitude. done some checking, and the fact that working for people all across this coun- We are, as the gentleman from Vir- the Government is shut down, a partial try. We certainly thank you for having ginia [Mr. MORAN] said, a country that shutdown, still affects senior citizens this special order. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 177 Let me also echo something that the Let me close by talking a little bit education and other areas, and particu- gentleman from Virginia said. He about Meals on Wheels. The gentleman larly on seniors. talked about those people who are who spoke before me is absolutely Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I, too, clothed with responsibility of regulat- right. That program is affected. In my want to thank my colleague from Con- ing the Social Security have already own state, they are running out of necticut for this special order and stated that it will only need about $90 money, and January 15, the gentleman focus particularly on senior citizens. billion cut, yet Members of the other is right, the state will not have the Senior citizens in New York, senior side of the aisle choose to cut it by money to subsidize this program. So a citizens in my district, certainly are somewhere in the neighborhood of $270 lot of seniors in my district will go experiencing an atmosphere of terror. billion. So that goes to show you how without food. No matter how many times we reassure far we are apart, not only Democrat- These are real issues affecting real them that their Social Security checks Republicans, but Republicans as re- people. So I just wanted to thank the will not be affected by the shutdown; lates to those individuals who are gentlewoman for taking this time and the fact that the shutdown involves the clothed with responsibility of even reg- continue to fight, and I would hope Department of Health and Human ulating these programs. that tonight some meaningful resolu- Services, the fact that Donna Shalala Also, I wanted to make mention of tion will occur in the Committee on has been on television talking about the fact that this is not the first time Rules and tomorrow we can get this the kinds of things that have been hap- we have had a budget impasse. We have government moving again and get peo- pening, even though she reassures peo- had budget impasses year after year ple back to work. ple it will not affect their Social Secu- after year. As a matter of fact, over the Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank rity checks, we keep getting the calls past 12 years, we have had 57 CR’s, the gentleman. I just want to make one about the Social Security checks. where we continue to operate the Gov- point, that someone of our Republican New York, of course, has to bear the ernment, and in the process of operat- colleagues today said on the floor that burden of a mean-spirited and extreme ing the Government we had budget ne- he did not hold the key to opening the approach at three levels. Not only do gotiations. I just find it to be totally Government and put the blame on the we have a shutdown in Washington, but irresponsible. It is irresponsible for the President. we have a mean-spirited approach in Members on the other side of the aisle Well, I would submit to my colleague Albany, where the Governor is trying to hold working people in this country, and all my Republican colleagues that to get ahead of the Republicans here in Federal employees, hostage, while we the voting card, which is what the peo- Congress and has started imposing new try to do and complete the business of ple that voted us to these offices gave rules on nursing homes already. And a this country. us, they gave us this ability, to use this mayor who is also in sync with the cuts If you really look at it in the real card. You do not need a key, you do not of Medicare and Medicaid. They are ap- sense, you will find it is our respon- need a magic bullet, you do not need plauding. sibility to run the Federal Govern- anything else. You need to take this So when we have a mayor and Gov- ment. We have tried, Members of this card and you need to vote ‘‘aye’’ to ernor and we have a shutdown in Wash- side of the aisle have tried time after open this Government. That is what ington, they live in a state of mental time after time to try to pass CR’s, to this is. That is what this is about. terror. Nobody is going to do them get the Government back moving, to physical harm, and probably New York b 2200 get people back to work. We have even State and New York City, they are big said listen, it is irresponsible of us as Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the Mem- enough to borrow the money to keep Members of Congress who are clothed bers of this body will have the oppor- the Meals on Wheels program going with responsibility of running the Gov- tunity tomorrow to take a green card, and any other program going, but the ernment, and half of the Government is to vote ‘‘aye,’’ and to open the Govern- state of terror is such that some people not running, it is irresponsible of us to ment completely. We will have that op- are going to have their lives shortened continue to receive pay. portunity on the previous question on just from worrying themselves to So Members of this side of the aisle the rule. That will be the vote that will death. even went so far to say we are the last say to the American people who wants They are worried because the mayor people who ought to be paid, because it this Government closed and shut down has said he wants to sell hospitals. And is our responsibility, our fiduciary re- and who wants it open; and who wants when he cannot get buyers for the hos- sponsibility, to run this Government. If those services denied the American pitals, now he is willing to lease hos- anybody should be affected by this clo- people, whether it is Head Start pitals. Recently the Governor an- sure, by these pay cuts, it should be us. money, or whether it is contracting nounced he is going to close down one But Members on the other side of the money for NASA projects, whether it is of the largest psychiatric centers, aisle chose not to do that. cleaning up our Superfund waste sites, Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, in my I would hope there would be some all of these questions are going to be district. It is a large hospital, located agreement tonight in the Committee cloaked on whether a Member picks a in a big hospital center, so people on Rules, and on tomorrow I would red card or picks a green card. think he is going to close down Kings hope we could step on this floor and That chance will occur tomorrow. We County Hospital, which is the biggest pass a CR and get this Government have a rule that will be coming out of municipal hospital in the city. moving again. the Committee on Rules very shortly The rumors generate and people are The gentlewoman is right. You are on the floor and it will occur on the very much frightened when they hear talking about seniors. Seniors are af- previous question on the rule. There Medicaid being thrown into the hopper. fected by this. I receive calls everyday are 12 Republican colleagues over here And if there is no Medicaid entitle- from my district. Ms. Bass, who works who have today said they want to sup- ment, that means they are not guaran- for the Social Security office in my port BOB DOLE, the majority leader in teed nursing homes. New York State district, in Louisiana, she calls every the Senate, in having a clean CR and has one of the biggest Medicaid and day. She had a very boring Christmas. putting this Government back to work Medicare programs in the country, and These people live paycheck to pay- and support the Democrats, and I urge they hear on television our State being check. They do not have the luxury of the rest of them to join in doing that criticized for being so generous. I am having thousands upon thousands of so we can get things back on track not so sure we are too generous. We dollars in the bank and in savings. again. have some very good programs and Every nickel, every penny counts. And Ms. DELAURO. We have 197 Demo- take very good care of senior citizens. we ought to be ashamed of ourselves. It crats who are prepared to vote ‘‘aye’’ With all the generosity with respect to is all right to negotiate and it is all to open this Government. We need 20 health care, New York State still sends right to have an impasse as long as ne- good Republicans to do that. to the Federal Government $18 billion gotiations are taking place. But it is I now would like to yield time to my more. In 1994 we sent $18 billion more not all right to take bread off of work- colleague from New York, MAJOR to the Federal Government than we got ing people’s tables in this Nation. OWENS, who has been a champion on back. Before that it was $23 billion. H 178 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 And for the last 20 years New York tlewoman from Connecticut stresses fare State into what I would refer to as State has sent more money to the Fed- the basic differences that there are an opportunity society, an opportunity eral Government than it has gotten here on this budget and how this is for all Americans. back. really a budget battle that concerns So, Mr. Speaker, we are gathered There are a whole wealth of States in major differences on the issues of Medi- here now in a very significant debate. I the South and Southwest that have care and Medicaid, education, and the have differences with my colleagues on gotten $65 billion more in 1994 than environment. the other side, as I am sure others of they paid to the Federal Government, I am so afraid that the public, in my colleagues on this side of the aisle but we consistently pay more into the some ways, has got a distorted impres- have. We are trying to get our financial Federal Government than we get back. sion of why we feel that it is incum- house in order and balance our Federal So Medicare, Medicaid, that is one of bent to bring up a continuing resolu- budget. the ways our citizens get back some of tion to open up the Government again. We presented a budget that we their tax money. Historically, in this House and in the worked on for 11 months. Our budget, People are terrified with the thought Congress, when there have been dif- in some cases with discretionary spend- that all this is going to change. Be- ferences over appropriations bills, dif- ing, which is the running of Govern- cause if Medicaid is no longer an enti- ferences over the budget, everyone has ment, the various departments and tlement, then two-thirds of our Medic- agreed to continue the Government, let agencies, we made real reductions. We aid money, which goes for nursing it operate while those negotiations go spent less in some programs and de- homes, is up for grabs. And I think this on. That is all we are asking. We want partments than we did in this year’s kind of special order helps to reassure the Government open while these budg- budget. them that at least Democrats here are et negotiations go on. And I think We eliminate a department, we re- fighting. This is a profound debate. It there is a responsibility of the Repub- duce the size of other departments, we is also a desperate debate. We are des- lican majority to do that. consolidate agencies, and we attempt perately fighting to protect some very Ms. DELAURO. This argument is di- to, in a 7-year plan, balance the Fed- profound and concrete benefits for peo- rected at a Democratic President. eral budget. ple who need them, and I thank the f In terms of entitlements, which are gentlewoman very much for this oppor- half of our Federal budget, we are look- tunity. DEBATE IS ABOUT WHETHER THE ing to slow the growth of entitlements. Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I want WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS We are not cutting them; we are spend- to thank the gentleman and just say ARE IN AGREEMENT OVER BAL- ing more. I am just going to read the what a number of my colleagues have ANCING THE BUDGET expenditures of five programs that our said, that, in fact, this is worth the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. colleagues just previously made ref- fight; that there are fundamental dif- METCALF). Under the Speaker’s an- erence to. They called it cuts. Only in ferences about the values of this Na- nounced policy of May 12, 1995, the gen- this place, in this city of Washington, tion and its priorities and whether we tleman from Connecticut [Mr. SHAYS] when you spend so much more do peo- stand for Medicare and Medicaid and is recognized for 55 minutes as the des- ple call it a cut. education and the environment and for ignee of the majority leader. The earned income tax credit is a working class families in this country, Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I under- credit that goes to people who do not or we stand for a $245 billion tax break stand I have 55 minutes and the gen- pay taxes. It is an assistance to the for the wealthiest Americans. tleman from New York [Mr. OWENS], working poor, and we are told that we Let me tell my colleagues that the gentleman after me, has 55 min- are cutting it when we go from $19.9 Speaker GINGRICH, since last April, has utes? billion to $25 billion in the 7th year. made statements about shutting down The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is That is an increase of 20 percent, and this Government. In June, he said, true. yet our colleagues call it a cut. We are going to go over to the liberal Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I am happy The School Lunch Program, which Democratic part of the Government and then to be joined by the gentleman from they went to schools and told the chil- say to them we could last 60 days, 90 days, Iowa [Mr. GANSKE]. dren they would no longer have a 120 days, 5 years, a century. There is a lot of stuff we don’t care if it is ever funded. I don’t Mr. Speaker, I was elected to the school lunch program. What an out- care what the price is. I don’t care if we have State House of Representatives in 1974, rage. That program goes from $5.1 bil- no executive offices and no bonds for 30 days. and it never ceased to amaze me, when lion to $6.8 billion. Not this time. I saw my colleagues in Congress having Our Student Loan Program, we are That was in September. The fact of to form a budget, that they did not told we are cutting the Student Loan the matter is he has been fanning, in- have to balance the budget. It never Program, and it goes from $24.5 billion flaming, and planning for a shutdown. ceased to amaze me that unlike the to $36.4 million, a 50-percent increase We have a shutdown, with unbelievable State house, where our revenues had to in student loans. Only in Washington desperate effects on senior citizens in equal expenditures, men and women in when you spend 50 percent more do this country. We sill have an oppor- Congress continued to deficit spend and people call it a cut. tunity to vote tomorrow with our vot- put us in an incredible hole of obliga- And then, before yielding to my col- ing card to vote ‘‘aye’’ to reopen this tions. league, the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Government. We need 20 Republicans Mr. Rabin, before he was assas- GANSKE], I will just make reference to who will, in fact, follow the lead of sinated, said that he was elected by two very important programs, I know their districts and the people who sent adults to represent the children and to Mr. GANSKE, and certainly to me as them here to serve them rather than the children’s children. And this is well, because we worked on these pro- following their allegiance to NEWT what this issue is all about. We have grams very closely. Medicaid. This is GINGRICH. Federal employees who are innocent health care for the poor. We go from That is what this is about, and the victims, but, ultimately, they will be $89 billion now to $127 billion. Only in desperate effects that this shutdown paid. But they have to now survive Washington when you go from $89 bil- has on seniors in our communities and without pay. They are caught in the lion to $127 billion do people call it a veterans in our communities. Do not be middle. cut. fooled by the rhetoric of a balanced But this is not about Federal employ- And then with Medicare, we go from budget. It is balanced and it helps the ees. This is not even about the disrup- $178 billion to $289 billion. I would love richest people in this country and tion of services. It is about whether or to just make reference to some very hurts seniors and veterans and stu- not there is an agreement in Congress specific points in this program. The dents and working families. with the White House to finally bal- bottom line to this program is that I want to yield now to my colleague ance our Federal budget, get our finan- when we talk about it, we are going to from New Jersey, Mr. PALLONE. cial house in order, Save Medicare go on a per capita basis from $4,800, in Mr. PALLONE. I just wanted to say from bankruptcy and, ultimately, to this past year, to $7,100 in the year that I am really pleased that the gen- change this social and corporate wel- 2002, which is now 6 years from now. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 179 Now, that is a 45-percent increase per is not enough, and I say, well, how wanted to from the Congressional capita, and yet I am told that is a cut. much do you want? And he will not tell Budget Office. We are allowing Medicare to increase me. He just says, spend more or pay Mr. SHAYS. Did we get any that we on an annual basis of 7.2 percent, and more. You know, it is hard to make an wanted? yet I am told by my colleagues on the agreement with that. Mr. GANSKE. We had to work with other side of the aisle that that is a Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would the assumptions that they gave us, just cut. like to inquire, it was not in a DeSoto like we would expect the President to I have a difficult time with that. It is dealership, since I know that my friend work with the CBO on their assump- not a cut, it is a significant increase. drove around his district in a DeSoto tions. Admittedly, it is not a 10-percent automobile in the last campaign. Mr. SHAYS. So it has been since No- growth, it is a 7.2-percent growth each Mr. GANSKE. If I would help the vember 20 and the President made it and every year. budget negotiations, I would bring the very clear that we would balance the I know my colleague, who happens to DeSoto to Washington and drive it budget using the Congressional Budget be a doctor, is very near and dear to down to the White House. Office numbers. And what has hap- the concerns of Medicaid and Medicare. Mr. DREIER. My friend is absolutely pened since then? Has he submitted a Medicaid is health care for the poor. right that there has been very clear budget? Has it been scored by the CBO? And also Medicaid is nursing care for confusion on this issue because we saw And the answer is no. the elderly poor. Medicare, which is in November, on the 20th of November, That is really the point that we find health care for the elderly and the dis- a commitment made by the President ourselves. We have been authors and abled, these are two very important that he would come forth with a bal- we have authored since January and we programs that we are trying to save. I anced budget that would use what we have struggled and debated and made would love at this time to yield to my describe as honest numbers in Wash- decisions on Medicare and Medicaid; on colleague to discuss whatever he would ington lingo. It is the Congressional the school lunch program; yes, on taxes like as it relates to these issues. Budget Office scoring, and he said when as well. We set out priorities, and now he stood behind where my friend is in we want the President to tell us what b 2215 his first State of the Union Message on his priorities are. Instead, he has been Mr. GANSKE. I thank my colleague February 17, 1993 that he believed the a critic on the sidelines saying what he from Connecticut. It is such a pleasure most honest numbers and responsible does not like, and not an author, and to share time with him, and we can scoring procedure was to utilize the we are asking him to be an author. The have a civilized discussion. There has Congressional Budget Office, and trag- challenge we have right now is the been so much hot rhetoric on the floor ically, while that indication was made Government shutdown. Why is it shut of Congress in the last few weeks that when it was signed by the President down? I think it will be important tonight to November 20, and we have failed to re- Mr. DREIER. If the gentleman would cover some areas and present the facts ceive that balanced budget, it has un- yield, I think we as Republicans made to the public and discuss these issues derstandably created a high level of a mistake. The mistake that we made in a rational way. frustration, not only for those who was in believing that when on Novem- I think we ought to spend a little bit serve in the Congress, but for those ber 20, 1995, just about 6 weeks ago of time on the so-called tax cuts for the Federal workers who have been fur- when this agreement was signed, we be- rich. I think we ought to spend some loughed and the American people who lieved that the President would come time on some of the specific items in have been anticipating a response. forward and, in fact, offer this balanced Medicare that were discussed by the Mr. GANSKE. Mr. Speaker, I think budget with the honest numbers, the previous discussants. But I think people back home get all mixed up Congressional Budget Office scoring. maybe we should just start with where when we are talking about CBO, Con- Our mistake was in believing that, be- are we at with this budget? Why do we gressional Budget Office, or OMB, Of- cause tragically it has not happened. have furloughed Government workers? fice of Management and Budget. That That is what has created this high Well, it has been about I think 7 is the administration’s predictors of ec- level of frustration. weeks since the President signed a con- onomics. But I try to explain it to Mr. GANSKE. If the gentleman would tinuing resolution in which he prom- them this way: you have to work from yield, the President signed that con- ised to present Congress with a bal- the same set of books using the same tinuing resolution. That was an act and anced budget, one that balances in 7 accounting system in order to under- that is a law. He has broken his prom- years by honest numbers, Congres- stand where you are both at. You can- ise on that. Because the President has sional Budget Office numbers. It was not use one type of accounting system not kept his promise, I think it has just a few years ago that the President, and a different accounting system and really created a level of frustration and right here, told Congress that he felt come to an agreement. That is why it distrust with Congress at this point in that the Congressional Budget Office was so important and why I was hope- time. provided the most accurate estimates ful for a period of time, when the Presi- I believe that if the President really for economic growth. Well, why do we dent first agreed to doing this, that he wanted to get the workers back to have Government employees that are would actually put his numbers there, work, the most constructive step that not working or those who are working that we would be comparing them ap- he could take would be today—I mean, are not getting paid in some areas? It ples to apples and not apples to or- he has 500 workers in the Office of Man- is basically the President has not kept anges. agement and Budget. He has had al- his promise. He has not presented or Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- most 2 months. brought to the table a balanced budget tleman would yield, that is the key Mr. SHAYS. And you want him to do that balances in 7 years utilizing the point, that we compare the same basic What? Congressional Budget Office that he accounting numbers. And Mr. DREIER is Mr. GANSKE. I think if he would fi- said he would do. right on target, the President was nally put a plan on the table that the In return for our last continuing res- right behind you saying use the Con- CBO scored as balanced, it does not olution, Congress said we will consider gressional Budget Office numbers. Con- matter what is in it. He can put his pri- everything, we will put everything on gressional Budget Office is not biparti- orities in it. It would be a sign of good the table, tax cuts, health care, edu- san. It is not partisan, it is non- faith with Congress, if the President is cation, whatever your priorities are. partisan. These are not political ap- truly interested in doing this. But I tell my constituents back home pointees like the Office of Management Mr. SHAYS. If the gentleman would that this has been very frustrating, be- and Budget. yield, I watched the President give his cause it is like if I go to an auto dealer, Mr. GANSKE. The gentleman is on press conference yesterday and he said and I see a car on the lot and I really the Committee on the Budget, and he Republicans are trying to basically like it, I want to purchase it from that very well knows that when Congress ram down our proposal, which is sim- auto dealer and I say I will you $10,000 passes budgets, we certainly did not ply not true. Because we are not saying for that car, and the auto dealer says it get every economic prediction that we that he has to present our proposal. We H 180 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 are saying he needs to present his pro- ‘‘You are getting more people in the the system, but first before yielding I posal with his priorities. system.’’ Yes, even with more people in will make this point: We did not advo- For instance, if he wants no tax cut, the system, we are still going to spend cate making any change in he can submit a budget with no tax 45 percent more for each of those indi- copayments. We did not advocate, and cut. If he wants more spending on Med- viduals. do not, any change in the deduction. icare or Medicaid, he can do that. The Mr. GANSKE. That is more than We do not advocate changing the bene- only requirement is that it be bal- twice the projected rate of inflation. ficiary rate, the premium rate on the anced, scored by real numbers. So, that But the importance of this matter is Medicare part B. We leave that at 31.5 is the issue and it is simply not true. tremendous. As a physician who has percent, with the taxpayers still pay- Mr. GANSKE. If the gentleman would treated Medicare patients, the facts are ing 68.5 percent. yield, the gentleman has pointed out staggering. It is an absolute fact that Now, Medicare part A, which is going before that this is hard work coming in 6 years there will be insufficient rev- bankrupt is the hospital payments. up with a 3,000-page document, as this enues coming into the system to cover Medicare part B is the services. In Congress did, that balances. We went the bills. Medicare part B, we keep the premium, through every program. We had to Now, the Health Care Financing Ad- the cost to the beneficiary, at 31.5 per- make some tough decisions when we ministration has recognized this for a cent. number of years. What they have done did that. We have to decrease the rate As health care costs go up, that 31.5 through a system of price controls is of growth in some areas. And I believe percent will continue to be a higher gradually tightened the tourniquet. that the reason the President has not amount, much as it has been in the last They have tightened the tourniquet on done this is because he has not been 7 years. That will be that gradual in- rural hospitals, on providers, and even willing to make some difficult deci- crease. sions. It brings into question, truly, with their price controls, they have not been able to bring down the rate of I would love to later on, but I will whether the President wants to bal- yield to my colleague, I will just point ance the budget or has the moral cour- growth because they have not ad- dressed an essential issue of out that in the year 2002 the President age or the spine to do that. basically would have a premium of Mr. SHAYS. Ultimately, this Govern- overutilization. $82.80, at 25 percent of the cost, because ment is going to be shut down until the Now, President Clinton has proposed the President fails to slow the growth President doe his job and provides this a smaller amount of savings from Med- of Medicare, and at 31 percent of the Congress with his balanced budget. icare, from the Medicare Program, cost, our charge is only $87.50. It is less That is a fact. It is not something that from what we proposed. When we origi- than $4 and some change, the difference either you or I like, but we know what nally proposed our Medicare bill, our in the premium cost, and yet the Presi- the cause is. This is the cause that savings were projected at $270 billion. dent has called this Draconian. only happens and an opportunity that In fact, tonight on the floor this was The bottom line is I would love my only happens once in a lifetime. the figure that was mentioned. It For over 30 years, particularly since would be much more accurate to say colleague to talk about what we have the end of the Vietnam war, our na- what the current levels are, because done. We have not increased the tional debt his gone up from over $300 the Congressional Budget Office has re- copayments. We have increased deduc- billion to $4.9 trillion or $4,900 billion, adjusted their figures, and so we are tions. We keep the beneficiary rate at and that has happened in peacetime. now at a level of about $205 billion in 31.5 percent. Both the gentleman from Iowa and I savings. Mr. GANSKE. I think, if the gen- Mr. SHAYS. But still allowing, if the and other Members, particularly on tleman would yield, there has been a gentleman would yield. this side of the aisle, want to put an lot of confusion and sort of half-truths Mr. GANSKE. But still allowing 7.2 related to the premiums. It has been end to that. We want to end the defi- percent growth each year on the aver- cits so we have lower interest rates; so reported in my local paper that this is age. Remember when President Clinton a bad plan because premiums would our mortgages cost us less; so our car and Mrs. Clinton presented their plan payments cost us less; and so that busi- double. It is a half-truth, because what just a year and a half ago, they pro- was neglected to be said was over 7 nessmen and women, when they want posed an increase of about 6.8 percent. to invest in new plant and equipment years. And how much would the pre- At that time they said that was not a miums have increased if you had done to make their workers more efficient cut. But now when we have proposed and more productive, do not have to nothing to the program? Because pre- spending more than they did, now, of miums have increased in Medicare 29 pay so much for the cost of money to course, this is a Draconian cut. We invest in new plant and equipment. out of the last 30 years, and it is my have got to get past this Washington understanding that premiums have in- What I would like to do is I would language about cuts. It confuses people like to get into one particular issue to creased $14 since President Clinton be- back in the district. came President. illustrate what we did during the last Mr. SHAYS. I would like to just em- You know, health care costs do keep 11 months, and that was the whole phasize this point though. The bottom rising, and if a Medicare recipient is issue of Medicare. We know that Medi- line is that the White House, when paying the same percent of his part B care is going up from $178 billion to they were presenting their plan on premium, then because there is a grad- $289 billion. first off, we know that Medicare, suggested that Medicare ual rise, just as there is a rise in the Medicare is going bankrupt. It becomes could only grow at 6.8 percent a year; Consumer Price Index, which will in- insolvent starting this year. Less that we needed to slow the growth. crease the Medicare beneficiaries’ So- money is put in the fund than goes out That is what we are doing. Admittedly, cial Security payments over 7 years the first time ever in Medicare Part A. we failed to keep it as low as the White from $700 to $935, then you have to tell We know it ultimately starts to go House originally suggested and it is the whole truth. And the gentleman is insolvent and becomes bankrupt in the going to grow at 7.2 percent. seventh year. With our Medicare plan, exactly right. I mean, how are these we are looking to spend a considerable b 2230 savings achieved? The only thing asked amount more in the next 7 years than And now we had basically four ways of Medicare beneficiaries was that they we did in the last 7. We spent in the to make these savings generically. One pay the same percent of their part B last 7 years $926 billion. We are looking is we could change and affect bene- premium for the next 6 years that they to spend $1.6 trillion. $1.6 trillion. We ficiaries. The second is we could paid last year, no increase in are going to spend $727 billion more in change and affect providers. The third deductibles, no increase in copayments. the next 7 years than we did in the last is we could raise taxes to save the Med- At the same time, hospitals were 7. icare trust fund part A, and that sim- asked to take a reduction. Providers On a per capita basis, we are going to ply was ruled not an option. And the were asked to take a reduction, and go from $4,800 per beneficiary to $7,100. fourth is we could change the system. they agreed to do that if there were and it is important to say ‘‘on per ben- I would love to get into the whole some structural changes in the pro- eficiary,’’ because people are saying issue of how we are looking to change gram. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 181 If you only tightened the tourniquet adjusted per capita cost. This is a fund- blue areas are counties that are more like the Health Care Financing Admin- ing formula that Medicare uses to de- than 30 percent below the national av- istration has done for the last 15 years, termine how much they will provide erage. Light blue is 20 to 30 percent. I then you reach a point where, instead for benefits per beneficiary, if, for in- practiced medicine for a while in the of just stanching the blood flow, you stance, they are in a managed care State of Oregon. Oregon has been very cut off the blood supply completely, plan. efficient in their health care. Look at and you will end up with gangrene. Mr. SHAYS. Are you saying this is the State of Oregon, for example; the So what we needed were some struc- based on determining health care costs whole western part of the State is re- tural changes to go along with a de- county by county by county? imbursed at levels 30 percent or more creased rate of growth, something that Mr. GANSKE. County by county. less than the average. Our plan ad- would be reasonable. But it should be Every county in the country has a rate dresses this inequity because it imme- pointed out that no senior citizen is determined by the Health Care Financ- diately bumps up the baseline, the min- going to be asked to change their cur- ing Administration, by Medicare. Un- imum amount that any county could rent policy. They can stay exactly in fortunately, the difference between receive. the same type of Medicare program some counties and other counties is Some counties in Nebraska, for in- that they are right now. If they want huge. stance, receive $170 or $180 per month. Let me give you an example. This to, there will be some options for them. That is immediately increased to $300, chart shows that the disparity between Mr. SHAYS. I would make this point, the next year to $350, and when you get the top 10 percent of counties in this it is not like the telephone company that initial bump up to a minimum country and the bottom half of the where you found you were with AT&T, floor, then you have a differential rate the next moment you found yourself counties will increase if nothing is done. For instance, in my congres- of growth from those countries at the part of MCI or another telephone serv- top compared to those at the bottom. ice. You will stay in Medicare, the tra- sional district, one county is reim- bursed on a monthly basis per Medicare The ones at the bottom will grow over ditional fee-for-service, the Blue Cross/ the next 7 years at twice the rate as Blue Shield model, the 1960’s version beneficiary at about $245. There are counties in this country where the re- those at the top. So the ones at the top that exists today; you will stay in that are still growing. They are still getting program unless you proactively decide imbursement rate is over $700. Mr. SHAYS. Particularly in urban more each year, but the ones at the to become part of another program. areas? bottom are growing a little faster. And And I make this point, that you, as a Mr. GANSKE. Particularly in urban so what that means then is that over a Member of Congress and I as a Member areas, and this is a situation where ev- period of time you narrow the dif- of Congress, who are Federal employees eryone in my counties are paying ex- ference between those counties that and get Federal health care, we get actly the same Medicare tax as every- have very low reimbursement rates choice, and we are saying to bene- one in the other counties that are get- now and those that are very generous. ficiaries that they for the first time ting more than twice as much per bene- This is just one of the small details will have choice. ficiary. That is why, for instance, in in the Medicare plan that we have They will stay in the present system New York City, somebody can sign up passed that improves the system and unless they get a getter choice, and the for a plan, get eyeglasses, membership will improve it for everyone across the better choice is they may get eyeglass in a health fitness club or some other country. care, they may get dental care, they benefit or have their premium paid Mr. SHAYS. I would just make a may have a health care plan that says that they cannot get in Adair, IA. point that in representing an urban their beneficiary cost will not be as Mr. SHAYS. Just to clarify, that is area, it was hard for me to comprehend high or that they will pay no because that beneficiary basically has at first that there would be such a low copayment, they may get a rebate in $600 that they bring to a plan on a reimbursement to rural areas, and as the amount that they pay, and they monthly basis, whereas in a county this gentleman and some of your col- will decide. like your own, a rural county or coun- leagues from rural areas pointed out to Now, let us just say they make a ties like your own, it may only be $200 those of us from urban areas, that we choice, and they did not like the serv- or $300? had to deal with this issue. I think we ice. We are allowing them for the next Mr. GANSKE. Exactly. And that has have made a very good-faith effort to 24 months to go right back into that been a flawed funding formula based on try to deal with this inequity. That is fee-for-service. So they sign up, they do over-utilization in certain areas. one area that we looked at. not like it, they are not locked in for a Mr. SHAYS. So what did we do about Another area I would love to focus in year or 2 or 3. Now, after 24 months, it? on before our time runs out is that when they make a choice, it will be on Mr. GANSKE. So our plan addresses health care fraud, which is pretty an annual basis as it is for me. As a that. Our plan immediately bumped rampant, has been a State-by-State Federal employee, once I choose a the lower counties up. process. In our legislation, for the first health care plan, of which I pay 28 per- Mr. SHAYS. If the gentleman, before time we make it a Federal offense to cent, I am locked in for a year. Every leaving that, just put that chart that defraud both Medicare and Medicaid year I can decide to get out at a cer- he just took off, my understanding is and CHAMPUS. CHAMPUS is the Fed- tain point. the average starts somewhere between eral program for our military and some So we are offering choice, something $4,000 and $5,000 on an annual basis, and other Federal employees. And for the that I know my constituents have the bottom 50 percent are actually first time we are making a concerted asked for for a long time, but we are al- below $4,000, yet just the top 10 percent effort to deal with the State-by-State lowing them to stay. are $6,000 and climbing. I know my colleague has some more Mr. GANSKE. If we look at it on an fraud and have a more greater team ef- to add on this issue. annual basis the benefit that a Medi- fort to go after this fraud. Mr. GANSKE. If the gentleman will care beneficiary would get, for in- I do not know if my colleague would yield further, I am appreciative of the stance, in Nebraska or Iowa or Oregon, like to speak to this issue as well. fact that you have brought up the issue ti would be in this range, below $4,000 Mr. GANSKE. One of the provisions of benefits that Medicare beneficiaries on an annual basis. In some parts of in our plan says that if a Medicare ben- can receive, because in the current pro- the country it is $6,000. The average is eficiary identifies an area of fraud or gram, the way Medicare is right now, about $4,500. abuse, that they can participate in re- there is some real unfairness in the But look at what happens over time covering some of the cost. system. There is some real inequity. as you go out to the year 2002. If noth- Mr. SHAYS. It is astounding when we This particularly affects my home ing changes in Medicare, you can see find out what some of the fraud is. State of Iowa as well as some other that the difference between these two Some of it is perceived to be in a mis- rural States. increases over time. take where they were sent a $16 bill, it Let me explain what this is. There is Let me just show you how this af- turned out to be $160 or $16,000, or a such a thing as the AAPCC, the annual fects my particular State. The dark man being charged for giving birth to a H 182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 child, just things that were so prepos- charges $25. If they give equivalent seven years. And it is an issue of how terous, but not, frankly, all that un- care, now you have a personal interest he wants to spend $12 trillion and how common. in being a good shopper. we want to spend it. If we do nothing, Mr. GANSKE. One of the things that I have had many Members of the op- we will spend $13.3 trillion and con- is currently happening in the Medicare position side say ‘‘I don’t think senior tinue to have deficits ad infinitum. Program is a trend toward increased citizens can do that.’’ It is sort of like Mr. GANSKE. If the gentleman will utilization or increased opportunity for they do not think senior citizens are yield, let us put this on a common health maintenance organizations. capable. basis and tie this back in with senior This is happening. It is going to con- Let me tell you, a lot of the senior citizens, because senior citizens have tinue to happen, whether there is any citizens I know know exactly where the children and they have grandchildren. change in the Medicare Program at all. grocery bargains are. They are good Their grandchild who is born today in- But as the gentleman knows, we were shoppers. They have a network. They herits $187,000 worth of debt, just inter- aware of this, and we put in some sig- communicate with each other when est payments in his lifetime. nificantly stronger patient and they get together for coffee as to where The facts are staggering. A 21-year- consumer protections in this bill in is the best place to go. ‘‘Did you know old today faces a bill of interest pay- terms of notification, in terms of mak- they are having a sale there?’’ That ments of $115,000. Senior citizens tell ing sure that senior citizens cannot be kind of information will be spread me, look, we are willing to do our fair taken advantage of by certain health around. I have confidence in senior share, and it is a matter of what is fair plans. citizens to be able to make wise deci- when we look at this? But this is so im- I mean, there are a lot of good things sions for themselves. portant, because I agree with what you in this bill, not the least of which has Mr. SHAYS. My colleague, what we said earlier. We have a chance here to been discussed earlier this evening by have been talking about is one of the do something good for the country that the Members of the opposition party, many plans that are part of our Bal- does not come around very often. It related to medical savings accounts. anced Budget Act which the President may be our last chance to do this. This is one of those options that a sen- vetoed. We have some major dif- If this balanced budget work fails, ior citizen can use if he wants to. It is ferences with the President on Medic- then I think the message will be to Congresses not to try it. Do not take not for everybody. But it is something aid and on Medicare. He has some dif- on a difficult job. Just kind of go along that is reasonable for people to think ferences on whether or not to have tax cuts and where. We do not yet see his until we reach a crisis. about. The way that it works is this: What we are really talking about You receive a set amount of funds from plan, and we are waiting for his plan. But we have been very strongly criti- now is the ability of a democracy to which voucher you can then purchase a look ahead and see a problem coming, high deductible insurance plan. With cized by some on the other side of the aisle that talk about a ‘‘cut’’ to Medi- of knowing that this problem is com- the difference between what the plan ing. But it is not quite yet the crisis care. What we have talked about is the costs, you can then put that amount that throws all the economy into dis- fact Medicare is going up from $4,800 into a savings account to pay the de- array, where it is not quite at the point per beneficiary to $7,200. We have ductible. However, what you do not use where we would see 500 or 1,000 percent talked about the fact there are no stays and grows in that account, which inflation in one year. But we can see copayments, no deductions, the pre- is your account. And if you maintain a that coming if we do not address this mium stays the same. certain balance, then you can use that issue. We are going to have a higher pre- for additional medical provisions, if So the question is, can a democracy you want to. mium for the wealthier. The most af- gather itself together, do something fluent will pay more on Medicare Part b 2245 that is not easy, when you have not got B, something the colleagues on the your back totally against the wall like Mr. SHAYS. If my colleague would other side of the aisle advocated, but it is going to be in about 15 years? yield, I have a number of constituents now criticize. We are slowing the Mr. SHAYS. Well, I know that you who manage their own care and man- growth to a significant increase of 7.2 are a newer Member of Congress, and I age their own health. They do not percent. Only when you spend 7.2 per- know that you decided to run because smoke, they may not drink, they try to cent more each year do some, and only you looked at how you saw Congress lead healthy lives. They are a tremen- in this city, do they call it a cut. operate and said how can grown men dous savings to our country because Now we have talked about now a plan and women fail to get our financial they are in fact healthier people. that has choice, yet you do not have to house in order? And that is what we are Mr. GANSKE. If the gentleman would choose if you do not want. You can about. yield, those individuals who live stay where you are. We have talked I have had constituents who said to healthy lives would then be able to about the fact you have been trying for me, how could you shut down the gov- purchase plans at less cost, because a number of years and have been criti- ernment? Well, part of the government they would have less risk. Therefore, cal, first when you were not part of is shut down, and the reason it is shut their healthy behavior is rewarded. Congress, to get us to address the fact down is that the President has vetoed That is part of personal responsibility. that some counties do not get the kind some budgets that we have given him, I think that this is something that is of payment allotted for Medicare that that he has not given us a balanced not for everyone, but I believe that they deserve to, and there is this ex- budget, and we are determined basi- what it does do is to reestablishes a traordinary disparity, and the only cally for the long haul to seek a bal- connection between the payer and the way choice is ultimately going to work anced budget. We are not going to miss recipient. is increase what we do in rural areas. this opportunity. We are going to pur- If somebody else pays for something, We dealt with that. sue it. then you are never as concerned about We have made significant changes to I had some Members say to me, well, what it costs. But if this is coming out get at fraud, waste and abuse, and that the polls say the President is taking of your account, you now have a per- we are allowing this choice for all our the right position and Congress is tak- sonal financial interest in making sure seniors. ing the wrong position. It is interesting that you are getting good value for So I am very proud of this program. when we get in the polls. I will make your dollar, for your health care dollar. I hope we do not change it much from two points. That means you are going to look at what we have proposed. I believe we One is that the Time Magazine, when your bills. need to spend more on Medicaid than they did a poll, said that just recently For instance, that will mean if you we have appropriated, but I think our in the last edition, 47 percent feel we are going to a family practitioner for a Medicare numbers are pretty good. I are ‘‘cutting too much’’; 46 percent said routine checkup, you may find that the hope when the President finally does we were cutting just right on or not family practitioner on one side of the his job and comes in with a budget, he enough. When they learned in fact street charges $20 for a visit, the fam- recognizes that we have $12 trillion to Medicare was going to grow per bene- ily practitioner on the other side spend in our overall budget in the next ficiary 45 percent, that Medicaid was January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 183 going to grow significantly, that when government does not take so much of every farmer in my district under- they learned that the Earned Income the discretionary income into itself, stands very well the benefits that will Tax Credit goes from $19 to $25 billion, that leaves more out there. There are accrue to them if we balance the budg- the school lunch from $5 to $6.8 billion, more jobs. We are talking about 5 to 6 et, and they understand full well what student loan from $24 to $36 billion, a 60 million more new jobs in the next six the bottom line will be for them if we percent increase, Medicare from $178 to years if we balance our budget. We are do not balance the budget. $289 billion, when they learned that; in talking about interest rates dropping Mr. SHAYS. Whether it is a farmer other words, when the pollsters go 11⁄2 to 2 percent. For a young couple that has to invest in new facilities or back, they realize that there is a shift. buying a $75,000 home, at 2 percent new equipment for their farming or a And then two to one they say we are lower interest rates on their home, on businessman in some of the urban cutting just about right or not enough, their 30-year mortgage, they save areas, or businesswoman in urban areas when they realize in fact we are not $36,000. If a young person buys a car for I represent, they look at the cost of doing the kind of cutting that they $12,000 and their interest rates are 2 money, and then they say ‘‘If I build think we are doing. percent lower, they have just saved al- this new plant and equipment and hire I will just make this last point, if I most $1,000 on their car. That means if these workers, will I get a return?’’ could. I have been asked about the we balance the budget, family incomes The higher the interest rates, the less polls. I have answered it this way. If will go up, there will be more jobs, the building of new plant and equipment Abraham Lincoln during the height of economy will grow. But let me just you have and the purchase of new plant our crisis in the battle between the read to you what will happen if we do and equipment. North and the South on whether we not balance the budget. I know we have about 4 minutes left would be one nation, under God, indi- On November 2, this year, Alan before we conclude. I would just like to visible, if he had taken a poll and he reiterate the fact that we are looking has responded the way the press has Greenspan, the Federal Reserve Board to balance our Federal budget and get asked us, how can you continue when Chairman said: our financial house in order. We are the polls say this, when Abraham Lin- If for some reason the political process coln was President, it was clear that fails and a balanced budget agreement is not looking to save our trust funds, par- most Americans did not support the reached, it would signal that the United ticularly Medicare, from insolvency States is not capable of putting its fiscal and ultimate bankruptcy. And the war during the first few years. They house in order, with serious adverse con- wanted the way to end, and they want- third thing we are looking to do is to sequences for financial markets and eco- transform our care-taking social and ed him to settle. nomic growth. But he did not listen to the poll, corporate welfare state into a caring Then he goes on to say: thank God, because if he had, we would opportunity society. This is our objec- be not one Nation under God, indivis- I think if you don’t balance the budget, we tive. ible; we would be two nations, and we would find that with mortgage rates higher and other related rates moving up, interest b 2300 would be very much divided. sensitive areas of the economy would begin We are asking the President and hop- So for me the polls ultimately will to run into trouble. happen this November, and I can say, I ing that he keeps his word to ulti- am very willing to sink or swim on this Now, that is a remarkable statement mately come in with a balanced budg- issue, to live or die, to be reelected or for the Federal Reserve Board Chair- et, scored by the Congressional Budget not. I am willing to face what my con- man to make. That is about as strong Office, using real numbers. We are not stituents say. If they do not feel we a statement about what bad things will saying he has to agree to our tax cuts. need to balance this Federal budget follow if we do not balance the budget We are not saying he has to agree to and get our financial house in order as you will ever get from an economist. our Medicare Program, our Medicaid and they disapprove of the way we are Mr. SHAYS. And some people are not Program, or what we have done in dis- proceeding, then I am out of sync with listening. cretionary spending or with food the constituents I represent. Then I do Mr. GANSKE. And some people are stamps or whatever else that we have not deserve to be reelected. But for me, not listening. set our priorities. We are saying to the this is something that comes from my Mr. SHAYS. I have had Mr. Green- President to set his priorities. Where heart and my mind. I believe in it with span come before my Committee on the we agree, then we can simply say there all my heart and soul, and I am very Budget, and Mr. Greenspan was asked we agree; where we disagree, then we willing to live with the consequences, one time, do you think Congress will work out our differences. whatever the consequences may be. cut too much? And his answer was this: I believe if the president were to sub- Mr. GANSKE. Mr. Speaker, if the ‘‘Mr. Congressman, I don’t go to sleep mit a balanced budget, in a very short gentleman would yield, people ask me at night fearful that when I wake up period of time we would come to an why is Congress being so strong on the next morning Congress will have agreement. I know Mr. GANSKE, and I this? Many of my constituents say hold cut too much.’’ certainly know it for myself, we will the line. They understand. But others Given the battle that we have had not be happy with every part of that say, ‘‘Maybe a balanced budget is not with some of our colleagues on the agreement, but we cannot be happy so important.’’ This is what I tell other side of the aisle, I understand his with every part of an agreement where them. For the last 25 or 30 years, the lack of concern on that issue. we are compromising. average income family in this country But we know right now that interest I think we need to ultimately find has stagnated. I mean, you can talk to rates have come down in the expecta- common ground. I know the gentleman the President of the AFL–CIO. He will tion that we will win this battle to bal- has worked with other people, people tell you exactly the same thing. Part ance our Federal budget and get our fi- on the other side of the aisle to find of that is because in 1950, the average nancial house in order. If we fail, there areas where we can agree. We are income family was sending 5 percent of is no doubt in anyone’s mind what the reaching out to our Democratic col- their income to Washington for Federal bond market will do, what the stock leagues, because, clearly, we are Mem- taxes, and today the average income market will do, and ultimately what bers of Congress. We are not Repub- family is sending over 25 percent of will happen to our economy. licans first or Democrats first. We are their income. That means to Washing- Mr. GANSKE. Some people will say, Americans first, looking to get our fi- ton for Federal taxes alone. That is not oh, that is just economics. But those nancial house in order not in the short counting State and local property are economics that affect real people. I run but in the long run for the good of taxes. So it means almost they have to have a lot of farmers in my district. our children. work until July 4 before they can start They run expensive farm operations. It Mr. GANSKE. If the gentleman would to work for themselves each year. That costs a lot to run a farm these days. continue to yield. Again I will bring is not the rich, that is an average in- Most of them do not have the kind of this all the way around the circle back come family. capital to finance, so they have to take to the furloughed government workers. So what we know will happen is that out loans to buy their seed, their fuel, One thing should be known, and that is if we can balance the budget, when the to put in the crops. I will tell you, that, at least in my district, there is a H 184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996 Federal credit union that is open and spending $36 billion a year in the year fornia congressional delegation, and I available to provide interest free loans 2002. Every year it increases. want to discuss the impact of our at- to Federal employees if things are Mr. SHAYS. And the total increase, tempt to balance the budget on the pretty tight. if I might add, of 50 percent during that largest State of the Union. It clearly I certainly would like to get my Fed- time. From $24 billion to $36 billion. would have an incredible impact. eral employees back to work as soon as Only in this city would someone call It seems to me that we need to look possible. I think that I will only speak that a cut. at what balancing the Federal budget for myself, I am not speaking for the Mr. GANSKE. Let us talk about the would do to the State of California. If Republican conference when I say this, next myth. The next myth is Congress’ the Federal budget is balanced in 7 but if the President would truly bring budget makes draconian cuts in wel- years, $140 billion in debt, California’s to the table a balanced budget, that is fare funding. I think I have heard that share of the $1.2 trillion in additional certified as balanced by the Congres- word draconian about a thousand times Federal borrowing, would not burden sional Budget Office, and if there are in the last 3 weeks. Well, how much did our future. Each of California’s 11 mil- not any funny gimmicks in it, then I we spend on welfare in the last 7 years? lion children will not see their share of personally would consider that to be a We spent $492 billion. How much do we the Federal debt increased by $13,000 good faith effort on the part of the propose spending in the next 7 years? over the next 7 years. President. This will just flabbergast most of the The balanced budget bonus of lower Mr. SHAYS. And so would I. viewers. We propose spending $838 bil- interest rates will create jobs, free Mr. GANSKE. And I personally think lion. local and State resources and increase that that would be the time then that Mr. SHAYS. I wonder if the gen- the buying power of California fami- we should bring the Federal employees tleman could give me those numbers lies. back. again? This is on welfare? Now, Alan Greenspan, the Chairman I think it should be noted, though, Mr. GANSKE. This is on welfare re- of the Federal Reserve Board, has stat- that I am not saying that the President form. Spending on welfare. And this is ed on several occasions recently that has to agree with our plan. I am not a combination of the welfare programs. the 2 percent drop that we have seen in saying we have to come to agreement And this is a combination of the wel- interest rates is directly related to on that. All that I personally would fare programs. In the last 7 years we simply the discussion, the commitment ask is that the President finally honor spent $492 billion. We propose in our and our quest for a balanced budget. his commitment and bring a plan, his budget spending $878 billion. That is an Now, lower interest rates, and by the own plan to the table, so that we could increase, folks, of $386 billion in wel- way, there is a direct line that can be get on with the job of comparing apples fare spending. drawn if one looks at election day 1994 to apples and oranges to oranges in Mr. SHAYS. Another myth? downward, because this question for a this budgetary process. Mr. GANSKE. If we go from 492 to balanced budget has led interest rates It is hard to make progress unless 878, I do not know anyone in my dis- to drop further, and I am convinced the President makes that first step and trict that calls that a decrease. that if we actually do put into place a honors the signature he put on the line. Mr. SHAYS. My colleague has point- balanced budget that we will see a fur- Mr. SHAYS. The commitment that ed out a number of myths. We have ther drop, and this has been predicted the gentleman has made is one that I presented our program. We are proud of by many, of a percentage point or two. share. The President submits the bal- our program. We are looking to the Lower interest rates will create over anced budget, scored by the Congres- President to be an author and not just that 7-year period 497,000 new private sional Budget Office, using real num- a critic. sector jobs in California. The cost of bers, not necessarily our numbers, his We stand ready to work with the borrowing by the State of California numbers, his priorities, and then we President and with our colleagues on will be reduced by over $3 billion, re- know that we can go to our conference the other side of the aisle to have a sources that could be used to address in good conscience and say that we true balanced budget. real needs in California, which would need a temporary continuing resolu- With that, Mr. Speaker, I would be provide a benefit of $262 in a State tax tion. more than happy to yield back the bal- cut per household. I want to inquire of the Chair. I know ance of our time. Now, the point being that as interest we were given 55 minutes. We are pre- f rates drop, Mr. Speaker, we clearly pared to speak a little longer or we are would see a very beneficial impact in prepared to end our discussion. THE JOURNAL decreased interest burden paid by our The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. State. The cost of borrowing by local tleman has 6 more minutes unless the METCALF). Pursuant to clause 5 of rule governments within California will be other party shows up. I, the pending business is the question reduced with the 12 largest cities in Mr. SHAYS. I understand. de novo of agreeing to the Speaker’s California seeing a savings of $1.38 bil- Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield approval of the Journal of the last lion alone, resources that, again, could back to my colleague. day’s proceedings. be used for education, health care, and Mr. GANSKE. And I would just like The question is on the Speaker’s ap- local law enforcement. to point out some of the facts versus proval of the Journal. The average California family that the myths that we have heard so much Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- owns a home will save $4,757 per year of over the last several weeks. nal stands approved. through lower mortgage interest rates, The first myth is this: Congress’ f freeing family income to provide for budget is cutting Medicare spending. themselves a higher standard of living. Mr. SHAYS. Not. IMPACT OF BALANCING THE A California student, with the average Mr. GANSKE. What is the fact? What BUDGET ON THE LARGEST college loan in our State of California, are the numbers in the last 7 years we STATE OF THE UNION would save $858 over the life of a 10- spent? $926 billion. And we propose The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a year student loan, if we were to bring spending $1,600 billion in the next 7 previous order of the House, the gen- about a balanced budget with those years. tleman from California [Mr. DREIER] is lower interest rates which would fol- Mr. SHAYS. Sounds like a significant recognized for 5 minutes. low. increase. Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I want to California families will obviously pay Mr. GANSKE. Myth: Congress’ budg- take just a few moments, as we prepare less in Federal taxes. 6,138,000 Califor- et guts student loans. What is the fact? to file a rule, which will be considered nia children live in families that are el- The fact is that in 1995 we spent $24 bil- here on the floor tomorrow morning at igible for the $500 per child tax credit, lion; in 1996 we spend $26 billion; in 10 o’clock, to talk about a very impor- if we put our package through. The Re- 1997, $28 billion; 1998, $30 billion; 1999, tant issue to me. I am privileged to publican family tax relief will reduce $32 billion; in the year 2000, $33 billion; represent one fifty-second of Califor- the taxes of California families by $21.6 the year 2001, $34 billion, and we end up nia. I am one of 52 members of the Cali- billion over the next 7 years, money January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 185 that is earned by parents and can be clares the House in recess subject to (The following Member (at his own spent by the family. the call of the Chair. request) to revise and extend his re- Spending on priority social programs Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 16 marks and include extraneous mate- increases dramatically under our Bal- minutes p.m.), the House stood in re- rial:) anced Budget Act. Total Federal spend- cess subject to the call of the Chair. Mr. CARDIN, for 5 minutes, today. ing in California would increase from f (The following Members (at their own $177 billion in fiscal year 1995 to $215 request) to revise and extend their re- billion in 2002, an increase of 22 per- b 2340 marks and include extraneous mate- cent. Over the past 7 years, the Federal AFTER RECESS rial:) Government’s spending in California Mr. HOYER, for 5 minutes, today. was $1.11 trillion. Under the Republican The recess having expired, the House Mr. PASTOR, for 5 minutes, today. balanced budget plan, total Federal was called to order by the Speaker pro (The following Members (at the re- spending in California will be $1.46 tril- tempore (Mr. METCALF) at 11 o’clock quest of Mr. KINGSTON) to revise and lion, which is an increase of 31 percent. and 40 minutes p.m. extend their remarks and include ex- Social Security payments to Califor- f traneous material:) nians will increase $15.9 billion over REPORT ON RESOLUTION PROVID- Mr. BUYER, for 5 minutes, today. the next 7 years under our balanced Mr. HANSEN, for 5 minutes, today. ING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MO- budget plan, and Federal welfare spend- Mr. TIAHRT, for 5 minutes, today. TION TO DISPOSE OF SENATE ing, and that means food stamps, child Mrs. MORELLA, for 5 minutes, today. AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1643, MOST- care, cash welfare, child protection, Mr. BARR, for 5 minutes, today. FAVORED-NATION TREATMENT school nutrition, SSI, the earned in- Mr. FOLEY, for 5 minutes, today. FOR BULGARIA come tax credit in California, that will Mr. SMITH of Michigan, for 5 minutes, increase by $40 billion over the next 7 Mr. DREIER, from the Committee on today. years under our plan. Rules, submitted a privileged report Mr. MICA, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Speaker, wasteful Washington (Rept. No. 104–447) on the resolution (H. Mr. DUNCAN, for 5 minutes, today. mandates are lifted, giving flexibility Res. 334) providing for consideration of Mr. MARTINI, for 5 minutes, today. to Sacramento and local governments a motion to dispose of the Senate Mr. JONES, for 5 minutes, today. to direct Federal and State resources amendment to the bill (H.R. 1643) to Mr. FUNDERBURK, for 5 minutes, to its highest priorities and to do this authorize the extension of nondiscrim- today. in the most efficient manner. Medicare inatory treatment (most-favored-na- Mr. EWING, for 5 minutes, today. payments to Californians, Mr. Speaker, tion treatment) to the products of Bul- Mr. MCINNIS, for 5 minutes, today. will increase $9.2 billion over the next garia, which was referred to the House Mr. STEARNS, for 5 minutes, today. 7 years. Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania, for 5 min- utes, today. b f 2315 Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, Medicare spending per senior will in- LEAVE OF ABSENCE today. crease from $4,800 to $7,100 per bene- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- (The following Member (at his own ficiary by the year 2002. California sen- sence was granted to: request) to revise and extend his re- iors will also be given a choice in the marks and include extraneous mate- Mr. LIGHTFOOT (at the request of Mr. health care plan that they receive, rial:) ARMEY) for today and the balance of rather than having their health care Mr. BONO, for 5 minutes, today. the week, on account of his son’s sur- coverage dictated by Washington poli- (The following Member (at his own gery. ticians and bureaucrats. request) to revise and extend his re- Mr. Speaker, Medicaid payments to f marks and include extraneous mate- California will increase by $3.4 billion SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED rial:) over the next 7 years. The Federal Gov- Mr. HOLDEN. ernment would also reimburse to Cali- By unanimous consent, permission to (The following Member (at his own fornia hospitals swamped by illegal im- address the House, following the legis- request) to revise and extend his re- migrants $1.6 billion of the cost of lative program and any special orders marks and include extraneous mate- emergency health care services, which heretofore entered, was granted to: rial:) (The following Members (at the re- currently is a cost placed on California Mr. FOLEY, for 5 minutes, today. hospitals and the California taxpayers. quest of Mr. MCNULTY) to revise and (The following Member (at his own Lifting Washington mandates, in- extend their remarks and include ex- request) to revise and extend his re- creasing the cost of health care and di- traneous material:) marks and include extraneous mate- verting resources to lesser priorities, Mr. WISE, for 5 minutes, today. rial:) including mandates to provide health Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, for 5 min- Mr. COLLINS of Georgia, for 5 min- care to illegal immigrants and drug ad- utes, today. utes, today. dicts, must be lifted as part of any plan Mr. VOLKMER, for 5 minutes, today. (The following Member (at his own to restrain the growth of Federal Med- Mrs. SCHROEDER, for 5 minutes, request) to revise and extend his re- icaid spending in order to continue to today. marks and include extraneous mate- provide equal health care to Califor- Mr. MORAN, for 5 minutes, today. rial:) nians who are in need. Mrs. CLAYTON, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. GIBBONS, for 5 minutes, today. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, in closing, it Mr. EDWARDS, for 5 minutes, today. (The following Member (at his own is very clear that moving ahead with Ms. WATERS, for 5 minutes, today. request) to revise and extend his re- our Balanced Budget Act would, in Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, for 5 minutes, marks and include extraneous mate- fact, dramatically increase by 22 per- today. rial:) cent overall the level of spending for Mr. FIELDS of Louisiana, for 5 min- Mr. DEUTSCH, for 5 minutes, today. California over the next 7 years. So, we utes, today. (The following Members (at their own have not seen these Draconian cuts Mr. FARR, for 5 minutes, today. request) to revise and extend their re- which many people have labeled our Mrs. THURMAN, for 5 minutes, today. marks and include extraneous mate- Balanced Budget Act as, and, in fact, Mr. CLEMENT, for 5 minutes, today. rial:) we need to move ahead as expeditiously Mr. MINGE, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. TAUZIN, for 5 minutes, today. as possible because it is clearly a win/ Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin, for 5 min- Ms. NORTON, for 5 minutes, today. win for the people of California. utes, today. Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, for 5 min- f Mr. NADLER, for 5 minutes, today. utes, today. Mr. WYNN, for 5 minutes, today. (The following Members (at their own RECESS Mr. SCHUMER, for 5 minutes, today. request) to revise and extend their re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. POMEROY, for 5 minutes, today. marks and include extraneous mate- ant to clause 12 of rule I, the Chair de- Ms. PELOSI, for 5 minutes, today. rial:) H 186 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 4, 1996

Ms. WOOLSEY, for 5 minutes, today. committee had examined and found personnel report for the fiscal year 1995, pur- Mr. ENSIGN, for 5 minutes, today. truly enrolled bills and a joint resolu- suant to 3 U.S.C. 113; to the Committee on Mr. BISHOP, for 5 minutes, today. tion of the House of the following ti- Government Reform and Oversight. (The following Members (at their own 1912. A letter from the Chairman, Council tles, which were thereupon signed by of the District of Columbia, transmitting a request) to revise and extend their re- the Speaker: marks and include extraneous mate- copy of D.C. Act 11–178, ‘‘Prohibition on H.R. 1295. An act to amend the Trademark Abandoned Vehicles Amendment Act of rial:) Act of 1946 to make certain revisions relat- 1995,’’ pursuant to D.C. Code, section 1– Mr. BENTSEN, for 5 minutes, today. ing to the protection of famous marks. 233(c)(1); to the Committee on Government Mr. HORN, for 5 minutes, today. H.R. 2203. An act to reauthorize the tied Reform and Oversight. Mrs. MALONEY, for 5 minutes, today. aid credit program of the Export-Import 1913. A letter from the Chairman, Council (The following Members (at their own Bank of the United States, and to allow the of the District of Columbia, transmitting a request) to revise and extend their re- Export-Import Bank to conduct a dem- copy of D.C. Act 11–179, ‘‘Woodrow Wilson marks and include extraneous mate- onstration project. Bridge and Tunnel Compact Authorization rial:) H.J. Res. 153. Joint resolution making fur- Act of 1995,’’ pursuant to D.C. Code, section Mr. LAHOOD, for 5 minutes, today. ther continuing appropriations for the fiscal 1–233(c)(1); to the Committee on Government Mr. DELLUMS, for 5 minutes, today. year 1996, and for other purposes. Reform and Oversight. 1914. A letter from the Acting Secretary of Mr. SAXTON, for 5 minutes, today. f (The following Member (at her own State, transmitting the annual report under request) to revise and extend her re- BILL PRESENTED TO THE the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity marks and include extraneous mate- PRESIDENT Act for fiscal year 1995, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3512(c)(3); to the Committee on Government rial:) Mr. THOMAS, from the Committee Reform and Oversight. Mrs. CUBIN, for 5 minutes, today. on House Oversight, reported that that 1915. A letter from the Chairman, Nuclear (The following Member (at his own committee did on the following day Regulatory Commission, transmitting the request) to revise and extend his re- present to the President, for his ap- annual report under the Federal Managers’ marks and include extraneous mate- proval, a bill of the House of the fol- Financial Integrity Act for fiscal year 1995, rial:) pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3512(c)(3); to the Com- lowing title: Mr. WATT of North Carolina, for 5 mittee on Government Reform and Over- minutes, today. On January 3, 1996. sight. (The following Member (at his own H.R. 2808. An act to extend authorities 1916. A letter from the National Adjutant, request) to revise and extend his re- under the Middle East Peace Facilitation the Disabled American Veterans, transmit- Act of 1994 until March 31, 1996, and for other marks and include extraneous mate- ting the report of the proceedings of the or- purposes. ganization’s 74th national convention, in- rial:) f cluding their annual audit report of receipts Mr. FILNER, for 5 minutes, today. and expenditures as of December 31, 1994, (The following Members (at their own ADJOURNMENT pursuant to 36 U.S.C. 90i and 44 U.S.C. 1332 request) to revise and extend their re- (H. Doc. No. 105–159); to the Committee on marks and include extraneous mate- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I move Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be printed. rial:) that the House do now adjourn. 1917. A letter from the Librarian of Con- Mr. ENGEL, for 5 minutes, today. The motion was agreed to; accord- gress, Archivist of the United States, and the Mr. BARCIA, for 5 minutes, today. ingly (at 11 o’clock and 41 minutes Public Printer, transmitting the final report (The following Member (at his own p.m.), the House adjourned until Fri- on establishing a national policy on perma- request) to revise and extend his re- day, January 5, 1996, at 10 a.m. nent papers, pursuant to Public Law 101–423, Section 3 (104 Stat. 913); jointly, to the Com- marks and include extraneous mate- f rial:) mittees on Government Reform and Over- sight and House Oversight. Mr. DREIER, for 5 minutes, today. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, f f ETC. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON EXTENSION OF REMARKS Under clause 2 of rule XXIV, execu- tive communications were taken from PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS By unanimous consent, permission to the Speaker’s table and referred as fol- Under clause 2 of Rule XIII, reports revise and extend remarks was granted to: lows: of committees were delivered to the (The following Members (at the re- 1907. A letter from the Architect of the Clerk for printing and reference to the quest of Mr. MCNULTY) and to include Capitol, transmitting the report of expendi- proper calendar, as follows: extraneous matter:) tures of appropriations during the period Mr. DREIER: Committee on Rules. House April 1, 1995, through September 30, 1995, pur- Mr. TORRICELLI. Resolution 334. Resolution providing for con- suant to 40 U.S.C. 162b; to the Committee on sideration of a motion to dispose of the Sen- Mr. HAMILTON. Appropriations. Mr. MONTGOMERY. ate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1643) to au- 1908. A letter from the Under Secretary of thorize the extension of nondiscriminatory Mr. KLECZKA. Defense, transmitting a report of a violation treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. of the Anti-Deficiency Act which occurred in to the products of Bulgaria (Rept. 104–447). Mr. COYNE in three instances. the fiscal year 1993, operation and mainte- (The following Member (at the re- Referred to the House Calendar. nance, Air National Guard, and fiscal year f quest of Mr. KINGSTON) and to include 1993, military personnel, Air National Guard, extraneous matter:) appropriations, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1517(b); REPORTED BILL SEQUENTIALLY Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. to the Committee on Appropriations. REFERRED (The following Members (at the re- 1909. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Under clause 5 of Rule X, bills and re- quest of Mr. GANSKE) to revise and ex- for Legislative Affairs and Public Liaison, tend their remarks and include extra- Department of the Treasury, transmitting ports were delivered to the Clerk for neous material:) the Department’s second semiannual report printing, and bills referred as follows: Mr. EDWARDS. to Congress, as required by section 403 of the Mr. ROBERTS. Committee on Agriculture. Mr. WALSH. Mexican Debt Disclosure Act of 1995, and the H.R. 2130. A bill to amend the Farm Credit Mr. ROTH. December monthly report to Congress, as re- Act of 1971 to improve the efficiency and op- Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. quired by section 404 of the same act, pursu- eration of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage ant to Public Law 104–6, sections 403(a), Corporation in order better to ensure that Mrs. MALONEY. 404(a) (109 Stat. 89, 90); to the Committee on farmers, ranchers and rural home owners Mr. STOKES. Banking and Financial Services. will have access to a stable and competitive Mr. HAYWORTH. 1910. A letter from the Secretary of En- supply of mortgage credit now and in the fu- Mr. HINCHEY. ergy, transmitting the Department’s report ture; with an amendment; referred to the Mr. TORKILDSEN. entitled, ‘‘Annual Report on the State En- Committee on Banking and Financial Serv- f ergy Conservation Program for Calendar ices for a period ending not later than March ENROLLED BILLS AND JOINT Year 1994,’’ pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6325; to the 15, 1996, for consideration of such provisions RESOLUTION SIGNED Committee on Commerce. of the bill and amendment as fall within the 1911. A letter from the Director, Office of jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to Mr. THOMAS, from the Committee Administration, Executive Office of the clause 1(c), rule X (Rept. 104–446 Pt. 1). Or- on House Oversight, reported that that President, transmitting the White House dered to be printed. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H 187 SUBSEQUENT ACTION ON A RE- tax-exempt bonds for the economic develop- H.R. 1560: Mr. HILLIARD and Ms. SLAUGH- PORTED BILL SEQUENTIALLY ment of distressed communities; to the Com- TER. REFERRED mittee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1610: Mr. CRAMER. By Mr. MCHUGH: H.R. 1684: Mr. YATES, Mr. SKAGGS, Mr. Under clause 5 of Rule X the follow- H.R. 2848. A bill to provide for compensa- SKELTON, Mr. BEVILL, and Mr. SAWYER. ing action was taken by the Speaker: tion for Federal employees for emergency H.R. 1876: Ms. ESHOO, Mr. TORKILDSEN, and H.R. 1816. Referral to the Committee on service performed during periods of lapsed Mrs. LOWEY. Commerce extended for a period not to ex- appropriations; to the Committee on Appro- H.R. 2202: Mrs. FOWLER. ceed January 12, 1996. priations, and in addition to the Committee H.R. 2223: Mr. HINCHEY, Ms. PRYCE, Mr. f on Government Reform and Oversight, for a MANTON, Mr. FAWELL, Mr. SISISKY, Ms. period to be subsequently determined by the LOFGREN, Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey, Mr. DISCHARGED FROM CORRECTIONS Speaker, in each case for consideration of CLYBURN, Mr. KLINK, and Mr. BONIOR. CALENDAR such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- H.R. 2240: Mr. LANTOS. tion of the committee concerned. H.R. 2276: Mr. CANADY. Under clause 5 of Rule X, the follow- By Mr. MCNULTY: ing action was taken by the Speaker: H.R. 2433: Mr. JOHNSTON of Florida, Mr. H.R. 2849. A bill to establish the Hudson TALENT, Mr. DUNCAN, and Mr. SHAYS. H.R. 2685. Discharged from the Corrections and Mohawk Rivers National Historical Park H.R. 2579: Mr. BISHOP, Mr. ENGLISH of Calendar. in the State of New York, and for other pur- Pennsylvania, and Mr. FAZIO of California. f poses; to the Committee on Resources. H.R. 2610: Mr. COBLE. By Mr. STUMP (for himself and Mr. TIME LIMITATION OF REFERRED H.R. 2651: Mr. QUINN. MONTGOMERY) (both by request): H.R. 2658: Mr. CRAMER, Mr. FOX, Mr. FOGLI- BILL H.R. 2850. A bill to amend title 38, United ETTA, Mrs. CLAYTON, Mr. TAYLOR of Mis- States Code, to clarify the eligibility of cer- Pursuant to clause 5 of Rule X, the sissippi, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. ORTIZ, Ms. ESHOO, tain minors for burial in national ceme- Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. RUSH, Mr. following action was taken by the teries; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- Speaker: DOYLE, Mr. HYDE, Mr. FRAZER, Mr. MORAN, fairs. Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. BARRETT of H.R. 1816. Referral to the Committee on By Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota: Wisconsin, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. UPTON, Ms. RIV- Commerce extended for a period ending not H.J. Res. 156. Joint resolution making fur- ERS, and Miss COLLINS of Michigan. later than January 12, 1996. ther continuing appropriations for railroad H.R. 2664: Mr. ROSE. retirement benefits for fiscal year 1996, and f H.R. 2671: Mr. BAESLER, Ms. DANNER, Mr. for other purposes; to the Committee on Ap- HALL of Texas, Mr. GOSS, and Mr. POSHARD. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS propriations. H.R. 2677: Mr. BATEMAN and Mr. DEUTSCH. By Mr. LIVINGSTON: Under clause 5 of rule X and clause 4 H.R. 2685: Mr. DICKEY. H. Res. 331. Resolution to return a certain of rule XXII, public bills and resolu- H.R. 2690: Mr. JOHNSTON of Florida. bill to the Senate; to the Committee on Ap- tions were introduced and severally re- H.R. 2707: Mr. THOMPSON. propriations. H.R. 2727: Mr. TALENT and Mr. CHABOT. ferred as follows: By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. H.R. 2828: Mr. METCALF, Mr. GOSS, Mr. By Mr. LONGLEY: CRAMER, Mr. CLEMENT, Mr. DELLUMS, ROTH, Mr. WOLF, Mr. MICA, Mrs. MORELLA, H.R. 2842. A bill to provide for interest-free Mr. HEFNER, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. PELOSI, and Mrs. FOWLER. loans for furloughed Federal employees; to Ms. WOOLSEY, and Mr. WYNN): the Committee on Government Reform and H. Res. 332. Resolution amending the Rules H.R. 2837: Mr. RICHARDSON, Mr. ACKERMAN, Oversight. of the House of Representatives to prohibit a Mr. LEACH, Mrs. MEEK of Florida, Mr. HORN, By Mr. STUMP (for himself, Mr. MONT- House recess or adjournment during any pe- and Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. GOMERY, Mr. EVERETT, Mr. EVANS, riod of lapsed appropriations for the Federal H.R. 2841: Mr. KLECZKA, Mr. POSHARD, Mr. and Mr. SMITH of New Jersey): Government; to the Committee on Rules. SAXTON, Ms. MCCARTHY, Mr. FRANK of Massa- H.R. 2843. A bill to amend title 38, United By Mr. CONDIT (for himself, Mr. PE- chusetts, Mr. CRAMER, and Mr. SHAYS. States Code, to change the name of the Serv- TERSON of Minnesota, Mr. PETE H.J. Res. 155: Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, icemen’s Group Life Insurance Program to GEREN of Texas, Mr. BAESLER, Mr. Mr. WYNN, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mrs. CLAY- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, to PAYNE of Virginia, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. TON, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. FIELDS of Louisi- authorize the termination of life insurance MINGE, Mr. BREWSTER, Mr. CRAMER, ana, Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey, Ms. BROWN of under that program when premiums are not Ms. DANNER, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. STEN- Florida, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. KEN- paid, to provide for coverage under that pro- HOLM, Mr. SISISKY, Mr. POSHARD, Mr. NEDY of Massachusetts, Mr. LEWIS of Geor- gram to be provided automatically at the TANNER, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. gia, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. BISH- maximum level unless the servicemember DOOLEY, Mr. ROEMER, Mr. TAYLOR of OP, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. elects a lower level, and to make other im- Mississippi, Mr. BROWDER, Mr. THOMPSON, Mr. FOGLIETTA, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr. provements to life insurance programs ad- ORTON, and Ms. HARMAN): BECERRA, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. MORAN, Mrs. ministered by the Secretary of Veterans Af- H. Res. 333. Resolution providing for the SCHROEDER, Mr. VOLKMER, Mr. BARRETT of fairs; to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. consideration of H.R. 2530, a bill to provide Wisconsin, Mr. POMEROY, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. By Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Mr. for deficit reduction and achieve a balanced MENENDEZ, Mr. EDWARDS, Mr. WISE, Mr. KING, and Mr. MANTON): budget by fiscal year 2002; to the Committee SCHUMER, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. H.R. 2844. A bill to amend the Foreign As- on Rules. SKELTON, Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi, Mr. NADLER, Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. SCOTT, Ms. sistance Act of 1961 to authorize the Presi- f dent to issue loan guarantees for economic EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. HEF- development and job creation activities in ADDITIONAL SPONSORS NER, Ms. RIVERS, Mr. WARD, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. CLEMENT, Ms. NORTON, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ire- Under clause 4 of rule XXII, sponsors land; to the Committee on International Re- UNDERWOOD, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, lations. were added to public bills and resolu- Mr. BENTSEN, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, By Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois: tions as follows: Ms. PELOSI, and Mr. FARR. H.R. 2845. A bill to amend the Solid Waste H.R. 528: Mr. DOYLE, Mr. RICHARDSON, Mr. H. Con. Res. 47: Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Disposal Act to allow petitions to be submit- ROSE, Mr. THOMPSON, Mr. LEACH, Mr. MAR- H. Con. Res. 124: Mr. HOKE. ted to prevent certain waste facilities from TINI, and Mr. DURBIN. H. Res. 30: Mr. MCDERMOTT and Mr. JOHN- being constructed in environmentally dis- H.R. 938: Mr. PARKER and Mr. TAYLOR of SON of South Dakota. advantaged communities; to the Committee Mississippi. on Commerce. H.R. 1078: Mrs. LOWEY and Mr. OLVER. f By Mr. COYNE: H.R. 1127: Mr. ZIMMER and Mr. BARTON of H.R. 2846. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Texas. enue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for the H.R. 1161: Mrs. LOWEY. DELETIONS OF SPONSORS FROM cleanup of certain contaminated industrial H.R. 1202: Mr. FRAZER, Ms. NORTON, Mr. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS sites and to allow the use of tax-exempt re- VENTO, Mr. THOMPSON, Mrs. KENNELLY, Mr. Under clause 4 of rule XXII, sponsors development bonds for such cleanup; to the FALEOMAVAEGA, and Mr. GILCHREST. were deleted from public bills and reso- Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1500: Mrs. KENNELLY, Mrs. MALONEY, H.R. 2847. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Mr. MENENDEZ, and Mr. BRYANT of Texas. lutions as follows: enue Code of 1986 to permit the issuance of H.R. 1527: Mrs. VUCANOVICH. H.R. 393: Mr. ZIMMER. E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 104 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 142 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1996 No. 2 Senate (Legislative day of Wednesday, January 3, 1996)

The Senate met at 11 a.m., on the ex- Joint Resolution 153, a funding resolu- FUNDING FOR THE DISTRICT OF piration of the recess, and was called to tion for the District of Columbia until COLUMBIA order by the President pro tempore January 25, 1996, that the joint resolu- Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ap- [Mr. THURMOND]. tion be deemed read a third time and plaud the action taken this morning. I passed, and the motion to reconsider be believe that providing the District of PRAYER laid upon the table, all without any in- Columbia with the confidence of know- The Chaplain, Dr. Lloyd John tervening action or debate. ing that they will have the appropriate Ogilvie, offered the following prayer: The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is operating funds to continue at least Almighty God, Lord of our lives and there objection? through the 25th of January is very im- Sovereign of our beloved Nation, we Without objection, it is so ordered. portant. I talked to the Mayor this humbly confess our need for Your su- Mr. DOLE. I think it is clear that the morning, and he urged that this be pernatural power. Thank You that You effect of this will be to continue the done. I am pleased that, again on a bi- do not tailor our opportunities to our District of Columbia government until partisan basis, the Senate has agreed abilities, but rather give us wisdom, January 25 at which time we hope we to take at least one of the many out- standing problems out of the mix and strength, and vision to match life’s will have an agreement, or we will have deal with it directly. challenges. We surrender the pride of some permanent resolution of appro- thinking that we can make it on our priations bills and the D.C. appropria- f own resources. We are totally depend- tions bill. There is only one outstand- THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ent on You. We could not think a ing difference on that appropriations thought, give dynamic leadership, or Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, while I bill. It relates to vouchers. So, if that agree that it is right to deal with the speak persuasively without Your con- could be resolved, we could pass the problems facing the District of Colum- stant and consistent blessing. You are District of Columbia bill. bia, there should be no misunderstand- the source of all we have and are. We ing about the current situation. There praise You for the talents, education, SCHEDULE are hundreds and hundreds of problems and experience You have given us, but Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, for the in- that are being created almost on a we know that You alone can provide formation of my colleagues, leaders’ time has been reserved. There will be a daily basis that have not been dealt the insight, innovation, and inspiration with. Veterans are again in the same we need so urgently to meet the prob- period of morning business until 12 noon. position they were prior to Christmas. lems we face. You have told us there is If something is not done prior to the We are not expecting any rollcall no limit to what You will do to em- end of this month, veterans will not re- votes to occur during today’s session. I power leaders who trust You com- ceive their disability checks. pletely, and give You the glory. We am not certain whether or not any- If something is not done before the commit this day to glorify You in all thing may come from the House. There end of this month, AFDC recipients that we say and do. In Your all-power- is that possibility. But something may will not have their checks. ful name. Amen. come from the House. If something is not done before the f So I hope that maybe after Members end of this month, 260,000 Federal have had any discussion they want, we workers will have been out of work for RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY might stand in recess subject to the an entire month. And the taxpayers are LEADER call of the Chair. paying $40 million a day for this to The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The occur. able majority leader, Senator DOLE, is f How ironic can it be? The irony cer- recognized. tainly must be apparent to every one of f RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY the people involved. How ironic that at LEADER the very time we are dealing with the UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREE- budget, trying to find some resolution MENT—HOUSE JOINT RESOLU- The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The to the deficit, we are creating through TION 153 distinguished minority leader is recog- this irresponsible Government shut- Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, first I ask nized. down a $40 million deficit unneces- unanimous consent that when the Sen- Mr. DASCHLE. I thank the President sarily each and every day. It is just ate receives from the House, House pro tempore. outrageous.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

S 35 S 36 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 The Senate has, through leadership Mr. President, there has been a lot of the news, hundreds of people began of the majority leader and colleagues talk about furloughing Federal work- shouting with joy, ‘‘Statehood has been on both sides of the aisle, come to ers without pay. But it appears that proclaimed.’’ Bells and whistles rever- terms with this. We passed the con- the House may furlough themselves berated throughout the valley, and tinuing resolution. That issue is over with pay. How outrageous can that be? one-by-one, 100 American flags were and done with. What a contrast. What an incredible hoisted. What remains is for the House to act juxtaposition of fairness. The House is President Cleveland actually signed responsibly to do what they should going out on a 2-week vacation with the proclamation at 10:03 a.m. in Wash- have done weeks ago—to pass a con- pay. ington, DC. His private secretary, Mr. tinuing resolution, put people back to Every Federal worker is left at home Thurber, was quoted in the Salt Lake work, and make absolutely certain without pay and the Federal taxpayer Tribune as saying, that this horrendous situation we face is left holding the bag each and every The President looked upon the signing of today is solved once and for all. day for services not rendered. the proclamation as purely as Executive act, If we do not, there will continue to be This country has been in very dif- and one not, therefore, to be witnessed by dire consequences. Everyone should the public any more than the affixing of his ficult positions in the past. But I dare- signature to other routine business which know that Meals on Wheels runs out of say, Mr. President, that this is the came before him. money this week. Senior citizens who most inexplicable, outrageous situa- Let me emphatically state 100 years may only receive one meal a day will tion that I have seen since coming to later than President Cleveland’s act cease receiving those meals as a result the Senate. It has to end. The House was not just routine business—this was of the inaction in the House. Senior has to come to grips with taking the the birth of a truly remarkable State. citizens will go hungry. No one ought responsibility and doing the right Utah is great because its people to be confused about it. Everyone thing. It has to happen, and it better make it so. Utahns, regardless of reli- ought to understand the implications happen today. gious affiliation, hold solid values in of what we are doing here. Seniors who I yield the floor. common that I believe are essential to may not get any other nutritional op- f the quality of life anywhere. These in- portunities for the entire day will be clude a strong work ethic, honesty, denied this one meal as a result of MAKING FURTHER CONTINUING charity, compassion, thrift, persever- House Republican intransigence. APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DIS- ance, and respect for the family. There Medicare contractors are no longer TRICT OF COLUMBIA is a positive can do attitude in our being paid. Medicare contractors are The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. STE- State that is irresistible and refresh- now being asked to go out and provide VENS). For the information of the Sen- ing. medical services without any com- ate, under the previous order, House As our State motto indicates, Utah is pensation at all. Joint Resolution 153, which was just re- industrious. As we excel in the arts and So are we affecting the lives and ceived from the House, has been humanities, we also excel in the health of millions of Americans beyond deemed read a third time and passed, sciences and in commerce. This success Federal workers? Absolutely. We are and the motion to reconsider has been has brought us an enviable level of doing it today. laid upon the table. prosperity compared to other States, I already mentioned veterans not re- So the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 153) and sets the stage for a stable future ceiving their disability benefits. They was deemed read a third time and for our children. are not receiving educational benefits passed. Utah’s natural beauty is unsurpassed. either. The State of Utah has as a lasting and Unemployment offices—we have peo- f historical landmark, the Great Salt ple out of work, walking in for unem- MORNING BUSINESS Lake; the greatest snow on Earth; and ployment compensation, not knowing everything to offer in pure natural The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under how they are going to pay their bills. beauty. We are surrounded by the maj- Their situation is totally unrelated to the previous order, there will now be a esty of our mountains and forests; the any budget negotiations. They are period for the transaction of morning breathtaking beauty of our red rock walking into unemployment offices business for not to extend beyond the canyons; and the wide, open, limitless and finding that no one can provide hour of 12 noon with Senators per- expanse of our farmlands and deserts. them with service because 10 States mitted to speak therein for not to ex- People have come to Utah from every have already been forced to shut down ceed 10 minutes. part of the world with one basic moti- their unemployment offices. Ten f vation—the belief that this is the place States have shut down every single un- where they would find the opportunity COMMEMORATION OF UTAH’S employment office to pursue their hopes and dreams. CENTENNIAL So people seeking help—not Federal Utah’s history is filled with tales of employees, not people who may be part Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, 100 years people who have displayed remarkable of the Federal Government but people ago today, Utah became the 45th State determination and the will to forge who are out of work—are now being of the Union. I wish to join with ahead regardless of the odds. Our his- told there is nothing that we can do for Utahns everywhere and celebrate this tory and our people have literally made them either. momentous day, as I am sure my col- a desert blossom. Utah leaves an indel- Superfund has been halted now for leagues would as well, and I extend my ible impression upon its citizens, its cleanups in 32 toxic wastesites. There best wishes for the next century. visitors, and its leaders. The Utah val- are 32 sites around the country com- Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, 100 years ues and the people who believe in them pletely shut down as a result of what ago today, January 4, 1896, President are the reasons Utah is a wonderful has happened here in the Congress, and Grover Cleveland signed a proclama- place to live, work, and most impor- what is happening—or not happening— tion admitting Utah as the 45th State tantly raise our families. on the House side. of the Union. I rise in recognition of Mr. President, most of my colleagues There are 20,000 student loans per day this event and to join with Utahns ev- have had the opportunity to visit Utah that are not being processed. erywhere to celebrate the centennial of and experience the spirit that makes I had a call a couple of days ago from the State of Utah. our State what it is today. As many a friend in South Dakota whose daugh- Prior to President Cleveland’s action, have told me, they can fully under- ter is depressed and in tears wondering Utahns had diligently battled for more stand why I am so proud to represent just what is going to happen because than half a century to attain this goal. Utah in this body. I choose to bring she was told she cannot even go back The telegram announcing Utah’s state- this highly important date to the at- to college because her student loan did hood arrived at 9:13 a.m. on that winter tention of the Senate in the hope that not come through for the second se- morning in January at the Western my colleagues will join with me in con- mester. What happens to the next 6 Union office located on Main Street in gratulating all Utahns for a job well months of her life? Salt Lake City. As gunshots rang out done. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 37 I want to publicly recognize all of the BUDGET STALEMATE They are going to run out of money citizens of the great State of Utah and Mr. REID. Mr. President, I know that on the 7th. That is Saturday, or Sun- sincerely thank them for making Utah this is a Presidential election year. We day. The Federal courts are going to the wonderful place that it is today. I are going to have a hotly debated and run out of money. am honored to represent the people of contested Presidential election. But it About 15,000 employees of Government con- Utah, and I hope and pray that the is going to be on issues that are impor- tractors are temporarily out of work. next 100 years will be successful and tant, as indicated by the action taken On television last night in the news peaceful for all those who dwell within by the majority leader day before yes- it was very, very graphic—people with Utah’s borders. Happy 100th birthday terday. uniforms, protective uniforms, faces Utah. I commend and applaud publicly the covered, every part of their body cov- Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise action of the majority leader in allow- ered, working in toxic waste dumps, today to bring to the attention of the ing the Senate to pass a clean continu- being laid off. Senate the current celebration which is ing resolution. I say that because the The L.A. Times—this is not some- ongoing in my home State of Utah. issue of allowing the Federal workers thing just within the beltway. It is all With the beginning of this new year, to go to work is important. It is impor- over the country. The L.A. Times: Utah begins its centennial celebration tant to more than just the Federal Shutdown Begins To Hit Home Across the having been admitted to the Union of workers. Therefore, I think it is impor- United States. The effects of the shutdown have spread States in 1896. tant we talk about procedure so that gradually during the holidays, customarily a This 100-year mark is very signifi- people understand a little bit better slow time in the public and private sectors, cant considering the long struggle for what is going on. but this week the pace quickened and the the citizens of the Utah Territory to The House of Representatives yester- closure is being felt in everything from res- gain statehood in the late 19th century. day refused to allow to come to a taurants and tourist businesses to toxic waste cleanup. The people of the Utah Territory tried vote—they refused to allow the con- unsuccessfully for admission to the tinuing resolution that has passed the National parks, Mr. President, ac- Union six times—1849, 1856, 1862, 1872, Senate to come before the House to be cording to the New York Times, aver- 1882, and 1887—before being admitted in voted upon. They did that, the leader- age 383,000 visitors a day. They are 1896. ship in the House refused to let it come closed; a potential loss to businesses of forward, because they knew if it came $200 million a day. That $200 million Today, Utah is one of the fastest forward, it would pass. goes to people’s wages. Those people growing States in the country. Busi- That, to me, is a cowardly act. Why can buy cars. This, Mr. President, is an ness is thriving as more and more com- would they not let people stand in the economic disaster based upon an un- panies establish roots in the State. The light of day and cast their vote as to willingness of a certain small group of banking and financial industry have a whether or not this Government could people in the other body to allow an long history of success in Utah. Manu- continue to function? They refused to up-or-down vote on whether or not the facturing industry continues to grow do it because they knew if they CR should continue. Of course, it and succeed. Utah’s software industry brought it up for a vote, it would pass. should continue. is growing so rapidly that it has now There are some in the House who Mr. SARBANES. Will the Senator surpassed that of Silicon Valley. Utah think they are hurting what they hate; yield for just a moment? provides many opportunities for the namely, the Federal Government, but Mr. REID. I will be happy to yield to families that reside in the State. With they are hurting a lot more than just my friend from Maryland. six 4-year, degree-granting universities the Federal Government. Look at any Mr. SARBANES. I wish to add one and colleges, including four State in- newspaper, wherever it might be, in the further example. In Mariposa County, stitutions and two private institutions, United States today, and you will find CA—— Utah provides its citizens with many the same stories. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- opportunities to enhance their edu- I think the most illustrative appears ator from Nevada has the floor. cation and circumstances. Today, Utah in today’s USA Today. In today’s USA Mr. REID. I yield to him. He wanted is ranked among the stop States in the Today, Bangladesh, if not the poorest, to ask me a question. Nation for the quality of its graduates. one of the poorest countries in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Do so Again, Mr. President, it brings me world, is going to loan money to the through the Chair, please. Mr. SARBANES. Will the Senator great pleasure to join with the people United States to keep the Embassy yield for a question? of my State in celebrating during this open in Bangladesh. How embarrassing. Mr. REID. I will be happy to yield for centennial year. I would like to pay In Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest a question. countries, the government has offered a loan tribute to the many people who have Mr. SARBANES. I thought that was worked so hard to put together the [to the United States] to keep lights on at the United States embassy in Dhaka. the question that had been put earlier, events that are taking place this week I say to the Chair. It is hurting more than Federal and throughout the remainder of this The PRESIDING OFFICER. No. year. In particular I would like to sin- workers. Alabama ran out of Federal Mr. SARBANES. Is the Senator gle out Mr. Steve Studdert for the fine unemployment money, as did many aware that apparently, other States. job he has done as chairman of the In Mariposa County, CA, home of Yosemite Utah Centennial Commission. Addi- U.S. embassies around the world are being National Park, which has been closed tionally, thanks goes to Gov. Mike forced to beg for credit. through one of the busiest times of the year, Leavitt and his many predecessors who You have businesses and govern- the number of private sector layoffs has have worked so hard over the past 100 ments throughout the world saying the climbed to over 1,600 people. Most are hotel, years to make Utah what it is today. United States cannot pay, will you give restaurant, and gas station workers who usu- Of course we cannot forget our pioneer us some credit. ally can depend on the revenue they collect founders who saw the vision of what during the holiday season to carry them In Miami— until the summer. One-fourth of the adults the desert could yield and put forth the This same newspaper reports— in that county are out of work. Officials hard work to cultivate and culture the fishing guide Mike Haines has lost $3,000 in there have declared an economic emergency. Rocky Mountain valleys we now call the past 2 weeks. Haines takes people on I say, is this not yet another example home. fishing trips in Everglades National Park of the kind of harm that is being felt For Utahns who find themselves which shut down December 20. across the country as a consequence of transplanted to Washington, DC, I Now, 2 months after fulfilling his boyhood this closure of the Government? would like to announce that a celebra- dream of being a full-time fishing guide, Mr. REID. I would respond to my Haines is scrambling to make ends meet. tion will be held here on the 27th of The Federal court system, including the friend’s question that the answer is January, commemorating Utah’s cen- Supreme Court, is running out of funds. It yes. Even in Reno, NV, northern Ne- tennial. My staff and I can be con- has tapped into a $120 million emergency vada, why, we have significant num- tacted for further details. fund drawn from fees collected by the courts. bers of people coming from California S 38 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 all the time, and they many times do ginia. So I thank my distinguished col- Mortgages. Work has halted on an es- continue when they are visiting Yo- league from Nevada for mentioning timated 200 million mortgages a day on semite, which is so close to Nevada. Congressman DAVIS. I said yesterday mortgage loan processing for American That has been lost. publicly he and other Republicans in people. This is felt by not only Federal work- the House of Representatives from this Veterans’ Administration. That ers; this is felt by non-Federal workers, area indeed deserve a great deal of per- 170,000 veterans are not going to re- and it is really reverberating through- sonal credit for their courage in this ceive their benefits. out the entire United States. And I situation. Mr. President, I say that this has also respond to my friend that it is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The gotten out of hand. This is not fair to going to get worse, as indicated in Chair is going to add 2 minutes to the the Federal workers, but more impor- these newspapers about which I was time of the Senator from Nevada be- tantly it is not fair to a wide segment talking. cause of the statement from the Sen- of the American population. This has The L.A. Times goes on to say that ator from Virginia. The Senator is rec- got to stop. It is folly. I say, let those ‘‘at the other end of the economic spec- ognized for 2 minutes. His first 10 min- people come forward and allow an up- trum’’—they are talking about people. utes has expired. or-down vote in the House of Rep- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I think we The reason they say this is, unemploy- resentatives. Speaker GINGRICH should should recognize that this should be a ment compensation checks, as indi- allow an up-or-down vote if he believes bipartisan resolution of the problems cated by the minority leader, are not in the democratic process. we have facing this Government. I have being sent out in a number of States, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- not been a party to the talks with the but at the other end of the economic ator’s time has expired. President, the two leaders from the spectrum, many businesses are unable Mr. WARNER addressed the Chair. House and the Senate. I hope they are to obtain needed export licenses or are The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- progressing, but they are very difficult. ator from Virginia. being left with no way to obtain re- We know that. quired Federal approval of special im- There are 80 different issues that are f ports or other transactions. issues dealing with public policy that THE PRESIDENT’S VETO OF THE That is jobs. It is fancy talk, but it they have to work out. There has been INTERIOR BILL means jobs. an agreement on both sides that there Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, the Also, the Securities and Exchange should be a balanced budget, there Commission cannot approve various of- should be a balanced budget within 7 President vetoed the Interior bill De- ferings that have been made. Why is years. They will use CBO figures. That cember 18. We are not here to try and that important? It is important be- has been stated publicly. That is not a reopen the debate in terms of what has cause each time a new company, a new secret. But in the meantime, let the taken place in the past, but I must say stock offering is made, people are Government go forward and go back to that this action by the President of hired, put to work. They are simply work, as it should. vetoing the bills that were passed in not being put to work, all because a I also say there are a few people—the the Congress just simply cannot help few people in the other body refuse— House leadership is holding up the abil- but to worsen the situation. the leadership led by the Speaker of ity to vote on a CR. What are they This particular bill, of course, em- the House of Representatives refuses to afraid of? They are afraid of the fact braces so many of our national parks allow that issue to come to a vote. that if this comes up for a vote before and other places that people come from I see in the Chamber my friend from the House of Representatives, it would all over the world to visit, as well as the State of Virginia. One of his fellow pass. I understand that in the House of our own citizens. This has been a point Members of Congress, Congressman Representatives yesterday in a secret of very significant contention, the fact DAVIS, with whom I am not personally meeting that they had, a Republican that people who have planned for a familiar but someone I have followed, conference or caucus, 54 Republicans long time to visit these sites and many he publicly, a Republican, spoke out there voted to have this brought to the others cannot do so as a consequence of yesterday saying let us at least have a floor. It would pass. Clearly it would this deadlocked situation between the vote on the House floor as to whether pass. Congress and the President. or not a continuing resolution should Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- f pass. sent for 3 additional minutes. ENDING THE BUDGET STALEMATE Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, will the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Senator yield for a question? an objection? Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I join Mr. REID. I would be happy to yield The Chair would state under the pre- all those who wish the President and for a question. vious order morning business would indeed the leadership of both the House Mr. WARNER. I just left, Mr. Presi- not extend beyond the hour of 12 and the Senate to get these talks to dent, Congressman DAVIS’ office. The o’clock. reach a point where we can have a rec- delegation here in the greater metro- Mr. REID. I ask for 2 minutes. onciliation of this problem. We have fi- politan area, Congressman DAVIS, my- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nally, after some months, focused the ator is recognized for 2 minutes. self, Congresswoman MORELLA, who country’s attention on the need for a Mr. REID. I say that Mr. President, represents Montgomery County, and balanced budget. And that is the cen- because I have been interrupted a cou- Congressman WOLF, and we were joined terpiece of this controversy. But I feel ple times. that this shutdown is taking the public by Congressman BATEMAN, who rep- Mr. President, the Los Angeles attention away from that important resents the Tidewater district of Vir- Times: ginia, all met this morning, as we have and historic landmark achievement by . . . budget analysts warned Wednesday been regularly meeting on this. that if the standoff continues for even a few the leadership of both the Senate and I wish to inform my distinguished more days, the impact will spread to larger the House, and others; that is, bringing colleague that Congressman DAVIS and and larger slices of the American economy a final agreement on a balanced budget the entire group this morning unani- and stopgap solutions will be more difficult within a 7-year period of time. mously are going to do everything they to achieve. If the President would be forthcom- can to oppose the House of Representa- Several federal agencies reported that they ing, if he would be forthcoming with a tives going into recess tonight, as con- have begun to halt contracts with private balanced budget, with his own ideas as companies that provide supplies or services templated for a period to extend per- for federal programs. The White House Office to how he can achieve it within that 7- haps until the State of the Union Ad- of Management and Budget said [that] no year period of time with the CBO fig- dress around the 22d or 23d of January, overall estimates are available, [but they are ures, I think these negotiations could while these employees are out of work. strong]. very quickly resolve such differences I shall on my own time—and perhaps It is the same in other newspapers. that remain and allow the current these statements could be charged to The New York Times talks about the stalemate to be concluded. time I will eventually seek—talk about real problems that face this Govern- Mr. President, earlier I spoke about the ripple effect here in northern Vir- ment. the meeting on the House side this January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 39 morning with Virginia Representatives political shenanigans now going on in Wash- I appreciate your leadership and wish you DAVIS, WOLF, BATEMAN, Congress- ington. While you are not directly involved and your staff a blessed and prosperous New the respective parties leadership must stop woman MORELLA, who represents Year. this nonsensical attempts to outwit the Montgomery County, MD, and myself. Sincerely, other side for political gain. It is time for JOHN FULTON. We meet regularly throughout each your colleagues to put aside their egos and Mr. WARNER. I yield the floor. day. But this morning we reported as a do the work Congress was elected to do, and group first that in our own metropoli- within the framework of the Constitution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the tan area the SAIC Corp., private con- Our country is already in a sorry state due Senator from New Mexico seek the tractors, furloughed some 600 people. primarily to congressional incompetence floor? over the years, and these situations only Mr. BINGAMAN. Yes, Mr. President. DynCorp, another private contractor, make matters worse. Perhaps one answer to has furloughed 700 people. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the ‘‘stalemate’’ problem might be to ex- ator is recognized for 10 minutes. We had the transportation represent- clude the media from all deliberations and atives in to see us this morning, pri- eliminate press conferences. In any event, f marily the taxicab operators in north- you and your colleagues must get your act LIVELIHOODS DISRUPTED ern Virginia. Their business is abso- together, for the good of our country. lutely devastated. Yesterday we met Having said the above we, like most of Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I your senior citizen constituents, only ask wanted to comment on two major with those of the hotel industry and that in your deliberations and voting that the restaurant industry. Their business items today. First—this is a somewhat we be treated equally and fairly. new item. I believe it is a new example is being devastated. Sincerely, of the abrogation of responsibility by So the ripple effect, Mr. President, is T.H. CONAWAY, Jr. impacting the greater metropolitan MARGARET P. CONAWAY the House Republican leadership. For area, and indeed in many other places 20 days we have been holding three- throughout the United States. It is im- VIENNA, VA, quarters of a million Federal civil serv- December 29, 1995. perative that all of us bring to bear our ants hostage in this effort to exercise Hon. JOHN W. WARNER, best judgment to try and resolve this what Speaker GINGRICH calls his right U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. not to pass spending bills. problem. DEAR SENATOR WARNER: I am writing to ex- Mr. President, I wish to include in to- press my concern and dismay over the way He has referred to that many times in interviews. As a result, as the Sen- day’s RECORD just samples of the thou- in which this congress is conducting the sands of communications being for- work of the Nation. ator from Virginia was just pointing As a lifelong Republican, I am embarrassed out, many Americans—contract work- warded to my office, both by telephone and appalled at the recent actions taken by and by letter. I am certain that this is ers, those planning to travel, those members of our party which have resulted in seeking export licenses, those seeking taking place in other offices here in the a partial shutdown of government oper- Senate. As a matter of fact, Congress- ations, financial problems for thousands of federally insured mortgages—have had their livelihoods disrupted. man BATEMAN said he cannot even get federal employees and private contractors, through to his office in Tidewater, VA, cost to the nation of millions of dollars in Now the leadership in the House has today because of the volume of commu- federal funds wasted daily and gross incon- added the military personnel of the nications from his constituents. venience to our citizens nationwide. The country to the list of those whose live- lack of mature leadership and responsibility lihoods are being disrupted. But one letter dated December 12 of demonstrated by Republican members of last year from a retired Navy captain, Yesterday, the House failed to over- both the House and Senate in this situation ride the President’s veto of the Defense signed both by himself and his wife, is without historical precedence in the 44 simply says: years that I have been privileged to be a authorization bill. And when they did that, Congressman DELLUMS sought to Our country is already in a sorry state due party member and vote!! It would appear primarily to congressional incompetence that a significant number of congressional bring up S. 1514, which is a bill that the over the years, and these situations only members have forgotten a fundamental prin- Senate passed last Saturday to ensure make matters worse. Perhaps one answer to ciple of our Democracy—the ends don’t jus- that our troops get their full January the ‘‘stalemate’’ problem might be to ex- tify the means! If this behavior continues pay raise, both their basic pay and sub- clude the media from all deliberations and there will be no need for term limits. There is no rational reason why the issue sistence pay, which are to increase 2.4 eliminate press conferences. of ongoing day to day operations of our gov- percent, and their quarters pay, which This is sort of the typical reaction of ernment cannot be separated from the larg- is to increase 5.2 percent. an individual who has dedicated his life er, and critically important, budget deficit When the Senate passed the bill last as a public servant here in the military problems. We must separate these issues; get Saturday, the Presiding Officer, Sen- to try and keep our Nation strong but the government and related businesses back ator STEVENS, made the statement: expressing his own views. to work and focus on the central issue before ‘‘Mr. President, this bill should not be A second letter, December 29, 1995, the Nation—the re-prioritization of our na- tional goals, priorities, programs and com- controversial. The President asked from Mr. John Fulton of Vienna, VA, mitments necessary to balance our budget that it be passed and has said that he indicates he is a lifelong Republican, and relieve our children and grandchildren of will sign it as soon as he receives it.’’ but he says: the horrendous 4 trillion dollar debt. If the Congressman DELLUMS yesterday There is no rational reason why the issue congress and administration are unable to tried to bring it up in time so that the of ongoing day to day operations of our gov- resolve this issue before the next election Pentagon could ensure that troops re- ernment cannot be separated from the larg- then let the voters decide who they want to ceive their full pay in their first Janu- er, and critically important, budget deficit entrust the challenge to. ary paycheck. He was refused. problems. I am also greatly concerned about the pro- posed capital gains tax cuts and child tax Mr. President, when we have troops I certainly agree with these constitu- credits. If our party is serious about deficit in Bosnia and when our troops are ents. reduction and restoring our Nation’s fiscal proudly around the globe in other po- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- health and credibility we should recruit all tential hot spots—South Korea, the sent that these letters be printed in the Americans to share in the sacrifice—sustain Middle East—the House Republicans RECORD. the cuts, drop all tax cuts and apply all the should not be adding them to the list of savings toward the $4,000,000,000,000 + deficit! There being no objection, the letters people who are being inconvenienced were ordered to be printed in the Any other course of action will be correctly viewed by the American people as a sham, and whose livelihoods are being dis- RECORD, as follows: catering to wealthy-special interest groups rupted by inaction in Congress. This is VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, and we will (and should) pay at election yet another example of where Senate December 12, 1995. time. This is a year when those of us who Republicans have acted responsibly in Hon. JOHN W. WARNER, have profited greatly from stocks/bonds in- carrying out their duties under the U.S. Senate, vestments should be willing to make a con- Constitution; House Republicans have Washington, DC. tinued investment in the Nation which made not. The Senate acted last Saturday on DEAR SENATOR WARNER: I am a retired those earnings possible—through capital naval officer, having served forty years in gains and other revenues. When we get our the Stevens-Thurmond bill as soon as the Navy, and my wife a homemaker for nation out of debt we can cut taxes—and all the President vetoed the Defense au- fifty-four years are most concerned with the celebrate! thorization bill. I am sure many Senate S 40 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 Republicans do not agree with the Those who wrote our Constitution es- that he would keep it on the table in a President’s veto of that Defense au- tablished a system of government new session. I cannot conceive of the thorization bill, but they were not where power is shared, but also a sys- President this fall, for example, when going to allow their differences with tem of government where responsibil- we send him appropriations bills, I can- the President on that larger issue to ity is shared, and part of that respon- not conceive of him signing a legisla- adversely affect our troops. sibility that is shared is the respon- tive appropriations bill before all of Mr. President, I can only hope that sibility to maintain a functioning Gov- the executive branch appropriations the House Republican leadership will ernment. bills have been completed. It would not reverse course today. Their refusal to Mr. SARBANES. Will the Senator make any sense, if this is the new con- take up and to pass that military pay yield for a question? text in which we operate. bill yesterday was inexcusable. I hope Mr. BINGAMAN. I will be glad to Mr. SARBANES. Will the Senator they will do our military personnel and yield to the Senator from Maryland for yield for a further question? all Americans a service by bringing it a question. Mr. BINGAMAN. Yes, I will be glad up and passing it today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to yield. f ator from Maryland. Mr. SARBANES. Representative Mr. SARBANES. I say to the distin- BOEHLERT stated in mid-November, and IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND guished Senator from New Mexico, I quote him: ‘‘You have a group in our SESSION OF THIS CONGRESS given our constitutional arrangements conference who could not care less if Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, let of separation of powers and checks and the Government shuts down. They will me speak about one other issue that I balances, if both branches do not act be cheering.’’ am quite concerned about, and that is responsibly, how can we meet our re- I submit, shutting the Government the implication of what is going on sponsibilities under the Constitution? down is a default in carrying out your now for the work of this Congress in We have a situation here, as I per- responsibilities as an elected Member the second session and in future ses- ceive it, in which a coercive tactic is of the legislative branch. You have to sions. There has been a lot of talk being employed which I understand has separate out the matter of carrying forward the normal functions of Gov- about hostage-taking. There was a very never been used previously in our Na- ernment, on which millions of people good editorial that has been referred to tion’s history. That is, a certain group, across the country depend, from dis- in the Washington Post yesterday in order to get its way on a substantive putes you may be having over particu- about how the current shutdown is an issue, is prepared to use as a tactic the closing down of the Government with lar issues. example of hostage-taking. Yet, the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- all of the harm that inflicts, not only editorial stated, I thought, very elo- ator’s time has expired. quently: on the Federal employees but through- Mr. COCHRAN addressed the Chair. Hostage-taking is an ugly business. It out the private sector. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- doesn’t matter what the cause. Innocent peo- This is a classic example of using any ator from Mississippi. ple are seized and used as pawns; they be- means to get to your end, even though Mr. COCHRAN addressed the Chair. come political trading stamps whose welfare the means that are being used here re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- is exchanged for things the hostage-taker sult in a breakdown of our constitu- ator from Mississippi is recognized. could not win by normal means. tional system of democratic govern- f Obviously, the most dramatic exam- ment. What is the Senator’s perception ple of hostage-taking in recent history with respect to that? REGARDING THE RESOLUTION in this country was the hostage-taking Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ap- COMMENDING BRETT FAVRE in Iran in November 1979. It could be preciate the question very much, and I Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, yes- debated whether the current Govern- agree entirely with what the Senator terday the Senate passed, at my re- ment shutdown rises to the level of a from Maryland is saying. I believe it is quest, a resolution commending Brett hostage-taking. Perhaps this is just a a breakdown of our system. I believe Favre, from my State, who was named using of public servants, Federal em- the Founding Fathers who set up our earlier this week as the most valuable ployees, as pawns in a larger political system of government intended that all player in the National Football game, and I will leave to others the de- of us in Government, whether in the League. Brett, as Senators know, is the bate about whether this is, in fact, a legislative branch or in the executive quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. hostage-taking. branch, would work together to try to When I introduced the resolution, I But, Mr. President, in my view, when maintain a functioning Government did so on my behalf and TRENT LOTT, as each of us took our oath of office, and and to resolve disputes. That is not a cosponsor. I learned, after adopting that oath included the duty to protect happening now. the resolution, that the two distin- and defend the Constitution, implied in I was particularly bothered by an ar- guished Senators from Wisconsin want- that was the responsibility to maintain ticle on December 2 in the Washington ed their names to be added as cospon- a functioning Government. Now, that Post where it talked about the impasse sors of the resolution. I looked at the is not written into the Constitution, that was existing, and it referred to the RECORD and it does reflect that later in the RECORD. I wanted to make a point but I think it is clearly implied that chairman of the Appropriations Com- of saying that I had not received that those of us who seek public office will mittee in the House, Mr. LIVINGSTON. It information at the time the resolution take on that responsibility. said: was submitted and passed by the Sen- We can argue about what the Govern- Livingston and other Republicans yester- ate. ment ought to do, we can argue about day boasted that after weeks of standoff over spending issues, the momentum had shifted I was going to ask unanimous con- how large the Government ought to be, sent that the distinguished Senators we can argue about how many employ- in the Republicans’ direction when the Presi- HERB KOHL and RUSS FEINGOLD be ees ought to be hired by the Federal dent accepted the defense spending bill. ‘‘I think that once the defense bill was off the added as cosponsors, but that is re- Government, but the basic responsibil- table, the administration lost the leverage it flected in the RECORD. So I am pleased ity to maintain a functioning Govern- really had planned on using,’’ Livingston that they joined us in the resolution ment is something about which I think said. He added that most of the remaining commending and congratulating Brett is very difficult for us to argue. spending bills include programs that ‘‘are a Favre for the great honor that he re- The Republican leadership in the greater concern to the President’’ than to ceived. many other Members of Congress. House has taken a different view. They (At the request of Mr. DASCHLE, the are saying that as to the parts of the To me, that does not bode well for following statement was ordered to be Government which today remain the rest of our deliberations in the sec- printed in the RECORD.) closed, they do not share that respon- ond session of the Congress. If the f sibility to maintain those parts of the President needed to keep the Defense Government functioning. They believe appropriations bill on the table in CONGRATULATING BRETT FAVRE that is the President’s problem, it is order to be able to bargain with the ∑ Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise not their problem. House, then the obvious message is today with my colleagues, Senators January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 41

RUSS FEINGOLD, THAD COCHRAN, and I ask unanimous consent to yield to that for one side to gain its way, it TRENT LOTT, to congratulate Green him at this moment to respond to that brings the Government to a halt and Bay Packers’ quarterback, and Kiln, question. inflicts all of this harm that is being MS, native Brett Favre for winning the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without felt across the country? 1995 National Football League Most objection, it is so ordered. I ask unanimous consent that a Valuable Player Award. The Senator from New Mexico is rec- Washington Post story giving examples After leading the Green Bay Packers ognized. of such harm be printed in the RECORD to their first National Football Con- f at the end of my remarks. ference [NFC] Central Division title The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without THE SHUTDOWN since 1972, Brett Favre ran away with objection, it is so ordered. the National Football League Most Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ap- (See exhibit 1.) Valuable Player voting, capturing 69 preciate the Senator from Maryland. I Mr. SARBANES. The headline is: votes from a nationwide panel of 88 will be brief. I did want to conclude my ‘‘Day 19: Federal Siege Takes Public, sports writers and broadcasters. answer to his question. Private Hostages.’’ Favre’s numbers speak for themselves, I think what we have is a very trou- It says: as he threw an NFC record 38 touch- blesome development in the way that The partial shutdown of the federal gov- down passes for over 4,400 yards pass- the Congress and the President are ernment dragged through its 19th straight ing. This would be considered an amaz- interacting. It seems that the Congress day yesterday with one clear effect. It took even more hostages. ing accomplishment for any quarter- is going to take the view that it only has a responsibility to enact a Defense Health officials in Nebraska, facing a wide- back; however, couple it with nagging spread flu outbreak, urged Federal officials injuries over a 17-week season, and bill, that other bills can go their own to reopen the Centers for Disease Control you’ve described the iron-willed ‘‘Lead- way—and, of course, its own appropria- and Prevention to help them assess and con- er of the Pack,’’ Brett Favre. tion, the legislative appropriation tain the problem. The federal Meals on Brett Favre has emerged as a true bill—and it is up to the President to Wheels Program, which delivers hot food star in the National Football League. try to get the others enacted. If that is daily to more than 600,000 needy senior citi- His Most Valuable Player Award is the the case, then you have essentially a zens, is running out of money and may be partially closed by week’s end. The Peace first for any Green Bay Packer since hostage-taking or a standoff, which I think is very destructive of the system Corps, also desperately short of cash, began 1966, when then Packer quarterback drawing up plans to recall some or all of its and MVP Bart Starr led the Green and of Government as it was intended. 7,200 members worldwide if the shutdown Gold to its first of two Super Bowl This hostage-taking can be a two- persists much longer. championships. The Packers and all way street. Hostage-taking begets In Mariposa County, CA, home to Yosemite their loyal fans hope history repeats it- more hostage-taking. As I indicated be- National Park, which has been closed self this year. fore, the President would be ill-ad- throughout one of its busiest times of the On behalf of Wisconsinites and Green vised, in my opinion, if these are going year, the number of private-sector layoffs climbed past 1,600. Most are hotel, res- Bay Packers’ fans everywhere, I con- to be the ground rules for the inter- action with the Congress, to sign a leg- taurant and gas station workers who usually gratulate you, Brett Favre, on your can depend on the revenue that they collect MVP season and a job well done.∑ islative appropriations bill in this new during the holiday season to carry them f session of Congress until all appropria- until the summer. tions bills for the executive branch One-fourth of the adults in the county are THE BUDGET IMPASSE have been signed and put into law. now out of work, and officials there have de- Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, it is I am also greatly concerned that we clared an economic emergency. becoming more obvious every day that are not going to be able to get good co- This is no way to do business, obvi- the White House is not prepared to operation between the Legislature and ously. There is no reason to it. It does reach an agreement with the Congress the President on doing a Defense ap- not make common sense. There is a to balance the budget. We have not propriation bill. If, as Congressman tremendous ripple effect throughout seen any specific proposal from the ad- LIVINGSTON points out, once the Presi- the private sector of people dependent ministration to make any changes that dent signs the Defense appropriations on Federal contracts and Federal ac- would, in fact, lead to a balanced budg- bill, the Congress is then absolved from tivities. Needlessly and harmfully the et. They are unnecessarily shutting the responsibility to work with the shutdown is resulting in laying off peo- down Government services and pro- President on getting the other appro- ple in the private as well as the public grams and furloughing Government priations bills signed, that, to me, is a sector. workers. very troublesome situation, which I The distinguished Senator from Vir- The Congress must now act to iden- take as a great problem for all of us. ginia, in his comments earlier, made tify the activities that should be fund- Mr. President, I appreciate the reference to one such occurrence about ed and pass legislation that puts people chance to respond, and I hope that a which he had received notice only this who are really needed back to work. reasonable resolution of these problems morning. Currently half a million Fed- There has been too much political can be found. I thank the Senator from eral workers are coming to work and grandstanding. It is time for that to Maryland for the time. not getting a paycheck. Another quar- end. Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I ter of a million have been furloughed We should not give up our goal of briefly want to add to the comments of and are not getting paychecks. Work- getting spending under control and bal- the Senator from New Mexico on this ers in the private sector now are not ancing the budget. That probably particular matter. To make our con- going to get paychecks. How is it an- means electing a new President later stitutional system work requires, I be- ticipated that people will be able to this year who will cooperate with the lieve, a certain amount of restraint and handle this situation? Congress in this effort. In the mean- good judgment on the part of all The Federal workers are told that time, I am prepared, and I know other decisionmakers. It must be an essential once they go back, they will be paid. Senators are prepared to work with the premise of our system that one is not But who can bridge the intervening pe- Republican majority and with like- willing to subvert everything, in effect riod? Unfortunately, there may be a minded Democrats to get the Govern- to bring the whole building crashing lack of sensitivity in the Congress be- ment back in business with reductions down, in order to get your way. I never cause, many Members have significant in those programs that should be cut understood democracy to work that economic means and, therefore, the back, and to resolve this impasse. way. There has to be a certain amount loss of a paycheck—which is not hap- Mr. SARBANES addressed the Chair. of accommodation. Obviously, the pening for them—does not really place The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- basic functions of Government should a burden upon them. They can handle ator from Maryland is recognized. continue. Are we to reach a state of af- that situation. But most people are not Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I fairs where every time there is a sharp so well situated. Whether they work posed a question to the Senator from policy difference—and people can obvi- for the Federal Government or whether New Mexico and his time then expired. ously hold sharply different opinions— they are in the private sector, they S 42 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 need a regular paycheck in order to Are we going to descend, deteriorate to close or to keep some of their business meet their obligations, such as mort- into such practices in the Congress, going. gage payments, car payments, and thereby falling short of meeting the re- The Peace Corps also has stayed partially open during the shutdown by using leftover school payments. sponsibilities I think we have under Nearly half of the Federal employ- funds from the last fiscal year. That pool of the Constitution? Mr. President, Con- money is now drying up. Officials said that if ees—46 percent—make less than $35,000 gress and the President should reopen the shutdown persists another week or so a year. Three quarters of all Federal the Government now as the majority they may be forced to recall volunteers who employees make less than $50,000 a leader sought to do when he moved the work in 95 countries, because the agency will year. Less than 1 percent—six-tenths of continuing resolution and sent it over not be able to pay their living allowances. 1 percent of all Federal employees— to the House. House adoption of it ‘‘We’re having to take a very serious look make over $100,000 a year. Members of would bring this crisis to an end. at that as this goes on,’’ said Andre Oliver, a Congress make more than that. Close Peace Corps spokesman. EXHIBIT 1 to 100 percent of all Federal employees The furlough also has begun to threaten [From the Washington Post, Jan. 4, 1996] the complicated process by which scientists, make less than Members of Congress. universities and other research organizations Now, these employees cannot move DAY 19: FEDERAL SIEGE TAKES PUBLIC, PRIVATE HOSTAGES apply to the National Institutes of Health from period to period without a pay- (By Rene Sanchez) (NIH) for money to finance experiments and check. We need to put them back to other scientific studies. work. The partial shutdown of the federal gov- January is the beginning of a thrice-yearly The New York Times had an editorial ernment dragged through its 19th straight cycle in which grant applications are re- day yesterday with one clear effect. It took viewed by committees of outside experts, and this morning, and I ask unanimous even more hostages. consent that the editorial be printed in then recommendations on whether to fund Health officials in Nebraska, facing a wide- them is passed on to NIH officials. None of the RECORD at the conclusion of my re- spread flu outbreak, urged federal officials to the preparation for that is occurring. marks. reopen the Centers for Disease Control and NIH also has about 2,000 grants that have The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Prevention to help them assess and contain been approved but whose financing hasn’t objection, it is so ordered. the problem. The federal Meals on Wheels been provided to the researchers in the last (See exhibit 2.) Program, which delivers hot food daily to month. About half are multi-year projects Mr. SARBANES. The editorial stat- more than 600,000 needy senior citizens, is already underway, and about half are for new ed: running out of money and may be partially research waiting to begin. The turmoil and uncertainty created by closed by week’s end. The Peace Corps, also ‘‘We’re all sort of teetering on the edge vast numbers of Federal workers not going desperately short of cash, began drawing up now,’’ said Wendy Baldwin, NIH’s deputy di- to work or not being paid is poisoning the at- plans to recall some or all of its 7,200 mem- rector for extramural research. ‘‘There’s a mosphere for progress on the budget. Too bers worldwide if the shutdown persists whole cascade of scheduling in jeopardy.’’ much longer. much hardship has already been inflicted, EXHIBIT 2 In Mariposa County, Calif., home to Yo- not only on the 760,000 unpaid workers, but [From the New York Times, Jan. 4, 1996] on millions of Americans who cannot get semite National Park, which has been closed THE BUDGET SCRUM visas, loans, or any number of other Federal throughout one of its busiest times of the services. Congress and the President should year, the number of private-sector layoffs For fans of political games, President Clin- reopen the government now. climbed past 1,600. Most are hotel, res- ton put on a rip-roaring show yesterday, as I absolutely agree with that senti- taurant and gas station workers who usually he charged right through the budget rift that can depend on the revenue that they collect has opened up on the Republican side be- ment. There is a colleague in the during the holiday season to carry them tween Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole. The new House, in the Republican leadership in until the summer. year thus dawns with the surprising spec- the House, who said in mid-November, One-fourth of the adults in the county are tacle of two archrivals, Mr. Dole and Mr. ‘‘You have a group in our conference now out of work, and officials there have de- Clinton, trying to look like grown-ups while who could not care less if the Govern- clared an economic emergency. The local the Republicans in the House insist childshly ment shuts down. They will be cheer- newspaper has launched a food drive for that the only way to apply leverage on the ing.’’ What an abdication of respon- those in need, and radio stations in the Yo- President is to keep the Government closed. sibility. semite area are urging residents in neighbor- More and more it looks as if the zealous Do Members of Congress, as my dis- ing counties to drive over and do business freshmen are calling the shots in the House. there. Say this for the freshmen Republicans. In tinguished colleague from New Mexico ‘‘Who’s paying the price for this? Not Con- theory they are just the kind of people the states, think they have no responsibil- gress or the president, but the average citi- public says it wants in politics—men and ity for ensuring that the Government zen,’’ said Michael Coffield, the Mariposa women of principle who have a lot more on continues to function and providing County administrator. ‘‘All the money our their minds than re-election. But zeal needs the basic services upon which so many residents are losing is gone for good. Every to be harnessed to a caring practicality. In of our people are dependent? day, it is getting more and more dire.’’ the current impasse, Mr. Clinton and Mr. The people in the private sector, Ever since the shutdown began, President Dole have it right. The turmoil and uncer- some will go bankrupt out of this esca- Clinton and congressional Democrats have tainty created by vast numbers of Federal pade. They will go bankrupt. I have insisted that it would pose significant hard- workers not going to work or not being paid had people call my office who say, ‘‘We ships, and Clinton made his most strident re- is poisoning the atmosphere for progress on marks yet on that subject yesterday by tick- the budget. Too much hardship has already are not going to be able to make it. We ing off a lengthy list of problems he said the been inflicted, not only on the 760,000 unpaid set up a small private business and government’s partial closure is causing workers, but on millions of Americans who things were working fairly well and Americans. cannot get visas, loans or any number of now we are confronting a situation But some Republican leaders have coun- other Federal services. Congress and the where we may well go under.’’ For 19 tered by saying the shutdown shows how President should reopen the Government days now we have been through this large parts of the government do not affect now. situation after the previous closedown many Americans. Other Republicans contend But it is also time for the White House to of 6 days, all in order to try to bring a that short-term problems from the shutdown help resolve the budget impasse by sketching are far less important than the long-term more details of the President’s own thinking coercive pressure, a scorched earth bar- crisis an unbalanced budget will create. on how to achieve a balanced budget in seven gaining tactic, with respect to the larg- Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich said that years, as House Republicans demand. Mr. er issue of the 7-year budget projection. his department has received more than 63,000 Clinton’s skill in gaining political advantage Now, that issue involves many dif- phone calls regarding working and wage from the current situation has been impres- ficult and complex questions and a complaints that it has not been able to an- sive. But his tactics leave even his allies strong difference over what the prior- swer in the past three weeks. confused on how much he really does want a ities should be. But in my judgment, it Federal courts have remained open compromise balanced budget, as opposed to is an irresponsible and impermissible throughout the shutdown by running on fil- an impasse on which he can run for re-elec- tactic to use the closing of the Govern- ing fees and other miscellaneous funds. But tion while defending longstanding Demo- court officials are now predicting that they cratic principles. ment, which has never been done be- will exhaust those emergency funds by Sun- By all accounts, the long hours of nego- fore, to use the closing of the Govern- day. David A. Sellers, spokesman for the fed- tiating over the holiday weekend involved a ment as a coercive pressure in to eral courts’ administrative office, said at lot of Mr. Clinton and Mr. Gingrich discuss- achieve a certain result with respect to that point it would be up to individual ing the arcana of Federal social policies the larger budget issues. courts around the country to decide whether while many other people in the room rolled January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 43 their eyes. There is no sign yet of real horse- My office, as others have stated here ones if they do not come back, I will trading except a leak here and there. For in- this morning, is being overrun with do. stance, the White House might be willing to calls and letters about how this shut- Looking now at the VA, ‘‘VA Runs on modify its opposition to a cut in the capital down is affecting families in Kentucky, Promises.’’ ‘‘Nursing home workers gains tax. The Republicans seem willing to scale back their $240 billion tax cut. But the far outside the beltway, far away from tend patients without pay. They are House freshmen and their allies insist that the political arena. A mother in Lex- stripping the sheets off, the laundry, they simply do not trust Mr. Clinton to bring ington, KY, wrote me, ‘‘Most of us live trying to take care of our veterans, for the process to a conclusion until they get a from paycheck to paycheck. We cannot no pay.’’ clearer signal of where he would be willing to survive without being paid. I am a sin- So we say to our veterans, the only make concessions, particularly on Medicare, gle parent struggling to pay rent, a car reason you are being taken care of is Medicaid and welfare. payment, and keep food in the house, because they are willing to come as The freshmen militants, Mr. Gingrich and even the Democratic leadership have the lux- so I haven’t been able to save part of long as they can. These people cannot ury of being dealt into a game whose out- my salary. If I’m not paid on January get another job. They are prohibited come means less to them than to Mr. Clinton 16, I will be evicted.’’ This is a woman from getting another job to have some and Mr. Dole. With their eyes on the Presi- that was on welfare, that was able to income, maybe, to offset the loss of dential race, each man is trying to calculate get a job and get off of welfare, and their paycheck. whether he has more to gain from accommo- now the Government is forcing her Let me also tell you about ‘‘Helen’s dation or recalcitrance. Mr. Dole has prom- back into welfare. She asks in her let- Hotline’’ from the VA hospital in Lex- ised to bring adult leadership to the White House, but he does not look very adult if he ter, ‘‘Isn’t this the United States of ington. What are they doing? Food— cannot stand up to his party’s kiddie-corps America? Isn’t our Government sup- God’s Pantry, in Lexington, distributes zealots. Mr. Clinton needs to emerge as a posed to be by the people and for the food to the homeless and those who President who can stay resolute in the face people?’’ ‘‘Federal employees,’’ she need food. They will provide up to 3 of opposition; but at a certain point the says, ‘‘are also people.’’ weeks of food to those people. They are Chief Executive of a Government that can- She is speaking from her heart about even giving them transportation to not open for business will begin to look real people, about the thousands who God’s Pantry in order to pick up some weak. Mr. Dole is right when he observes that cannot get mortgage insurance, thou- food. Food and social and spiritual sup- Americans are growing impatient with the sands who are losing home loans, thou- port are being offered by the VA hos- budget impasse. Right now, Mr. Clinton may sands working in service industries, pital there in Lexington, stress relief, have more to gain by holding out on the the rippling effect, facing the daily and the canteen service will accept— budget while insisting he wants to reopen threat of being laid off. Homeowners in think about this, now—accept the Government. But there is clearly a deal eastern Kentucky threatened with postdated checks from the cafeteria or within reach, and the public will remember landslides because the Office of Surface retail store through January 17. who walks out of the wreckage with it. Mining is operating on reduced staff Creditors’ letters have been sent f and reduced funding. Real people, Mr. from the Director of the VA to the util- EXTENSION OF TIME FOR President. ities, the mortgage companies, the MORNING BUSINESS Another person wrote, ‘‘I’m excepted lenders, the bankers, asking for leni- Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unan- from furlough which means I’m work- ency because they do not have their imous consent that the time for morn- ing now with no pay. The check I re- check. ing business be extended until the hour ceived yesterday was one-quarter of my I think the lowest blow of all is they of 12:30, and Senators be allowed to salary. My mortgage is due. This one- have set up a food bank at the VA hos- have 10 minutes to speak. quarter does not cover the mortgage. pital for their employees, and they are Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, the ma- What is worse is that I have two small being asked to bring food, those who jority leader has indicated to the Sen- children. I must continue to pay my can afford it, to bring nonperishable ator from Virginia that that is quite baby sitter to keep them after school food to the VA hospital to help their agreeable. while I go to work for no pay.’’ employees. They have asked the citi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without I received a call from a grandmother. zens of Lexington to help with the food objection, it is so ordered. I do not know how many in here have bank and financial contributions, mon- f ever been involved in trying to help a etary donations. They are trying to couple adopt a child. When I was Gov- van pool and help the employees be- THE SHUTDOWN ernor of Kentucky we worked with cause they have lost their cars because Mr. FORD. Mr. President, all my life agencies. It is an emotional period. It they could not make the payments. I have heard the saying, ‘‘Can’t see the is a real decision to adopt a child. So I These people do not wait on payments: forest for the trees.’’ I think those got a call from this grandmother. She ‘‘Oh, go ahead, that’s all right, you words can be appropriately applied to was worried about her granddaughter. don’t have to pay me until you get the situation we now find ourselves in. The adoption of a baby has been halted paid.’’ That does not work. For too many Federal workers, for too because the agencies do not have ‘‘Things to do.’’ The utilities compa- many thousands of honest, hard-work- enough money to process the necessary nies? Ask them to be lenient. Mortgage ing Americans trying to make a decent paperwork. That is hurt, Mr. President. company? Ask them to be lenient. How living, this budget impasse and shut- That is not inconvenience, that is hurt. lenient will these people be? down has demonstrated to them that You have hurt that family that made ‘‘What is this,’’ one asked me. ‘‘Is some of their elected representatives up their mind to adopt a child. That is this really America? Is this what cannot see the forest for the trees. hurt, capital H-u-r-t. She is looking to America is all about? Is this how the While some are wrapped up in trying her representatives for help and an- world’s greatest superpower functions?″ to score political points, to gain politi- swers. What do we do to help her? How These people want a resolution to the cal favor in certain circles, they are do you tell someone that is out there crisis. They want to reopen Govern- missing the point of what is really working hard, paying their taxes, that ment just like the distinguished major- going on outside the beltway. How dis- because of circumstances completely ity leader, Senate Republicans, and appointing it is to pick up the morn- out of their control they cannot go for- Senate Democrats want. As one said, it ing’s Washington Post with the head- ward with adopting a child? is time to stop the nonsense going on lines, ‘‘Employees Find They Are an Mr. President, the hardest thing I here in Washington. They agree with Afterthought.’’ How sad it is to know have had to do in my 21 years in the our majority leader when he says, that people who need food, who need U.S. Senate is to say to men and ‘‘Enough is enough.’’ medicine and basic care will be de- women in the military to go defend our Let us reopen Government. Let us prived of services. How sad it is, Mr. country on some foreign shore, to lay stop this insanity and get on with the President, to hear some demagog the their lives on the line. One thing I have shaping of a fair and equitable budget situation by saying that nobody is told them, and one thing that helps, agreement. missing those Government workers and that whatever I can do to support them Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- we need to get rid of more of them. when they come back, or their loved sent to have printed in the RECORD the S 44 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 full text of two letters I referred to in baby sitter to keep them after school while The President is the one who shut my statement earlier. I go to work with no pay. down the parks. The President is the There being no objection, the letters The end result is that we do not have one who did not make it possible for were ordered to be printed in the money for anything except utilities. My chil- dren wanted to know this morning why they the parks to be opened. If he had signed RECORD, as follows: had left over Christmas turkey and dressing the bill, those people would have been JANUARY 3, 1996. in their lunch boxes instead of their usual paid. They would not have been fur- DEAR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE: I’m writ- chips and sandwiches. It is because these, the loughed. The parks would be open. The ing to speak out for furloughed federal em- chips and sandwich are now ‘‘non-essential’’ Smithsonian would be open. Those peo- ployees and working federal employees who items in our household and because you all ple would have had coverage. There are not being paid. I happen to be one of can not see fit to work the budget out—they would be no disruption. those directed to work without pay. Since I must suffer. If you have a better explanation I just make that point. It is interest- came to work for the federal government in that I can give a 5 yr. old and 8 year old— ing that everything is Congress’ fault. 1977 federal employees have taken the brunt please let me know. This is beginning to of budget cuts and have been reviled by HURT! My children do not understand and The President vetoed the Interior bill. Presidents and Congress. Our salaries have neither do I. Please work this out—Soon!! I think that is unfortunate. fallen far behind the private sector. It is pro- Before I have to explain to them why we I used to manage that bill. Now Sen- posed that our pensions be further cut and have no heat— ator GORTON is managing that bill, and even those of us who had careers covered Sincerely, I think he has done a very good job. I under Social Security before coming to the ——— ———. looked at the veto message dealing government have had our future Social Secu- Mr. FORD. Mr. President, we hear a with Interior. There are different rea- rity benefits cut in half. However, this budg- lot about ‘‘all the President has to do sons why the President vetoed the bill. et battle is the final outrage against federal is sign the bills.’’ If you put things in These are very poor excuses for vetoing employees. What private company could order their employees to work, but not pay the bills that are not acceptable, then a bill. I have urged others, and I hope them? Ironically, the federal government you ought not to expect it to be signed. maybe, I will tell my friends and col- would be on their doorstep immediately. I That is trying to put the President in leagues, maybe within a very short pe- can’t even file for unemployment benefits a position where he cannot sign it. All riod of time we will have another Inte- since I have been directed to work, and am we have to do is pass a clean CR and rior bill on the floor. I hope that is the doing so without pay. put Government back to work. case. I hope it happens today. Most of us live from paycheck to paycheck. The Senate has done that. The Demo- Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, if the We cannot survive without being paid. I am crats in the House are ready. There is Senator will yield, the House of Rep- a single parent, struggling to pay rent, a car payment and keep food in the house so I only one group, one element that is resentatives is going to take up a veto haven’t been able to save part of my salary. saying to my people down there: ‘‘We override today on that. I was over If I am not paid on January 16, 1996, I will do not care whether you pay the mort- there earlier this morning. be evicted. My landlord isn’t interested in gage, whether you pay your utilities, Mr. NICKLES. I appreciate that. The the reason he doesn’t receive his rent. He whether you buy food’’—things of that veto override may not happen. I hope it just demands it be paid on the 1st day of nature. We think we ought to get with does. That is one way we could get the each month. I will also lose my car if this those people and say to them, let us employees back to work immediately. continues and my credit will be ruined. It get on with the running of the Govern- If that does not happen, I hope we may be already. will take the original Interior bill as it We were given a letter to send to our credi- ment. We can balance the budget. tors asking for forbearance. Do you really Mr. President, I yield the floor. passed through both Houses and maybe believe that the banks, insurance companies The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. make some changes. I am looking at and Corporate America care why our bills GREGG). The Senator from Oklahoma. the President’s veto message on Inte- are not being paid. NO—THEY DO NOT! f rior. Most of these changes could be Isn’t this the United States of America? made with very little dollars involved Isn’t our government supposed to be by the ACCOMMODATIONS ON THE and maybe some better understanding. people and for the people? Federal employees APPROPRIATIONS BILLS We had the Presiding Officer, a mo- are also people. We pay taxes. We vote. We Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, it is ment ago, who is from Alaska—part of are part of the people referred to in the Bill with interest I listened to some of our it was dealing with Tongass. There is a of Rights and the Constitution. I would have colleagues talk about the Government never believed this could happen in this misunderstanding on what would hap- country. We are being deprived of our basic shutting down, and I also note yester- pen in the Tongass. Some people were human rights because we happen to be fed- day, when the President had a press saying the Interior bill as passed would eral employees. My mind almost refuses to conference, he said the congressional open up a lot of additional clear cut- accept that this is happening to me, but the Republicans shut down the Govern- ting. I do not think that is the case. We realities of unpaid bills and basic needs not ment. At least he said Congress shut can clarify that, and we should clarify being met jerk me back into the real world down Government. He mentioned sev- it. that I must live in—unknown to you! eral examples. I am looking through some of the I have related my personal situation to Several of the examples that have other things that were mentioned. I you but please remember that it is also rep- been mentioned, both on the floor and resentative of the situation of about 700,000 ask unanimous consent to have the citizens of this country who have given daily by the President and by other people, President’s veto message printed in the of themselves to serve this country. some of the horror stories of individ- RECORD. I am frustrated, fearful, resentful and very uals who have lost their jobs, who are The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without angry over the situation I have been placed not being paid, are in agencies for objection, it is so ordered. in by you. Regardless of your political alle- which the President vetoed the appro- (See exhibit 1.) giance or your personal position on the na- priation bill. One agency that has re- Mr. NICKLES. But these are minus- tional budget issues, you have severely and ceived as much attention as any other cule problems. This is no reason to wrongfully damaged my life forever. The shut down the Interior Department, harm done to this point is irreversible and is Interior, the appropriation bill that the damage irreparable. Please wake up and is covered by Interior, dealing with na- national parks, Forest Service and so stop this nightmare. tional parks and the museums. on, and everything else that is covered Sincerely, The Washington Post has run some by this bill, Indian Health Services— ——— ———. front-page articles talking about the you name it. museums not being open, the Smithso- So, let us try to accommodate. Let JANUARY 3, 1996. nian shut down, national parks being us make a couple of concessions. Let us DEAR CONGRESSMAN, I am an employee of shut down, not having access for indi- work to resolve some of the problems Social Security. As you may be aware, as a viduals wanting to have their vaca- that are raised in here. It can be done field office employee, I am excepted from tions and go to the parks, not being with very few dollars and open up the furlough which means I am working now Interior Department, open up the na- with no pay. The check I received yesterday able to get in because the Government tional parks, open up the Smithsonian, was for 1⁄2 salary (through 12/15/95). My mort- shut it down and, as the President said, gage is due and this 1⁄2 does not cover the Congress shut it down. open up the national museums. There mortgage. What is worse is that I have 2 I just happen to be aware of the fact is no reason not to. The President small children. I must continue to pay a the President vetoed the Interior bill. should not have vetoed the bill in the January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 45 first place, but the President is respon- the end of September. We have not that I think that his suggestion that sible for those parks being closed. passed it. we ought to look at the basis of the Yesterday, or the day before, there Unfortunately, there has been a fili- veto message and see what accom- was an article in the Post talking buster on even a motion to proceed to modations can be made between the about somebody having a concession that bill. I have been around here a two branches in terms of passing an- service adjacent to a park and now long time. I cannot remember an ap- other bill, my understanding is the they had to let their employees go. propriations bill where Members fili- other side simply wants to send the Those employees, incidentally, will not bustered the motion to proceed. We same bill back which I would not re- be covered by the bill once it passes. usually have fought out our dif- gard as a constructive action. They will not be paid. They are not ferences—win, lose, or draw—on all ap- I assume from the Senator’s com- Federal employees; they are contrac- propriations bills. Somebody said it ments that he would not regard it as a tors. And if they are not contracting has riders on it. All appropriations positive or constructive action in the with the Federal Government, if they have riders on how are we going to circumstance either. just happen to be doing business adja- spend money. This bill is no different Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, to re- cent to the Federal Government oper- than any other bill. It had some riders. spond to my colleague, I really see no ation, they are out of luck. It says the administration will not reason that the President vetoed the Again, I fault President Clinton in spend money on a variety of different Interior bill and put people out of this case. I think he made a mistake in things. That is part of Congress’ legis- work. My point is that for the Presi- vetoing the bill. But for him to say lative responsibility. But we have not dent to say, ‘‘Well, this is Congress’ Congress is the reason why those agen- even been able to vote on the Labor- fault these people are not working,’’ I cies are shut down is not the case, and HHS bill. That is unfortunate. just disagree. I think he bears direct that is not the case in Interior. I hear today and read in the paper responsibility in vetoing the Interior It is not the case in other agencies as about scare tactics—that it is terrible; bill which is impacting the lives of well. A lot of us are very concerned we are not able to take care of the Bu- 133,000 employees, and also for his ac- about the Veterans’ Department being reau of Labor Statistics or Meals on tions in vetoing Commerce, State, Jus- closed. I agree with my colleagues from Wheels. It is because, unfortunately, tice, as well as VA–HUD. Maryland and other places saying if many Democrats will not allow us to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- you have a physician or if you have a bring that bill up and vote on it. I hope ator’s time has expired. nurse or if you have somebody working maybe we can get that resolved be- Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask in a veterans hospital, that person cause that bill needs to pass. We need unanimous consent for an additional 3 ought to be paid. It does not make a lot to vote. We need to find out where the minutes. of sense not to pay them. votes are. Some people are objecting to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Why are they not being paid? The ap- us even considering the bill. objection, it is so ordered. propriation bill was not signed. We Looking at several of the bills the Mr. NICKLES. In looking at VA– passed the appropriation bill, we fund- President has vetoed, Interior, which I HUD, and if we are not able to break ed the Veterans’ Department, the alluded to before. If you add Interior, this impasse soon, I tell my colleague President vetoed the bill. 76,000 employees are impacted. The from Maryland that it is my hope that Why did he veto the bill? I have a Forest Service is funded at 38,000 under we will take up—maybe we cannot copy of his veto message. I ask unani- that bill. Indian Health is at 15,000, for pass—the HUD bill. Maybe there is a mous consent to have it printed in the a total of 133,800 employees who are im- dispute. But we ought to be able to RECORD at the conclusion of my re- pacted because the President vetoed pass the veterans bill. My guess is we marks. the Interior bill. That was not Con- could pass that very quickly and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without gress’ veto. It was the President’s veto. maybe some additional things. objection, it is so ordered. Again, I reiterate my statement I worked with the Senator MIKULSKI. (See exhibit 2.) about my offer to work with people. I I was on that Appropriations Commit- Mr. NICKLES. But we should take think we ought to make some tee. I cannot help but think we could care of veterans and people who are changes—minor changes—and pass the fund most areas in that bill. I have a working in veterans hospitals. They Interior bill. copy of that veto message. I think we should be paid. They should not be fur- Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, will should be able to fund people working loughed. And we can solve that prob- the Senator yield on that point? for the Veterans’ Department, and lem. I am hopeful before very long we Mr. NICKLES. I am happy to yield. hopefully we will be able to break that will pass the VA–HUD bill, and let us Mr. SARBANES. I welcome this atti- logjam. We should do it today, or cer- look at the President’s veto message tude that we need to try to work out tainly before the end of this week. and see if some accommodations can the differences. That is how I think In looking at Commerce, State, Jus- and could and should be made in that you legislate. tice, the Justice portion of it I have area. The fact is, though, that when Presi- heard some people allude to the fact, But let no one misunderstand. The dent Reagan and President Bush vetoed well, we are going to have problems President vetoed the bill that funds the appropriations bills, until we worked with prisons; we are going to have Veterans’ Department. It was on his out the differences we passed the con- problems with clerks; and so on. Hope- desk. If he would have signed that bill, tinuing resolutions to allow the Gov- fully we will pass the Justice portion of those individuals would not have been ernment to continue to function. We it. I notice there is a dispute in Com- furloughed. They would not have been then considered seriously the basis merce. Maybe we could leave that one working without pay. So we need to upon which the President had vetoed set aside, or other areas. get past this maybe rhetorical war and the legislation and tried to work out My point is that the President vetoed who is at fault. The President vetoed an accommodation so that an appro- that bill. That bill has impacted 194,000 several of these bills. priations bill could be passed by the employees. We passed that bill. The One of the other things that maybe Congress to which the President could President could have signed the bill concerns me where Congress is largely give his consent. and then said, well, he sends a rescis- at fault is dealing with the agency So the veto by the President of legis- sion, or he could have requested a sup- called Labor, Health and Human Serv- lation because it contains provisions plemental appropriations. That has ices, and Education—actually three dif- with which he disagrees is a standard happened as well. The President did ferent agencies. We have heard some practice. not do that. people talk about how some people are What has happened in the past is ei- I think the President’s pollster was impacted. This Senate has not passed ther we could work that out, or we whispering in his ear saying, ‘‘This is that appropriations bill. It is the only have provided a continuing resolution looking good if you stand up to Con- appropriations bill we have not passed. in the meantime while we tried to gress and veto some bills. We will reen- You might say, ‘‘Why hasn’t it?’’ We work it out. That has not been done in act Harry Truman, and say the heck are supposed to pass that bill before this instance. I do say to the Senator with Congress.’’ Unfortunately, that S 46 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 has put thousands of people into a fur- promote the technology we need for long- THE WHITE HOUSE, December 18, 1995. lough situation, or thousands of people term energy conservation and economic EXHIBIT 2 growth, and provide adequate health, edu- into working without pay. To the House of Representatives The President vetoed those bills. He cational, and other services to Native Ameri- cans. I am returning herewith without my ap- could have signed those bills and then First, the bill makes wrong-headed choices proval H.R. 2099, the ‘‘Departments of Veter- worked out a budget agreement. He with regard to the management and preser- ans Affairs and Housing and Urban Develop- could have signed those bills and then vation of some of our most precious assets. ment, and Independent Agencies Appropria- requested a supplemental appropria- In the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, it tions Act, 1996.’’ tion, if he did not think we were spend- would allow harmful clear-cutting, require H.R. 2099 would threaten public health and ing enough money in some areas. If he the sale of timber at unsustainable levels, the environment, end programs that are helping communities help themselves, close thought we were spending too much and dictate the use of an outdated forest plan for the next 2 fiscal years. the door on college for thousands of young money in other areas, he could have In the Columbia River basin in the Pacific people, and leave veterans seeking medical sent a rescissions package. But instead Northwest, the bill would impede implemen- care with fewer treatment options. he was in a veto mood, and he vetoed tation of our comprehensive plan for manag- The bill includes no funds for the highly these bills having an impact on hun- ing public lands—the Columbia River Basin successful National Service program. If such dreds of thousands of people, all of Ecosystem Management Project. It would do funding were eliminated, the bill would cost which he is trying to give Congress full this by prohibiting publication of a final En- nearly 50,000 young Americans the oppor- credit for. vironmental Impact Statement or Record of tunity to help their community, through Mr. FORD. Mr. President, will the Decision and requiring the exclusion of infor- AmeriCorps, to address vital local needs such mation on fisheries and watersheds. The re- as health care, crime prevention, and edu- Senator yield for a question? sult: a potential return to legal gridlock on cation while earning a monetary award to Mr. NICKLES. No. I am almost out of timber harvesting, grazing, mining, and help them pursue additional education or time. other economically important activities. training. I will not sign any version of this So the President is directly respon- And in the California desert, the bill un- appropriations bill that does not restore sible for putting hundreds of thousands dermines our designation of the Mojave Na- funds for this vital program. of people—I will submit this for the tional Preserve by cutting funding for the This bill includes a 22 percent cut in re- Preserve and shifting responsibility for its RECORD as well—who were impacted be- quested funding for the Environmental Pro- cause he vetoed the bills. That was his management from the National Park Service tection Agency (EPA), including a 25 percent to the Bureau of Land Management. The Mo- right to do so. But for him to come cut in enforcement that would cripple EPA jave is our newest national park and part of efforts to enforce laws against polluters. back and say that was all Congress’ the 1994 California Desert Protection Act— Particularly objectionable are the bill’s 25 fault I think was incorrect. the largest addition to our park system in percent cut in Superfund, which would con- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- the lower 48 States. It deserves our support. tinue to expose hundreds of thousands of sent to have printed in the RECORD this Moreover, the bill would impose a mis- citizens to dangerous chemicals and cuts, chart. guided moratorium on future listings and which would hamper efforts to train workers There being no objection, the mate- critical habitat designations under the En- in hazardous waste cleanup. dangered Species Act. And in the case of one rial was ordered to the printed in the In addition to serve funding cuts for EPA, endangered species, the marbled murrelet, it the bill also includes legislative riders that RECORD, as follows: would eliminate the normal flexibility for were tacked onto the bill without any hear- THE BALL’S IN THE PRESIDENT’S COURT both the Departments of the Interior and Ag- ings or adequate public input, including one The following bills have been vetoed riculture to use new scientific information that would prevent EPA from exercising its by the President. These three vetoes in managing our forests. authority under the Clean Water Act to pre- have adversely affected more than Second, the bill slashes funding for the De- vent wetlands losses. partment of Energy’s energy conservation 620,000 employees, as follows: I am concerned about the bill’s $762 million programs. This is short-sighted and unwise. reduction to my request for funds that would Commerce, Justice, State, Judici- Investment in the technology of energy con- go directly to States and needy cities for ary: servation is important for our Nation’s long- clean water and drinking water needs, such Justice ...... 102,000 term economic strength and environmental Commerce ...... 25,000 as assistance to clean up Boston Harbor. I health. We should be doing all we can to also object to cuts the Congress has made in Judiciary ...... 28,000 maintain and sharpen our competitive edge, State ...... 25,000 environmental technology, the climate not back off. change action plan, and other environmental SBA ...... 5,800 Third, this bill fails to honor our historic programs. USIA ...... 8,000 obligations toward Native Americans. It pro- vides inadequate funding for the Indian The bill would reduce funding for the Total ...... 194,000 Health Service and our Indian Education Council for Environmental Quality by more programs. And the cuts targeted at key pro- than half. Such a reduction would severely Interior: grams in the Bureau of Indian Affairs are hamper the Council’s ability to provide me Interior ...... 76,000 crippling—including programs that support with advice on environmental policy and Indian Health ...... 15,500 child welfare; adult vocational training; law carry out its responsibilities under the Na- Forest ...... 38,000 enforcement and detention services; commu- tional Environmental Policy Act. Energy ...... 2,300 nity fire protection; and general assistance The bill provides no new funding for the Miscellaneous ...... 2,000 to low-income Indian individuals and fami- Community Development Financial Institu- lies. tions program, an important initiative for Total ...... 133,800 Moreover, the bill would unfairly single bringing credit and growth to communities our certain self-governance tribes in Wash- long left behind. VA–HUD: ington State for punitive treatment. Specifi- While the bill provides spending authority NASA ...... 20,000 cally, it would penalize these tribes finan- for several important initiatives of the De- National Science Foundation ... 2,000 cially for using legal remedies in disputes partment of Housing and Urban Development Veterans ...... 240,000 with non-tribal owners of land within res- (HUD), including Community Development HUD ...... 11,000 ervations. Block Grants, homeless assistance and the EPA/miscellaneous ...... 20,000 Finally, the bill represents a dramatic de- sale of HUD-owned properties, it lacks fund- parture from our commitment to support for ing for others. For example, the bill provides Total ...... 293,000 the arts and the humanities. It cuts funding no funds to support economic development of the National Endowments for the Arts and initiatives; it has insufficient funds for in- Overall total ...... 620,900 Humanities so deeply as to jeopardize their cremental rental vouchers; and it cuts near- capacity to keep providing the cultural, edu- ly in half my request for tearing down the Source: House Appropriations Committee. cational, and artistic programs that enrich most severely distressed housing projects. EXHIBIT 1 America’s communities large and small. Also, the bill contains harmful riders that To the House of Representatives: For these reasons and others my Adminis- would transfer HUD’s Fair Housing activities I am returning herewith without my ap- tration has conveyed to the Congress in ear- to the Justice Department and eliminate proval H.R. 1977, the ‘‘Department of the In- lier communications, I cannot accept this Federal preferences in the section 8, tenant- terior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. It does not reflect my priorities or the based program. Act, 1996.’’ values of the American people. I urge the The bill provides less than I requested for This bill is unacceptable because it would Congress to send me a bill that truly serves the medical care of this Nation’s veterans. It unduly restrict our ability to protect Ameri- the interests of our Nation and our citizens. includes significant restrictions on funding ca’s natural resources and cultural heritage, William J. Clinton. for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 47 appear designed to impede him from carry- House are going to follow the leader- brackets, it would raise income taxes ing out his duties as an advocate for veter- ship that has been provided in the Sen- for most taxpayers—and reduce the ans. Further, the bill does not provide nec- ate by Republicans and permit the op- earned income tax credit. essary funding for VA hospital construction. portunity for the services to be contin- According to the Congressional Budg- For these reasons and others my Adminis- et Office, a 1-percent decrease in the tration has conveyed to the Congress in ear- ued which are in so many instances es- lier communications, I cannot accept this sential for the well-being of our fellow change in the CPI would reduce Gov- bill. This bill does not reflect the values that citizens. And, I am hopeful that what- ernment spending and increase Govern- Americans hold dear. I urge the Congress to ever differences exist can be worked ment revenues over the next 7 years, send me an appropriations bill for these im- out as has been part of the proud tradi- for a total deficit reduction of $281 bil- portant priorities that truly serves the tion of this country. lion. Some may see this large sum as a American people. Mr. President, I wish to address an magic bullet to balance the budget and WILLIAM J. CLINTON. issue which is related to these negotia- avoid other painful choices. But it is a THE WHITE HOUSE, December 18, 1995. tions which are taking place between bullet aimed at millions of Americans Mr. KENNEDY addressed the Chair. the leadership, Republican and Demo- who need help the most, and who don’t The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- crat, and the President. It is one aspect deserve this added pain. It makes no ator from Massachusetts. of these negotiations which I think sense to fight hard to save Medicare— f bears close attention by our colleagues and then attack Social Security. here in the Congress and the Senate Legislating an arbitrary reduction in THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN the CPI would clearly break the com- CRISIS but most of all by our senior citizens and by working families in this coun- pact of Social Security. That compact Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, first try, because it is a matter that will says, ‘‘work hard, play by the rules, of all I want to identify with what I have a very significant and important contribute to the system, and, in re- think has been a very compelling case adverse impact on them if it is in- turn, you will be guaranteed retire- made by a variety of my colleagues cluded in the budget proposal. ment security when you are old.’’ An here on the floor of the Senate, by the Like others, I have stated that we essential part of that compact is a fair Senator from New Mexico, the Senator are for the balanced budget, but we do Social Security COLA, so that senior from Maryland, and the Senator from believe it has to meet the basic criteria citizens can be sure that their hard- Kentucky, in describing in very human of being fair and just to the American earned Social Security benefits will terms what is happening with real fam- people. That means if there is going to not be eaten away by inflation. Overall, more than three-fourths of ilies impacted by the Government be belt-tightening, it ought to be the lower spending under the change shutdown. And that same situation is across the board and not be particu- would come from cuts in Social Secu- happening in spades in my own State of larly burdensome to the neediest and rity alone. Nearly all the rest would Massachusetts. There are heartrending most vulnerable, the children, disabled, stories of families that in so many cir- come from other Federal retirement the neediest families in our society. programs. It is the elderly who will pay cumstances really are being dev- That means we ought to make sure astated. The adverse impact on chil- heavily if Congress adopts this change. whatever the final outcome is going to Over the next 10 years, a 1-percent dren continues. And it is very real. The be, it will be fair and just for all Amer- prospects are of serious consequence, cut in the COLA would reduce the real icans. It is on that issue that I address value of the median income bene- indeed. And that is a very important the Senate for these few remaining mo- issue for the American people to dwell ficiary’s Social Security checks by ments this morning. $5,300. By the 10th year, the real pur- on, to be concerned about and also to f bring their best judgment on the levels chasing value of that check would be 9 of power to try to remedy it. LEGISLATING A CHANGE IN THE percent lower—making it even harder The Government shutdown was rem- CPI than it is today for senior citizens to edied here in the U.S. Senate by the ac- stretch their limited incomes to pay Mr. KENNEDY. As the President and the bills for housing, food, medical tions that were taken by Senator DOLE, the congressional leaders discuss ways and I think all of us want to take note care, and other necessities. to achieve a balanced budget, one idea Reducing the Social Security COLA of his leadership and understanding— should be rejected out of hand—legis- is a direct attack on the retirement that this charade of closing down the lating a change in the Consumer Price benefits that senior citizens have Government is nothing but a charade. Index. earned. If Congress is to respect family If our good friends, our Republican That kind of arbitrary action by Con- values, it has to value families, espe- friends, the majority in the House and gress would break faith with the elder- cially the millions of elderly families Senate, had met their responsibilities, ly and make a mockery of the commit- all across America. these various appropriations bills ment of both parties not to cut Social Changing the CPI also affects the def- would have been passed as has been Security. icit by increasing taxes, because in- done in other years. If they had been It would raise taxes on low-income come tax brackets and the earned in- vetoed, these matters would have been working families qualifying for the come tax credit are indexed to infla- worked out in the same way they have earned income tax credit—and other tion. If tax brackets are not adjusted been historically—as has been de- working families as well. for inflation, taxes go up and the scribed by the Senator from Maryland. It would lead to lower wage increases earned income tax credit goes down. It is not a shutdown because even our for millions of workers throughout the Failing to adjust tax brackets hits Republican friends say they are going country at a time when one of the most middle income families the hardest. to pay all of these individuals eventu- serious challenges our society faces is For the wealthy, the change in the CPI ally. So it is really not a shutdown. the decline in the living standard for would have a minimal impact. A fam- The taxpayers are going to pay these all but the wealthiest families. ily earning $100,000 would see its taxes people. Such a change would be harshly re- rise by one-third of 1 percent of its in- Maybe they get some satisfaction, gressive in its impact. It would be un- come. But for families at lower income the Senator from Oklahoma and oth- precedented political meddling in what levels, the differences are far more sig- ers, from the fact that the Americans has always been an impartial, factual nificant. A family earning $36,000 would are not going to be working now. They determination of the CPI. face a tax increase that, as a percent of are not going to work, and, yet, our Re- Reducing the CPI would reduce cost income, would be more than four times publican friends say eventually they of living adjustments for millions of as large. The hardest hit of all would are going to be paid. And in the mean- Americans receiving Social Security be low-income working families who time, we have these human conditions benefits, military pensions, veterans’ depend on the earned income tax cred- and human tragedies that are taking pensions, and civil service retirement. it. Twelve percent of the total tax in- place. The American people understand It would reduce the amount of Supple- crease—$13 billion—would be paid by it. I think all of us are very hopeful mental security income payments to these low-income hard-working fami- that our Republican friends in the the needy. Because of indexing of tax lies. S 48 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 The impact of cutting the CPI tification for its conclusions, and hour ago to the CDC, the Centers for reaches well beyond the Federal budg- therefore provides no basis for Con- Disease Control, and to the facilities et. It is also a direct attack on the gress to change tax policies or entitle- here in Maryland—as to what the im- wages of working families. Many work- ment programs such as Social Secu- pact is of this shutdown on those very ers have CPI adjustments in their col- rity. important, ongoing health advisory lective bargaining contracts. But every In fact, for the elderly, the group services to all of our citizens, and I pay increase is affected by the CPI. If most affected by any change, the most shall later in the day perhaps be able the CPI is reduced by Congress, wages authoritative study by the Bureau of to advise the Senate. I heard that the will be lower too for virtually all work- Labor Statistics suggests that the CPI CDC is not able to monitor the flu epi- ers across the country. may understate rather than overstate demic that is now in the United States. There is no greater source of dis- the true increase in the cost of living, So, Mr. President, I would hope that satisfaction in American families than because of the rapid increase in medi- at some point, if the Senator from Mas- the continuing erosion of their living cal costs for the elderly. sachusetts desires to return to the standards. Except for the wealthy, the To legislate an arbitrary change in floor, that he might address this im- story of the past two decades has been the CPI would be unprecedented. In the portant issue. I yield the floor. ‘‘work harder and earn less.’’ Cutting entire history of the CPI, the Congress The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the CPI will make a bad situation even has never tried to impose a politically ator from Mississippi. worse, by putting even greater down- driven adjustment, and there is no ex- Mr. KENNEDY. Could I have a ward pressure on the wages of every cuse for imposing one now. Senior citi- minute to respond to the Senator from American. zens and working families across the Virginia? Lowering the CPI has been presented country depend on a fair CPI, and Con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the as merely an overdue technical correc- gress should keep it that way. Senator from Mississippi yield? tion that should be supported as a mat- Mr. WARNER addressed the Chair. Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if I could ter of good government. This claim The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- get clarification, I would be glad to cannot pass the truth in advertising ator from Virginia. withhold so long as the Senator does test. Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, my un- not use a minute of my own time. The technical argument for lowering derstanding is that at this point in Could we agree he have a minute, and the CPI has been made by the Boskin time, the Senators desiring to be recog- then I have the time allocated to me? Commission, which was appointed by nized would request unanimous consent The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is the Senate Finance Committee to ex- to speak for a stipulated period? no time assignment to the Senator amine the issue. The Commission is- The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is from Mississippi. sued an interim report last September, correct. Mr. LOTT. I withhold until the Sen- which identifies several biases in the Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask ator responds. calculation. The Commission asserted unanimous consent that I may speak Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is that the CPI has overstated inflation for 3 minutes and then that the Senate so interesting to listen to my good by 1.5 percent a year. For the future, turn and recognize the distinguished friend and colleague cry crocodile tears the Commission predicted that the CPI junior Senator from Mississippi, the for the Centers for Disease Control be- would be 1 percent a year too high. majority whip. cause in the very appropriations bill The major problem with the Commis- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the Senator has talked about he would sion’s analysis is that the sources of objection, it is so ordered. cut the Centers for Disease Control by bias it identifies are also identified by f a third and diminish its effectiveness the nonpolitical professional econo- to deal with these communicable dis- THE CPI AND BLOCKING THE mists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics eases. LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN in the Department of Labor. They have That is an issue we ought to be de- SERVICES, AND EDUCATION BILL the responsibility for setting the CPI bating out here. The Senator knows we each year. They do so fairly and impar- Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I just could pass that bill if it had not come tially. They make periodic corrections wish to say to my colleague from Mas- with the unwarranted and unjustified to take account of any biases—up or sachusetts, I listened very carefully. positions that have been assumed by down—that affect the index. The Bu- This question of the CPI is open for de- the majority in undermining a wom- reau already plans to reduce the CPI by bate. Thus far, consideration has been an’s right to choose and including about two-tenths of 1 percent in 1997. given in a bipartisan manner by Mem- striker replacement. Drop those, and it This reduction is already assumed in bers on both sides of this aisle, and as passes by a voice vote this afternoon, I the budget projections for the next 7 yet there has been no resolution. I say to the Senator. years. think, indeed, there is some consider- I thank the Chair. The issue is not whether there should ation at the level of the President and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- be changes in the CPI, but who should his senior advisers on this issue. ator from Mississippi. make them and how large they should But, Mr. President, what disturbs me f be. The Boskin Commission’s work is a so much is that the Senator from Mas- poor basis for changing the CPI. As the sachusetts sought to come here this MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE Commission itself acknowledged, it did morning and talk about that issue, yet GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN little original research. The Commis- he fails to address one of the most Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I am sion’s membership was stacked with burning issues indeed on both sides of pleased that there have been efforts at economists who believed that the CPI the aisle here in the U.S. Senate, and the White House, meetings between the was overstated. According to Dean that is the inability of the majority President, the Vice President, and the Baker, an economist at the Economic leader, the inability of the chairman of leaders of Congress to try to find a so- Policy Institute, ‘‘All five members the Appropriations Committee, to lution to our budget problems. I know had previously testified that they be- bring up the Labor and Human Re- that sometimes they feel like they are lieved the CPI was overstated. Econo- sources appropriations bill. It is trying to grasp for the wind. It is very mists who gave contrary testimony stopped, blocked, such that this body difficult to find a solution, but it is a * * * were excluded.’’ cannot—cannot—act upon that very very, very important effort. I wish According to Joel Popkin, another important piece of legislation. The dis- them continued encouragement in expert on the CPI, the Commission tinguished Senator from Massachusetts their efforts to find an agreement to comprised five of the six witnesses be- is the ranking member of that commit- the budget. I have been very much con- fore the full Finance Committee who tee, and as such he is in a position to cerned that it does not seem like they gave the highest estimates of bias. As see that this piece of legislation could are making that much progress. Mr. Popkin also pointed out, the in- be brought forward. The way you get a budget agreement, terim report of the Commission falls This Senator is receiving reports this the way you get any agreement any far short of presenting adequate jus- morning—and I called in as early as an time when you have two opposing January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 49 views is both sides have to give a little will eventually decide, has exceeded his but there are some restrictions on try- and get a little in return. I do not authority with an Executive order on ing to control the excesses of the Legal think that is happening yet. But I hope this subject. But the Democrats in the Services Corporation. But he is ready they will continue. I hope that some- Senate will not even allow that bill to to shut down all three of these big De- thing will happen, if they do not meet be brought up for consideration. Yet, partments and the agencies that are today, tomorrow, that dramatic they complain about how people are also affected by it because he cannot progress will be made, although I know being affected by the fact that we do accept it the way it was written in the it will be very difficult. not have funding in this particular appropriations bill we sent him. Yesterday afternoon the President area. He said he ‘‘cannot accept’’ the went on national television right be- Let us do something about it. Let us money Congress wants to spend to keep fore the bipartisan meeting on the get the bill up. Let us go with the the Commerce Department in oper- budget to bemoan the partial shutdown usual process around here, let us have ation and to keep the Justice Depart- of the Federal Government. He recited votes. Some amendments will pass, ment in operation and to keep the a list of horror stories about the disas- some will not. Let us send it to the State Department in operation unless trous effects of that shutdown. President and let him do what he will. we agree to pay for abortions for prison He said, ‘‘We ought to reopen the So we need to keep in mind exactly inmates. Government.’’ I agree. He said, ‘‘The why some of these horror stories are Did you hear me? One of the 10 is- shutdown has been especially devastat- happening. It is because the Democrats sues, I believe it was 10, that he listed ing to hundreds of thousands of dedi- in the Senate will not even allow this why he vetoed that bill—actually it cated public servants who work for the appropriations bill to be brought up. was 9 major issues—was because it had American people through the Federal So, you know, I am concerned about limits on abortions being paid for pris- Government.’’ I agree with that. He the Meals on Wheels Program, over oners. The American people would not said, ‘‘It’s time to stop holding Federal Medicare contractors, over jobs that believe that. That was one of the main workers hostage in this process.’’ I might be affected by this. The solution issues that he listed as to why he would agree with that too. is to take this Labor-HHS-Education veto that bill. But that is the limit of my agree- appropriations bill up. He said he cannot accept congres- ment with President Clinton. There is The responsibility is at least a shared sional funding for these three very im- an awful lot of misunderstanding or one. The President had the temerity portant Departments as long as there misinformation that is being per- yesterday, for instance, to complain is a moratorium—not a ban, mind you, petrated on the American people about that the Environmental Protection just a moratorium—on future listings how we got into the situation we are in Agency has been crippled by the shut- under the Endangered Species Act by now. down. But who was it that vetoed the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Let us remember that the current appropriations bill that had funding for Administration. shutdown is indeed partial because it the Environmental Protection Agency There is a lot of feeling across Amer- does not effect any departments or in it? President Clinton. ica that the Endangered Species Act agencies whose appropriations bills The President complained about the has gone too far, has been distorted, have been signed into law. I believe shutdown of emergency programs at has gone from what was needed to ri- seven of them have been signed into FEMA. But who vetoed FEMA’s appro- diculous. I voted for the original En- law. priations bill? President Clinton vetoed dangered Species Act, but I had no idea So the question is, why have not the that bill. that it was going to get into a situa- remaining appropriations bills been The President, with a straight face, tion where an entire appropriations bill signed into law? If they had been, we complained about shutdowns at the would be vetoed for the Interior De- would not have the situation we have State Department after he himself ve- partment because of objections relat- now. toed the State Department’s appropria- ing to the marbled murrelet. The Presi- There have been two major problems tions bill. Oh, but he said he had his dent lists as one of the seven major in getting those bills signed into law. reasons for those vetoes, that he did reasons why he vetoed the Department One is the President himself. The sec- not get everything he wanted in some of Interior bill is because he did not ond is the Democratic minority here in of those bills. like the objections regarding the mar- the Senate. Most of the President’s Well, here is, in his own words, what bled murrelet. tales of woe yesterday would not have he said about why he vetoed some of Do the American people know this? been happening if the Labor, Health these bills. ‘‘I will not sign any version Would they be horrified if they realized and Human Services, and Education of this bill,’’ talking about the State- that one of the major reasons the appropriations bill was signed into law. Justice-Commerce appropriations President vetoed an appropriations bill But we would not even pass it here in bill—and get that, ‘‘any version’’— was because of this bird? I guess it is a the Senate. ‘‘that does not fund the COPS initia- bird. I do not think they would be very There is the problem. It is the Senate tive as a free-standing, discretionary happy with that. that has not acted. It is the minority grant program, as authorized.’’ He had other reasons, as well, for in the Senate that has blocked the Translation: The Congress decided to closing down those three Departments. Labor-HHS, Education appropriations fight crime by giving localities discre- He opposes funding reductions in the bill from even being considered. Keep tion in how they spend Federal aid. Mr. Census Bureau. How many of you think in mind what has happened is that Clinton says it is his way or no way. He the American people are all upset be- there is a threat to filibuster the mo- will shut down three critical Federal cause there maybe is not enough fund- tion to proceed because of some policy Departments unless he gets his COPS ing in 1996 for the Census Bureau? language that is in that Labor-HHS- program the way he wants it. Maybe it does deserve more, but that is Education appropriations bill. We are We have three coequal branches of what all this budget discussion is real- being told by the minority in the Sen- Government. The President cannot ly about, I thought. If there is an ate you cannot even bring it up be- say, ‘‘It’s my way or no way.’’ He has agreement there would be some more cause of some of the provisions in this to work with the Congress, and he has funding provided for these things, then bill. to be sometime aware of what the the changes would be made. But to Why not? Let us bring it up. Let us courts have said. veto the bill, and one of the major rea- have amendments. Let us debate them. But that is not all. He would keep sons listed for the veto of the Com- Let us vote. Oh, no. The minority in those Departments shut down and their merce, State, Justice Department bill the Senate, the Democrats in the Sen- work force out on the street unless the was because he opposes cuts in the Cen- ate, have blocked even the consider- Congress limits restrictions on the con- sus Bureau. I do not think there are a ation of this bill. Why? Because of duct of the Legal Services Corporation lot of American people really worrying striker replacement language that is in and its grantees, otherwise he cannot about that. this bill where the President clearly, in accept the appropriations bill. Funding Mr. SARBANES. Will the Senator my opinion, and I think some courts is provided, services will be provided, yield for a question on that? S 50 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 Mr. LOTT. Let me continue. I am Secretary of the Veterans’ Department working on that, and I think they will about to get to the point where I can from engaging in inappropriate politi- come up with language that will clarify yield. Let me continue on my thought, cal activity. He cited that as one of the that. if I can. reasons why he vetoed it. Mr. SARBANES. I take it from that He is so devoted to the Commerce So it goes on and on, Mr. President. response, if the President had a reason- technology programs that he shut I am afraid we have not done a very ably based concern that the bill would down the entire Department in order to good job in explaining why we did some permit clear cutting, it would be a jus- preserve them. I do not understand the of the things we did in appropriations tified basis on which to veto the bill? thinking. bills, but more importantly, explaining Mr. LOTT. I do not think so. Al- The same holds true with the Inte- why the President vetoed them. though I understand his concern and rior and Energy Departments. The If I held up the list of the seven while I may have some agreement with workers are idled because Mr. Clinton things that he cites as to why he ve- him on it, to veto the entire Depart- has two problems with the Interior ap- toed the Interior appropriations bill— ment of Interior appropriations bill propriations bill. His first problem is plus, of course, more money for every- over that one point would not be suffi- he wants more money. Yes, that is the thing—I do not believe the average cient, in my mind, because you are big part of it all, he wants more money American would agree with what he talking about thousands of people for everything. I was looking over his did. They would not think that a dis- being out of work, you are talking objections on the Interior bill. He agreement over whether some particu- about monuments being closed down, wants more money for DOE energy lar national preserve is controlled by parks being closed down. conservation, more money for Native the Park Service or the Bureau of Land That could have been clarified in American programs, more money for Management is enough reason to veto other ways, through authorization, the National Endowments for the Arts the bill. through other appropriation bills, and and the Humanities. But I think we can find a solution. it would be coming very quickly. That is the crux of all of it. We have We will and we should try to pass these Mr. SARBANES. That is what we did a President for the first time in my appropriations bills again with changes with Presidents Reagan and Bush. memory, and I have been watching that have been suggested, sometimes They would veto the bills, then we them pretty closely now for about 27 by the President and sometimes by would try to accommodate their veto years, who is vetoing appropriations message and work out an understand- bills because they do not spend enough. others. It has not been done before now ing between the executive and legisla- Every other President I have ever partially because there was a thinking tive branches. But if that was not done watched, Democrat and Republican, ve- that there were serious budget negotia- immediately, we would provide a con- toed appropriations bills because Con- tions underway and maybe some con- gress could not control its insatiable clusion would be reached on the enti- tinuing resolution so the Government appetite to spend more of the tax- tlements programs and on returning could function. Mr. LOTT. If the Senator will yield payers’ money. Now we have a Presi- tax dollars to the people who pay the on that, 2 years in a row in the Reagan dent who says, ‘‘I want more money’’ taxes and only appropriated accounts. and, in most cases, we are not talking But since fast progress is not being administration, the Congress did not about cuts in a lot of them, we are made, at least we should go ahead and pass a single appropriations bill that talking about controls on the rate of try to move some of these appropria- was signed into law. Mr. SARBANES. That is right, increases in these programs. tions bills, individually or in a group, His second problem concerns provi- and allow the President to make up his and—— sions regarding certain environmental own mind then whether or not he Mr. LOTT. And the Democratic-con- areas. The Tongass National Forest, wants to veto them again. But if he trolled Congress passed continuing res- the Columbia River Basin, the Mojave does, the record will then be replete olutions that had all 13 appropriations National Preserve. In the case of the with evidence: The problem is not the bills lumped into them—just lumped Mojave National Preserve, as I under- Congress, the problem is the President, them into a pile along with the debt stand it, he is mad because the respon- because we are going to give him an- ceiling and everything, and left town sibility would be shifted from the Park other opportunity to consider these ap- and said to the President, ‘‘Sign it.’’ Service to the Bureau of Land Manage- propriations bills individually or per- Mr. SARBANES. We reached agree- ment. Is that enough reason to veto an haps even in a group. ment with the President, and the Gov- appropriations bill for the Interior De- Hopefully, we can come to an agree- ernment continued to function on the partment? ment. Hopefully, the budget discus- basis of the continuing resolution. And in Tongass, he objects to clear sions will bear real fruit. But it is Now you have an instance in which cutting. As I understand the language going to take a lot more movement by you have just brought the Government in the bill, clear cutting is prohibited the President than I have seen or I to a partial shutdown by not providing in there. He pointed out three tech- have read about in the press so far. a continuing resolution and not work- nical concerns he had, basically tech- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- ing out the differences that were con- nical. I think they can be worked out. sent that the period for morning busi- nected with the veto of the appropria- I hope they will be, and I hope we can ness be extended until the hour of 1:30 tions bills. move this Interior Department appro- p.m., with statements limited to 10 The Senator mentioned the Bureau of priations bill forward. minutes each. the Census, and he sort of dismissed it. The third vetoed appropriations bill The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The United States has done a decennial would have funded the Veterans’ De- objection, it is so ordered. census every year since 1790. That was partment, HUD, and several smaller Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I will be when the first census was done. We agencies. President Clinton killed that glad to yield to the Senator from have done a census every 10 years since funding and let those Departments and Maryland. I thank him for letting me then. Does the Senator think that we agencies close because Congress would complete my statement before he should do a decennial census in the not give him money for his pet asked his question. year 2000? projects, such as the National Service Mr. SARBANES. If the Interior bill Mr. LOTT. Well, I would want to Program. As always, he wanted more of permits clear cutting in the Tongass think about that and make sure I gave the public’s money than Congress National Forest, I take it from the you a fully informed answer. I think wanted to spend: More for EPA; more Senator’s comments he would be op- the answer is probably yes. But we are for the Council on Environmental posed to it; is that correct? not talking about not funding the Cen- Quality; more for something called Mr. LOTT. I think there should be sus Bureau; we are talking about the Community Development Financial In- language in the appropriations bill level of funding for the Census Bureau stitutions Program, and just generally that would be—frankly, I hoped it 4 years from when this decennial cen- more money. would say there should not be clear sus will occur, and also when it in- He even vetoed the bill because Con- cutting. I am not on the Appropria- volved vetoing an entire Department’s gress inserted a provision to stop the tions Committee. I know they are appropriations bill. I do not think that January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 51 because the President did not get all I yield the floor. earlier in 1995 and now we have run for the funds he wanted, that is enough to Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I 19 days and where it is clearly admit- veto the State, Commerce, Justice ap- want to make this observation about ted that this is being used as a coercive propriations bill. the comments of the Senator from Mis- tactic. Mr. SARBANES. I say to the Senator sissippi. Never before has the Congress My distinguished colleagues in the that the President had other reasons as used as a coercive tactic to close down House have been very explicit about well. But since you focused on the Bu- the Government in order to try to gain the fact that they will, as they say, reau of Census, unless the Census Bu- its way for a fundamental change—— create a ‘‘titanic legislative standoff’’ reau gets additional funds now to begin Mr. LOTT. Is it not true that, in 1987, with President Clinton. Others have the work that needs to be done to do I believe, the Democratic-controlled said openly that they intended to bring the decennial census in the year 2000, Congress passed a CR that had every the Government to a halt, to have a they will not be able to do it. appropriations bill, debt ceiling, and a closedown, in order to provoke a con- Mr. LOTT. But you cannot be con- number of other issues, and left town troversy. cerned here about Meals on Wheels, and said to the President, ‘‘Sign it and My very basic point is that this is ir- other Federal programs, and monu- keep the Government operating, or responsible. It has not been done in the ments being closed and, on the other veto it and shut it down.’’? And they past. It represents, I think, an abuse of hand, say, ‘‘I am vetoing the bill be- were gone. Did that happen or not? the constitutional arrangements of cause you do not give me all of the Mr. SARBANES. The President could power, and it ought to cease. funding I want for the Census Bureau have called the Congress back. The I yield the floor. or for the National Endowment pro- Congress gave him a CR so the Govern- f grams.’’ This process could still go for- ment could continue to function. Now THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ward. My point is that the President what is happening is, for the first time vetoed these bills, in my opinion, on ever, the Congress is refusing to pro- Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, we questionable grounds that put all of vide a CR and use that as a coercive have heard, during the course of the these Federal workers out of work. tactic in the bargaining. That is an ir- morning, that this is really just a ques- We passed one continuing resolution, responsible and, in my view, impermis- tion about the various funding and how I remind the Senator from Maryland, sible action. That is what is happening. we will be able to get the resources to and I was involved in the discussions We did not close the Government be able to move toward a balanced and suggested some language that down with respect to the Republican budget. I think it is important that as helped move that continuing resolution Presidents. We let the Government go we see this process hopefully move for- through right before Thanksgiving, on to function. ward, that the American people are with the idea that there would be suffi- Mr. LOTT. The Government has been going to understand the various op- cient time for us to get an agreement closed down before during Democratic tions which we can take that make on our budget before Christmas. It did administrations. This is not new. We that progress. not happen. We still do not have one. have had budget disagreements every I want to address the Senate on the The President signed into law a com- year for the last 15 years. fairness issue in reaching the balanced mitment to have a balanced budget in Mr. SARBANES. The Government budget, because I think all of us know 7 years, using CBO numbers or real has been closed down for 19 days. if it was just a question of figures, any- numbers, which still has not happened. Mr. LOTT. I know it has been done one could reach the balanced budget by So the Congress, frankly, is con- for at least 11 days, as I remember. I do slashing, burning and ending various cerned about sending another CR down not remember the other times, but we kinds of programs. The question is, there that would extend the time with- have had these shutdowns before. how are we going to reach that objec- out knowing what the result is going to Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, re- tive and do it in a way that will be fair, be. By the way, how much time does it claiming my time, I want to answer meeting the standard of fairness to the take? The President has known for that point. There were periods before American people. I think it will only be weeks, for months, that we were mov- the Civiletti decision in 1980 in which if the proposal that is agreed on, and ing toward a balanced budget in 7 the Government continued to function hopefully it will be agreed on by the years, yet he did not really get engaged without an appropriations bill because Congress and by the President, will until actually right before Christmas. there was not a ruling that under the meet that standard of fairness, and will But it is time that we get an agree- Antideficiency Act, the Government be acceptable by the American people. ment. If we get an agreement, then all could not go on functioning. So we did That is a fair test. these other problems will fall by the not have an appropriations bill, but the I want to address the Senate for a wayside. Government continued to function. few moments this afternoon on a very What we are trying to do is get a so- Then we had this ruling that you are important aspect of what I think is the lution that controls the rate of growth not allowed to do that. Subsequent to issue of fairness. The original Repub- in the explosive Federal Government that, we had maybe a day, or a week- lican budget plan was properly vetoed spending for the sake of our children’s end, or something, in which there by the President because it failed to future. That is what I worry about. I would be a gap in between having an meet this test of fairness. It inflicted worry about this $185,000-plus a year in appropriation bill, and either getting deep cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, edu- interest on the national debt that an appropriation or getting a continu- cation, the environment, and other im- every child owes when they are born. ing resolution. This is the first time, portant national priorities, and in- How are we going to control this? That clearly, in which an extended period cluded large tax breaks for wealthy in- is what is really at stake. has been allowed to develop as a coer- dividuals and corporations. Mr. SARBANES. Can I ask what the cive tactic in closing down the Govern- Half of all the spending cuts in the time situation is? ment. Republican plan came from the bottom The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. You cannot find a previous in- 20 percent of families in America while THOMAS). The Senator from Mississippi stance—you can find instances before only 9 percent of the cuts came from has 5 minutes remaining. the Civiletti opinion in which depart- the top 20 percent of families in Amer- Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I think I ments continued to function without ica. Two-thirds of the tax breaks in the have made my point for now. I am sure an appropriations bill, but there was Republican plan go to the same top 20 we will have continuing discussions. I then a ruling that said such function- percent of Americans, while the bot- think we can find solutions if men of ing ran counter to the Antideficiency tom 20 percent would face a tax in- good will are willing work together and Act. You can then find instances after crease. The middle 60 percent of Ameri- try to find a way to work out the dis- the Civiletti opinion in which you had cans would also be hit unfairly. They agreements and come to the conclusion a period of a day or two or a weekend would lose an average of $600 each be- and pass these bills. I do not see why it in which that was the case. But we cause of the spending cuts, and get could not be done quickly. I certainly never had an instance, as we have now back only a third of that amount in tax hope it will be. experienced, where we have had 6 days reductions. S 52 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 In order to have a fair balanced budg- which is their latest offer, saying they years, exclusive of defense spending et, every form of spending should be on will not support any kind of budget un- and Social Security. Reducing the $4 the table. By the year 2002, the largest less it has that $245 billion—again, it is trillion in tax subsidies by 17 percent of all entitlement programs will be tax the corporations who have been gradu- would achieve savings of $680 billion. entitlements. It is not going to be the ally paying less and less of their fair If we applied the 17-percent reduction Census Bureau, it is not going to be the share of the load. to only one-quarter of the tax expendi- NEA, it will not be education, it is not We hear a lot about people being in tures, we would save $170 billion—more going to be the environmental cleanup, the wagon and out of the wagon, pay- than enough to provide the additional it is going to be tax entitlements. Be- ing their fair share of the load. What savings needed in the current impasse tween now and the year 2002, the Fed- we have seen, Mr. President, is over the to balance the budget fairly in 7 years. eral Government will spend over $4 period of these years right up until Surely it makes sense to reduce cor- trillion in tax loopholes and tax pref- now, the gradual reduction in the cor- porate subsidies by a similar percent- erences which go disproportionately to porations’ participation because of the age as programs that benefit working wealthy individuals and corporations. whole range of different tax expendi- Americans and the poor are being cut. In 2002, these tax entitlements will rep- tures. As a second approach, a number of resent a larger share of the budget Let me just describe briefly a few of specific corporate loopholes that are than Social Security, Medicare and those. Again, this is occurring because contrary to sensible national policy Medicaid or any of the other entitle- the Tax Code is still rife with loopholes could be eliminated entirely to achieve ment programs. So far, out of the $4 through which this country’s major the needed savings. It would make trillion of tax entitlements, the Repub- corporations jump with ease. The Gen- sense under this approach to focus spe- licans are willing to cut only $16 bil- eral Accounting Office has reported cifically on tax subsidies that have the lion. Out of the $4.3 trillion, they are that in 1991, 73 percent of foreign-based direct or indirect affect of encouraging prepared to cut $16 billion. corporations doing business in the American businesses to move trans- A recent article in the Wall Street United States pay no Federal income actions and jobs overseas. It is particu- Journal cited the increasing disparity taxes. More than 60 percent of U.S.- larly offensive, at a time when large of the tax burden between individuals based companies paid no U.S. income numbers of American workers are los- and corporations. The journal cites taxes. Not only are the foreign corpora- ing their jobs and being dislocated by Treasury Department figures that cor- tions not paying any, what we have de- changes in the economy, that the Tax porate taxes in 1993 accounted for only vised in the Tax Code are provisions Code is subsidizing corporations to 10 percent of the total Federal tax col- which are encouraging these corpora- move transactions and jobs overseas. lections. In 1960, that figure was 23 per- tions to move jobs overseas taking jobs Here are examples of some of the cent. The proportion of taxes paid by away from Americans. We give them most egregious corporate tax expendi- corporate America has decreased by tax benefits if they take the jobs away tures: Runaway plants—$8 billion over 7 more than half at the same time the from hard-working Americans who are years: The Tax Code now encourages corporate profits have soared and already paying their fair share, to U.S. firms to move abroad. A manufac- wages have remained stagnant. move them overseas. We found that turing plant that moves overseas can The Tax Reform Act of 1986, the most when the President in the last Con- defer its taxes on profits until those recent comprehensive reform of our gress closed down one of the principal profits are repatriated to the United Tax Code, was enacted to provide loopholes, no sooner had it been closed States. As a result, much of these prof- greater equity in the tax burden by down than under the Republican pro- its never come back to the United eliminating corporate loopholes. The gram it has opened up again. States. Unlike all other taxpayers, statistics compiled by the Office of Companies still have a significant in- these multinational companies are not Management and Budget suggest this centive to minimize the calculation of required to pay taxes at the time of the has had limited effect. Mr. President, their U.S. income, and therefore their gain. this chart is effectively summarizing U.S. taxation. They shift income away Closing this egregious loophole would what was in the Wall Street Journal from the United States and shift de- eliminate an $8 billion giveaway over 7 article about a week ago about what ductible expenses into the United years. Yet, legislation proposed to ad- has happened with tax fairness, and States. In fact, these corporate tax dress this specific issue was rejected by corporations versus families. Here we loopholes encourage companies to the Senate earlier this year on a party find where the American families, move plants and jobs overseas to low- line vote. working families, individuals, and indi- tax havens. Our Tax Code promotes the As a result, foreign subsidiaries can vidual families have been with respect wage stagnation caused by the exodus accrue big profits abroad, stash the to tax revenues, and where the burden of good manufacturing jobs. money in foreign bank accounts, and has fallen. Surely, if elderly couples depending not pay any U.S. taxes on them. What have we seen over the period of on Medicare and having an average in- In a related matter, the President the last years? Constant reduction in come of less than $17,000 a year would and Congress took action in 1993 to terms of corporate participation. It is be required by the Republican plan to close an additional loophole that pro- now just about a third of what it was pay an additional $2,500 in Medicare vides incentives to companies to move back some 30 years ago. Basically, that premiums to balanced the budget over jobs overseas. The Republicans now has been because of the escalation of the next 7 years, corporations can be want to reopen that loophole, and have the various tax expenditures and tax asked to contribute their fair share. done so in their budget plan. loopholes. What do our Republican If 4 million children would lose their Over the course of the past 15 years, friends want to do in their budget? health care and 5 million senior citi- the United States lost 3 million manu- They want to provide greater kinds of zens and disabled Americans would lose facturing jobs. Fifty percent of these benefits to the corporations and their Medicaid protection to balance jobs have been lost in the last 5 years wealthiest individuals, and increase— the budget, corporations can be asked alone. These jobs were being lost at the increase—the taxes on the working to bear their fair share. Surely, if edu- same time that U.S.-owned subsidiaries families, on the neediest working fami- cation funding would be cut by 30 per- were locating plants in tax haven coun- lies in this country. cent and millions of college students tries across the globe. I wish when we listen to our good Re- would have the cost of their student Closing these loopholes is a win-win publican friends that are talking about loans increased to a point where they for the American worker and the how the President wants to spend a lit- may no longer be able to afford college, American taxpayer. U.S. companies tle more on the Census Bureau and how corporations can be asked to bear their will no longer have the same incentive he wants to do a little more on the en- fair share. to move U.S. jobs overseas and at the vironment, that we would realize that Here are several approaches to make same time we can reduce the Federal their arguments would have a lot more this work. First, the Republican plan deficit. power if they explained why they want would provide a reduction of 17 percent Transfer pricing—$35–$40 billion an- to have $245 billion in tax breaks, in the Federal budget over the next 7 nually: Companies have a significant January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 53 incentive to minimize their U.S.-based conference. Treasury has estimated mum $5 million net worth. All those income, and therefore their U.S. taxes. that if we eliminated it altogether, as without that level of liability can re- Therefore, they shift income away we tried to do in 1986, we would gen- nounce their citizenship without the from the United States and shift tax- erate as much as $16 billion. IRS ever questioning their motives. deductible expenses into the United Let’s look at an example. Company X This loophole allows an individual to States. Plain and simple, it’s cooking is shipping out some products to a for- enjoy all the benefits of the United the books, shifting costs from one part eign country. Under normal cir- States, including its stature as an eco- of the company to another for tax pur- cumstances, that shipment would pay nomic engine for the world, grow rich poses, or transfer pricing. taxes to the United States. But under a because of it, and then expatriate with- IBM, for example, was fortunate special rule, that company passes title out being taxed on the wealth gen- enough to accumulate $25 billion in to the products out on the high seas, erated in this country. This tax break U.S. sales in 1987. That same year, its thereby avoiding all Federal taxes. costs the taxpayers $3.6 billion over 10 1987 annual report stated that one third This is equivalent to a tax exemption years. of its worldwide profits were earned by that disproportionately benefits upper It is not even a slap on the wrist. It its U.S. operations. Clearly, its U.S. op- income individuals. is barely enough to close the loophole erations appeared profitable and suc- Some people will say that we are tak- that permits American billionaires to cessful. Yet, its tax return reported al- ing steps that will hurt exports and the renounce their citizenship and take up most no U.S. earnings. expansion of our markets that can cre- their residency overseas in order to es- A recent study asserts that transfer ate new jobs for the economy. But we cape American taxes. pricing could cost as much as $35 to $40 are only closing an unnecessary loop- Unbelievable. We passed the amend- billion annually. The Multi-State Tax hole that is prevalent because compa- ment here on the floor of the U.S. Sen- Commission has stated that it is at nies are willing to pass title of prop- ate by over 90 votes, saying: When you least a $2 billion a year problem, and erty in the middle of the Atlantic and go to the conference on those budgets, that only includes foreign-based com- Pacific Oceans. pull that Benedict Arnold proposal out panies doing business in the United Foreign sales corporations—$9.4 bil- of that budget. Those doors were not even closed States. And there are far more U.S.- lion over 7 years: An additional tax over there when out it came again, based companies with foreign oper- break is provided to companies through right out again. No wonder the Presi- ations than foreign-based companies paper transactions. It is called the for- dent vetoed that particular budget. with U.S. operations. eign sales corporation loophole, and Who wants to be associated with say- And this is not the result of tax pol- provides exporters with the oppor- ing to a superwealthy American, ‘‘Re- icy that is intended to spur U.S. invest- tunity to exempt a portion of their ex- nounce your citizenship and escape all ment. In contrast, it is revenue lost di- port income from U.S. taxation. the taxes for the moneys you have rectly as a result of multinational A company does not have to increase earned in the United States’’? That companies fixing the books to mini- its export activity, increase its payroll, provision is still in there. mize their U.S. tax liability. or even increase its own production in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time This is not a new problem with which the United States. It only has to set up of the Senator has expired. we are dealing. To the contrary, we a foreign sales corporation on paper. It The Senator from Mississippi. have been trying to close this loophole can then exempt up to 30 percent of its f for almost 20 years. Back in 1978, when export income from taxes. The Joint we debated the United States–United Tax Committee estimates that the clo- WHO SPEAKS FOR THE Kingdom tax treaty, we spent a sub- sure of this loophole would raise $9.4 TAXPAYER? stantial amount of time on this issue. billion in new revenue over the 7-year Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I will be We knew then, as we know now, that it budget period. brief because I have spoken earlier. I was a loophole that necessitated ac- Capital gains tax reduction: Whether see there is another Senator wishing to tion. The only difference now is that it we agree or disagree about its merits, speak. But I would like to respond di- is a much bigger problem, more perva- do any of us really believe that it rectly to some of the comments just sive, and more costly to the Federal should be retroactive to January 1, made with regard to taxes. I will hold Treasury. 1995? it down. We are trying to go back and States have responded to this prob- Is that fair? To give new tax breaks forth. lem by requiring companies to propor- to wealthy individuals retroactively Mr. President, there is a lot of com- tion their costs and profits according while we also cut important programs plaining about tax cuts in the budget to employees, payroll, and other stand- for our working families? negotiations. I ask the question again, ards. We can do the same. Billionaires’ loophole: We still who, here, is going to speak for the And even more troubling is the fact haven’t closed the so-called billion- taxpayers of America? There are a lot that this is not a single loophole that aires’ loophole. On April 6, we voted 96– of Americans out there getting up exists by itself for multinational cor- 4 to close it up tight, and the Senate every morning at 5 o’clock, going to porations. There are others, such as Finance Committee has closed it twice work, pulling their share of the load, tax credits provided to U.S. companies now. But every time it goes to con- paying taxes. They think a little more for tax payments made to foreign coun- ference, it gets opened up. fairness in the Tax Code, a little incen- tries by their subsidiaries, or tax defer- This is a tax loophole that exists for tive to save, a little incentive for rals for U.S. companies on income of billionaires who renounce their Amer- growth in the economy to create jobs is foreign operations that are not repatri- ican citizenship to avoid millions and a good idea. Everybody around here ated to this country. even billions of dollars in taxes on in- seems to be worried about this program Title passage—$16 billion over 7 come, capital gains, gifts, and estates. or that program, this welfare program, years: Another tax loophole for multi- The law would not prevent individ- that program. What about the people national corporations is the so-called uals from shifting both their assets and who are paying the taxes on all these inventory property sales source rule. their citizenship to a foreign country. programs? Why do they not get a little Large multinational exporting cor- Rather, it would just make sure that help? porations are able to sell goods abroad those who have amassed great wealth As I understand it, one of the points and avoid U.S. taxes through some through the U.S. economic system pay that was indirectly referred to was the fancy footwork during the export proc- their fair share of taxes. earned income tax credit. I do not ess. This provision allows multi- Last year, approximately 850 individ- know much about what has been going national corporations to shift sales to uals renounced their citizenship, but on in the budget negotiations at the overseas operations, eliminating tax- only a handful of those would be af- White House, but I understand that is ation in this country. fected by this legislation. The tax loop- one area where they are very close to This loophole was closed by both the hole only applies to those with a mini- agreement. House and the Senate in the 1986 tax mum $600,000 in unrealized gains, which Mr. KENNEDY. Will the Senator reform process, but was reopened in generally would necessitate a mini- yield on that point? S 54 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 Mr. LOTT. The earned income tax Also, you want to help families, a alternative budget that has been pro- credit program is one that most of us family of four? How about helping posed by the majority in Congress, have supported in the past. The prob- them by allowing them to keep a little more money is added back for edu- lem has been it has exploded, like so of their own money with a tax credit cation. Even these direct loans are many Federal programs. Now, I under- for children? We are trying to encour- being increased. stand, people who have an income of up age and help families with children Mr. KENNEDY. Will the Senator to $30,000 a year are getting a tax cred- provide for their own needs, and not ev- yield on the issue of education? it. We are not saying eliminate it. We erybody just look to the Federal Gov- Mr. LOTT. I still maintain, when you are not saying wipe it out. We are say- ernment to do it for them. look at the Federal programs we have ing control the explosive growth, make Yes, the capital gains tax rate cut. with the NDSL, the Pell grants, the sure it is applicable and provided to This is something most people will ac- other grants, the myriad of programs those who are at the low-income, entry knowledge, if it is done properly, will to help people who want to go to col- level, and not begin to move it on up encourage growth in the economy and lege, the money is there for people that into the beginnings of middle-income the creation of jobs. Even the Presi- need it. The only ones who may not be people. dent has said as much. He has said that getting enough help are those in the Another point, let us talk about the if other tax provisions can be worked upper-middle-income category that specifics of the tax proposals. I have out, and the spending disagreements cannot qualify for the loans or the asked this question here on the floor can be worked out, that this is some- grants. and nobody has really responded to it. thing that he could support. Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, could Mr. KENNEDY. Could I ask the Sen- So it is one thing to bash the tax cuts I ask, just on that question—— ator this question, why is the Sen- en bloc, but when you take it apart and Mr. LOTT. I yield to the Senator ator—— look at what is in the package that from Massachusetts. Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I yield for passed the Congress overwhelmingly, Mr. KENNEDY. Why does the Sen- a question. there is an awful lot of good in there. ator, who believes in competition and Mr. KENNEDY. Why is the Senator I hope it will remain in the final pack- also in choice, why does he defend the so concerned about providing some off- age. Republican position in insisting that set for the EITC program, for the in- Maybe the magic number is not 240 students get their aid and assistance creases in the Social Security and the or 245, maybe it is less than that. But through colleges through the guaran- excise taxes and other FICA taxes, for I think we need to look at the specifics teed loan program, which provides, families that are making $30,000, yet so of what we are trying to do and who we over the period of the next 7 years, a unwilling to try to provide also some are trying to help in the economy. If guaranteed profit of between $7 and $9 belt tightening for those who are mak- billion over that period to the banks in ing $400,000? I have not heard the Sen- we need to make changes to make sure this country, rather than letting the ator talk about that. I am stunned by it is directed more to the middle-in- college and the student make their his silence. I am sure he is going to ad- come families, fine. I would support choice whether they want that or the dress that issue. That is what this is that. I think that is the way the talks about. will eventually go. direct loan program? Mr. LOTT addressed the Chair. Mr. SARBANES. Will the Senator Mr. LOTT. Let the Government do it. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time yield for a question? That is always the answer. Let the belongs to the Senator from Mis- Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, before I Federal Government become the lender sissippi. yield the floor I yield for a question. of first resort. Mr. LOTT. I would ask this of the Mr. SARBANES. Yesterday AT&T Mr. KENNEDY. Why not let the Senator, is he opposed to eliminating announced they were going to fire schools and students choose the loan the marriage penalty in the Tax Code? 30,000 people. Why in the world would program that provides the best services For years we have talked about the un- you cut the taxes, in some instances in at the lowest cost, rather than writing fairness of the marriage penalty. That half, on the CEO’s getting the stock op- in, as the Republicans have done, an is one of the things we propose to tions, who are not on their way out the arbitrary cap on direct loans? eliminate, and it is not cheap. It costs door, and then turn to these fired, Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I reclaim a good bit of money. Why should a cou- these families who have been fired, and my time to say this. The answer is al- ple living apart pay more when they say it is going to be harder for you to ways let Uncle Sam give the money, di- get married, under the Tax Code, even get a tuition loan to send your son and rect the money, loan the money. I say though they are making the same daughter to college. Or, if they are—— the private sector can do it and they money? Mr. LOTT. It is not going to be hard- will do a better job of collecting the Who among us opposes the option of er for them to get a tuition loan. loans that are owed than the Federal the spousal IRA, the spouse working in Mr. SARBANES. Low-income people, Government. The Federal Government the home being able to have an individ- they are not going to get the tax cred- has a terrible record in collecting ual retirement account? I do not think it. money that is owed on these loans that anybody is opposed to that. Most of us Mr. LOTT. Everybody who wants to have been made. would like to see the IRA expanded be- go to college will be able to get a loan I say we should have a greater em- cause we would like to encourage sav- or grant or work-study program or phasis on loans, as a matter of fact. I ings. When we had the individual re- scholarship. They will be able to go to have always supported the NDSL Pro- tirement account provisions in the college in America. gram. But now we are going to a pro- 1980’s it worked. It encouraged people Mr. SARBANES. Not under the plan gram that, in my opinion, is going to to save. Part of what is going on in you put forward. You are cutting back wind up costing a whole lot more and, these negotiations would allow for an on that. for a lot of kids in the future who will expansion of IRA and then allow it to You are having senior citizens find- need that help, the money will not be be used for education and for medical ing themselves unable to get medical there to help them. purposes. I think those are good ideas. care and, at the same time you are Mr. President, I yield the floor. And should we not allow for changes doing all this, you are going to give a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- in the estate taxes so people who have big tax break. ator from Montana. small farms and small businesses do Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I reclaim f not wind up having to sell the farms my time. If the Senator is going to that have been in their families for make that kind of statement about THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN years to pay for the estate taxes—how what we are going to do, throwing sen- Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, we have in the world did we ever get in a posi- ior citizens off of Medicare, that is just heard some very interesting comments tion of taxing death, anyway? I think not the case. It is not the intent and it by the Senator from Mississippi, the most American people would like to re- would not be the result. Senator from Maryland, and the Sen- ceive some relief there, whether they As a matter of fact, I think the Sen- ator from Massachusetts, debating are wealthy or poor, frankly. ator from Maryland knows that in the what the provisions of the Federal January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 55 budget should be. Each Senator has his Listen to a letter I got last week The fact is, you should not do things own views. That is a very important from a fellow who works in the park. that you know are wrong. It is that debate. I personally fall on the side of I work here in Yellowstone National park simple. It is the very first moral lesson the Senator from Maryland and the in the fleet Maintenance Division as a me- we learn as children. You should not do Senator from Massachusetts, in saying chanic. The job I currently hold has been the things you know are wrong. this budget proposed by the Republican best one I’ve ever held. I’ve held this perma- You should not make families on the majority is unfair. It creates too much nent position since the 25th of September, Fort Peck Reservation go without 1989. As you very well know, the National of a burden on middle-income people, heating in the coldest part of winter. Park Service is currently in the middle of You should not threaten the jobs of on low-income people, and shifts the the budget crisis. This stalemate has got to benefit to the most wealthy. It is just stop now, due to the fact that the main con- auto mechanics and scientific research- basically unfair. But, Mr. President, I cessionaire, TW Recreational Services, has ers. stand here to address another issue. been considering shutting the season down You should not threaten to make While we are here debating what the because they cannot maintain the number of small businesses close their doors be- provisions of the Federal budget should employees to wait out this ‘‘Mexican Stand- cause they have no money to pay the be, many—tens of thousands, hundreds off’’ and may have to abandon the rest of the rent. of thousands, millions of innocent season. You should not hurt innocent, hard- Not only that, the gateway communities of working people. Americans—are suffering because the the Park are currently losing capital and are Government is shut down and because So I have come down here to the trying to survive the lost income all because floor, Mr. President, just to say to the innocent Americans, whether they are you people decided to ‘‘flex’’ your muscle and Speaker and to the folks in the House, working for the Federal Government or keep the National Park Service shut down. do what you know is right. Pass the not, are bearing the brunt of this shut- Now hear an e-mail I received just resolution. Put folks back to work. down. It is wrong. It is absolutely this morning from a woman who works Take the burden off of them so that we wrong. We should put people back to in Hamilton: in both Houses of Congress, along with work. As a non-tenured, furloughed staff sci- the President, can do the Nation’s The burden of this debate should not entist at the Rocky Mountain Labs, NIH, work and pass the 7-year balanced fall on innocent Americans, and it is Hamilton Montana, I am feeling this quite budget resolution. now falling on innocent Americans be- acutely, both financially and professionally. Let us debate the provisions of it, but Or listen to the folks at the Gardiner cause the House majority and the let us not in the meantime put the bur- Chamber of Commerce: Speaker of the House are in a willful den on innocent Americans. Mr. Speak- band over there and are not letting Gardiner is the north entrance to Yellow- er, and all of the Republicans in the American Federal employees go back stone Park. The economy is almost entirely dependent on visitors to Yellowstone. With House, I urge you to do what you know to work. is right. Pass the resolution and put It is a very interesting debate we Yellowstone closed the last three weeks, the the people back to work. have heard from the Senator from Mis- cost to our small community of 1,500 is not less than $1.5 million in private sector gross Mr. President, I yield the floor. sissippi, the Senator from Massachu- receipts. Mr. SARBANES addressed the Chair. setts, and the Senator from Maryland. Mr. President, you heard that right. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- It is very interesting. Let us have this Since last December, Gardiner has lost ator from Maryland. debate. Let us work on the budget. Let f us work on the provisions. But, in the $1,000 for every single resident—inno- meantime, let us put Americans back cent people, while we here debate. It is THE BUDGET to work, and let us take the burden off wrong. Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, just Mr. President, it is an outrage. What- of innocent Americans. a couple of days ago Ellen Goodman ever one’s views on the budget, it is Today, once again, most of the em- wrote a very interesting column enti- wrong and has to stop. It is wrong that ployees of the Forest Service, the Bu- tled ‘‘Bootstraps for Middle-Aged Chil- innocent people suffer, whether they reau of Land Management, the VA hos- dren,’’ and she addressed the problem pitals, the State Department, and are furloughed Federal employees or that would confront the elderly and many other parts of our Government other Americans who feel the brunt of their children if the budget is cut ac- will stay home and the rest will work it, while we in the Congress debate the cording to the Republican budget pro- without pay. budget. posal. She made the point that middle- I want to commend our majority Small businesses will go without aged children may get a small tax cut Government contracts as their rent leader for doing what is right and get- of less than $1 a day and a nursing and utility bills are coming due. ting the Senate to do its part by pass- home bill of $35,000 a year for their par- People on Indian reservations will ing a bill to keep the Government ents if some of these Medicaid cuts go have to go without heating assistance open. That was a tough decision. He through. money as a blizzard now sweeps across has been roundly criticized for it. But Actually, the fact is that Medicaid the Great Plains during the coldest it was the right thing to do. now pays for 60 percent of nursing weeks of the year. Now it is up to Speaker GINGRICH and home care. The elderly are required to Gas stations in rural areas that de- the House. Up to now, they have flat- use up their own assets until they get pend on their customers in the Forest out refused to do what is right. They down to a level where they qualify for Service will lose more of their busi- have flat-out refused to take the bur- Medicaid. These are middle-income ness. den off of innocent Americans. They people who are, in effect, by their Families will lose there housing de- are the holdouts. Yesterday, they voted health situation, forced to use up their posits. Why? Because the VA cannot to keep hurting the small businesses assets in order to meet their medical process home loans. outside Yellowstone, keep the people needs, and then Medicaid covers for I am here to say that it is an outrage. on the Fort Peck Reservation and our them. If Medicaid ceases to do that, the I spent last Monday walking down other reservations waiting for their burden is going to come back upon Route I–94 through Miles City, close to heating assistance, keep people at their children. where you, Mr. President, reside. That home or working without pay. I think if people ask themselves care- is the State you represent. I heard Why did they do it? Well, they have fully, ‘‘Which would you rather do, from people who do not know how they ideas that they want the President to forego a small tax benefit or keep the will pay their heating bills, and others accept on the budget. Maybe they be- protection against the extraordinary who had counted on a day lieve they get some leverage over the costs of nursing home care?’’ they snowmobiling in Yellowstone National President with this, or think they have would want to be protected against the Park. I have heard the same outrage some political advantage when all of nursing home costs. from people in our State who are un- this is ended. That might be so. I have I ask unanimous consent that this ar- able to go snowmobiling in Yellow- ideas that I would like the President to ticle be printed in the RECORD. stone National Park. Excuse my lan- accept on the budget, too. But I am not There being no objection, the mate- guage, but they are mad as hell, and going to punish innocent people just rial was ordered to be printed in the they are right to be mad as hell. because I want my views adopted. RECORD, as follows: S 56 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 [From the Sun, Jan. 3, 1996] their characters that will be built on deterio- venting Government. On that same BOOTSTRAPS FOR MIDDLE-AGED CHILDREN rating lives. One politician’s social issue is day, Vice President GORE said: another woman’s life. It’s time we cut the red tape and trimmed (By Ellen Goodman) There is enough guilt in every family to the bureaucracy, and it’s time we took out of BOSTON.—This one is for Priscilla Parten, trip the responsibility wire, to push the but- our vocabulary the words, ‘Well, we’ve al- the Derry, N.H., woman who had the temer- ton that says families should take care of ways done it that way. ity to ask Lamar Alexander who would care their own. As a political slogan, P.R. passes for the elderly if the budget is cut according what Dan Yankelovich calls the ‘‘they have The Vice President also requested ac- to the GOP pattern. a point’’ test. tion from citizens and policymakers. The answer from the presidential can- But there is an awful lot of Personal Re- Help us get rid of the waste and ineffi- didate, one of the men hawking their wares sponsibility going around already. As edu- ciency. Help us get rid of unnecessary bu- across New Hampshire was that ‘‘We’re going cational loans are cut we are told to be re- reaucracy. Let us know when you spot a to have to accept more personal responsibil- sponsible for our own children. As company problem and tell us when you’ve got an idea. ity in our own families for reading to our pensions are fading, we are told to be respon- I have spotted a problem and I have sible for our own retirement. At the same children and caring for our parents, and an idea. Outside of Washington, this is that’s going to be inconvenient and dif- time we are to be responsible for disabled ficult.’’ parents and even grandparents. common sense. The problem is that we Happy New Year, Priscilla and open up Dear Priscilla, when the politicians up have multiple agencies doing the same your calendar. Scribble down two rather there start talking about Personal Respon- thing with regard to wetlands. My idea large words under 1996: Personal Responsibil- sibility, they mean our responsibility, not was to eliminate just a fraction of the ity. They’re going to be the watchwords of theirs. The GOP Congress isn’t just trying to existing redundancy in wetlands regu- the 1996 campaign. balance the budget. They want to end the lation. The Clinton administration al- Personal Responsibility is the catchall idea of government as an agent of mutual re- ready has employees at the U.S. Army moral phrase uttered by politicians in favor sponsibility. This is what you get in return for a safety Corps of Engineers who have had the of removing the guaranteed safety net and lead in making permitting decisions on parceling the money out in incredibly net: a pair of bootstraps, a middle-class tax shrinking block grants to the states. It’s the cut of less than a dollar a day and, oh yes, a wetlands for 20 years. The Clinton ad- all-purpose ethical disclaimer for those who nursing-home bill of $35,000 a year. ministration also has employees at the equate the task of caring for the elderly sick f Environmental Protection Agency with ‘‘reading to children,’’ for those who FEDERAL REGULATION OF which oversee the same permitting de- blithely describe eldercare as ‘‘inconven- cisions. My idea is that one team of WETLANDS ient’’ or ‘‘difficult’’ but character-building. professionals should be enough. If it is To know what they have in mind, get past Mr. BOND. Mr. President, for years, I not enough, then we have more man- the P.R. campaign and go to the fine print of have tried to reform the way our Fed- agement problems than a National Per- the GOP’s Medicaid Transformation Act of eral Government protects wetlands. formance Review could remedy. 1995. That’s the Orwellian title for the bill The current system is bureaucratic and I included a provision in the VA–HUD that would ‘‘transform’’ Medicaid by elimi- cumbersome; it is full of delay, waste, appropriations bill which removes nating its guarantee. and uncertainty. I believe that wet- From the day Medicaid is block-granted, EPA’s duplicative authority to veto adult children earning more than the na- lands should be protected. I believe corps-issued permits. According to the tional median income—that’s $31,000 a year that the Federal Government should corps, there is no other Federal regu- per household—may be held responsible for continue to have an important role. latory program that gives two Federal the bill if their parents are in a nursing But clearly, whatever is done to ad- agencies decisional authority over the home. If they don’t pay up, these newly de- dress the outstanding questions sur- same Federal permit of action. The fined Deadbeat Kids may find a lien put on rounding the Federal regulation of wet- corps has been the lead agency in wet- their incomes, their houses, their savings. lands, the system must be streamlined. lands protection for almost 20 years A secret of the current system is that Med- This is not radical or extreme. It is not icaid, the health program established for the and it simply cannot be demonstrated poor and their children, now pays for 60 per- even partisan. If one is not an em- that we need to hire one set of bureau- cent of nursing-home care. That’s because ployee of the Environmental Protec- crats to second-guess what the first set nursing care eats up the assets of elders at a tion Agency or if one is not a K-Street of bureaucrats is hired to do in the rate of about $35,000 a year until they are in- concrete environmentalist, streamlin- first place. We are here today to bal- digent. ing makes sense. Streamlining is a bi- ance a budget. To balance a budget, Not surprisingly, the folks calling for Per- partisan issue. Depending on which day tough choices must be made. Eliminat- sonal Responsibility draw on examples of one decides to listen to the President, ing redundant activities is an easy personal irresponsibility to justify a change he believes in streamlining. choice. It is common sense. Leave it to that is beginning to make middle-class eyes Senators may remember the National widen. They point to elderly millionaires the environmental lobbyists to argue who deliberately transfer their assets to the Performance Review to re-invent Gov- that we need two or more different kids in order to go on the dole in nursing ernment making Government work Federal agencies conducting the same homes. They describe deadbeat kids who cal- better and cost less. We have been told task—looking over each other’s shoul- lously drop their parents at the government that the administration wants to make der—adding expense, confusion, delay door and go off to the Bahamas. the Government user friendly, that it and frustration for our Nation’s citi- THE ONES WHO WILL SUFFER wants to streamline and reduce dupli- zens. But if and when states begin sending bills cation and waste. There have been many changes rec- to the kids, those folks aren’t the ones Our goal is to make the entire Federal ommended to improve the administra- who’ll suffer. Thousands of middle-aged Government both less expensive and more ef- tion of this important program. This ‘‘children’’ of the 3 million elders in nursing ficient, and to change the culture of our na- change is the easiest one. In that sense, homes may have to pay for their parents out tional bureaucracy away from complacency I thought the provision should be non- of their children’s education fund and their and entitlement toward initiative and controversial. In fact, no Senator of- own retirement savings. Adult children, per- empowerment. We intend to redesign, to fered an amendment on the floor to ad- haps elders themselves, may have to choose reinvent, to reinvigorate the entire national between nursing sick parents at home or government. dress this provision. It was not chal- lenged in the House. Hearings have emptying the bank. This is President Clinton on March 3, been held in both the House and the How neglectful are we, anyway? Despite 1993. He also said: the bad P.R. we are getting, families do not Senate. The House-passed reauthoriza- by and large look to nursing homes for their It is time the Federal Government follow tion of the Clean Water Act removes parents until they are overwhelmed. Elders the example set by the most innovative State and local leaders and by the many this duplicative authority. The biparti- do not, by and large, go there until they are san bill introduced in the Senate to re- too ill to be cared for at home. Only one-fifth huge private sector companies that have had to go through the same sort of searching re- form the wetlands regulatory program of the disabled elderly are in nursing homes. removes this authority. Daughters and daughters-in-law provide examination over the last decade, companies most of the care of elders and they will that have downsized and streamlined and be- Knowing of the Clinton’s administra- shoulder the increased Personal Responsibil- come more customer-friendly and, as a re- tion’s efforts to streamline Govern- ity at the cost of their jobs, their pensions, sult, have had much, much more success. ment, I was surprised to learn in the their own old age. The daughter of a disabled Apparently, Vice President GORE also President’s veto message that this pro- 88-year-old may, after all, be 66 herself. It is believes in streamlining and rein- vision is one of the reasons for the January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 57 President vetoing the bill that funds thority so we shouldn’t care about ists and EPA wetlands experts are not Federal employees at EPA, the Veter- them having it. I will argue that if the only people who understand and an’s Administration, Housing and they never use it, then why have it? I are willing to protect valuable wet- Urban Development, and others. Not would like to know why the adminis- lands. even rank and file people at the EPA tration desperately needs an authority As anyone can see, the cries from the could think this is a very good reason that has only been used 11 times in the environmental lobby are a red herring. for the President to prevent their fund- last 20 years as tens of thousands of There remains lots of bureaucracy and ing bill from becoming law. This is permit decisions were made. Is the lots of redundancy for those who cher- truly an astonishing notion put forth President trying to say, well, yes, we ish it. In this case, they are crying by the President. He is saying, in ef- agree that the EPA has not officially wolf. My provision will do nothing to fect, I don’t trust the people who I objected to corps decisions 99.9978 per- harm wetlands. Under my provision, if hired and the people who work for me cent of the time, but we can never be a wetland is or is not permitted, it will at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to too careful. We have so much extra be because of an official decision made protect wetlands and to obey the law money and so many people looking for by an official of the Clinton adminis- so I want to make sure I have another work at EPA, that we better have them tration. agency of people who I hired and who ready for that eventuality that occurs What is this about? It is a plain old- work for me to keep an eye on them. .0022 percent of the time. fashioned bureaucratic turf fight. EPA Mr. President, for me, this issue is a The other argument that is used is bureaucrats have power and they don’t flashback to another streamlining pro- that we would have the corps permit- want to surrender any of it. They have vision I proposed in the 102d and 103rd ting themselves for their own activi- good working relationships with envi- Congress. Several years ago, a farmer ties. As Senators know, the corps does ronmental lobbyists who don’t want to in St. Louis County came to my office not actually issue itself section 404 per- see their access reduced. I have no with a real problem. He had some wet mits but does follow all of the steps in- doubt that EPA employees work very places of ground on his land and he had volved in the permitting process. Every hard and have expertise in wetlands is- four different agencies coming out to other existing internal and external de- sues, but I am simply saying that the that land telling him different things. I cision safeguard is affected by my leg- corps does, too, and one agency is sent representatives out. The four islative provision. The corps must meet enough. I expect bureaucrats to fight agencies could not agree. They had the public interest review which re- to protect power and to protect turf. swampbuster, they had section 404 reg- quires the careful weighing of all pub- What I do not expect, however, is their ulations in hand. We got two different lic interest factors. Mr. President, lis- political leadership to provide them opinions on the particular wetlands ten to the list of criteria to be consid- cover for doing so. Is the President problems and the agencies could not ered under the public interest review: here to create a government that agree. works better and costs less or is he I had a modest suggestion and intro- All factors which may be relevant to the proposal must be considered including the here to protect bureaucratic turf and duced legislation to make the Soil Con- cumulative effects thereof: among those are the regulatory status quo. Unfortu- servation Service the lead agency re- conservation, economics, aesthetics, general nately, the bureaucrats whose turf the sponsible for technical determinations environmental concerns, wetlands, historic President is protecting are currently at about wetlands on agricultural lands. properties, fish and wildlife values, flood home because the President vetoed After several years passed, I offered hazards, floodplain values, land use shore their funding bill—in part, and aston- this proposal as an amendment on May erosion, etc. ishingly, over this common-sense issue. 4, 1993, to S. 171, the Department of the Additional criteria the corps are Mr. President, there was a New York Environment bill to elevate the EPA to bound to follow are found in the sec- Times article printed in the RECORD on Cabinet level. The administration op- tion 404(b)(1) guidelines developed by December 14 [S18650] that discusses posed that idea also—at least initially. the EPA. EPA retains its 404(q) author- this issue. I ask unammious consent The opposition dug out all the same bo- ity, known as elevation authority, that my response to that letter be geymen, ghosts, and goblins. I was ac- which allows the EPA and the Depart- printed in the RECORD. I also ask unan- tually told that this amendment would ment of Commerce and the Interior to imous consent to have printed in the make things more complicated—not request higher level review within the RECORD a Wall Street Journal op-ed less—if SCS was the lead agency. I was Department of the Army. Individual piece entitled ‘‘Death of a Family told this was the wrong vehicle and State permitting and water quality Farm,’’ detailing an abuse of wetlands that the amendment would make wet- certification requirements provide an regulations. lands regulation more expensive. The additional form of objective safeguard There being no objection, the mate- bipartisan amendment failed 40–54. to the corps regulatory program. Sec- rial was ordered to be printed in the Eight months later, the administration tion 401 of the Clean Water Act re- RECORD, as follows: adopted this idea administratively and quires State certification or waiver of U.S. SENATE, said they were glad they thought of it. certification prior to issuance of a sec- Washington, DC, December 15, 1995. In the interagency press release, they tion 404 permit—effectively giving Ms. KRIS WELLS, noted: States veto authority. Editor, Letters to the Editor, The New York The agreement eliminates this duplication In addition to these requirements, Times, New York, N.Y. DEAR MS. WELLS: The December 12, 1995, of effort and gives the farmer one wetland the corps’ implementing regulations determination from the Federal Govern- story entitled ‘‘Brief Clause in Bill Would ment. Farmers can now rely on a single wet- require that district engineers conduct Curb U.S. Power to Protect Wetlands’’ is a land determination by the Soil Conservation additional evaluations on applications very catchy headline, but grossly inaccurate. Services. with potential for having an effect on a As the article accurately notes, the U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish variety of special interests such as In- Army Corps of Engineers and the Environ- dian reservation lands, historic prop- mental Protection Agency (EPA) have dual and Wildlife and Parks George T. decisional authority in permitting activities Frampton, Jr., said: erties, endangered species, and wild and scenic rivers. The corps must sat- in wetlands. According to the Corps of Engi- This agreement represents a common sense neers, no other program maintains this dual approach to administering wetlands pro- isfy the National Environmental Pol- decisional authority over the same permit or grams affecting our Nation’s farmers. We are icy Act requirements during the permit action. minimizing duplication of effort. process and permit decisions are sub- In the spending measure I crafted for Vet- For this administration, it is a fine ject to legal challenges. EPA also has erans Affairs, Housing and Urban Develop- line between extremism and common lead enforcement authority. One final ment and the EPA, I included a provision sense. I would hope that another safeguard is provided by my fellow Sen- that eliminates this dual authority by re- ators. The great majority of corps moving EPA’s authority to veto permits the change of heart could be in order but I Corps has issued. Therefore, the provision fear that the pressure from environ- projects are authorized by Congress. I would indeed curb one and only one of the mental lobbyists may be too great. believe this Congress has the under- many ‘‘EPA’’ powers to protect wetlands, During Senate hearings, EPA argued standing and concern to put the brakes but it certainly does not curb ‘‘U.S.’’ power repeatedly that they never use the au- on bad projects—environmental lobby- to protect wetlands unless you think the S 58 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 ‘‘U.S.’’ Army Corps of Engineers in not a fed- visible water.’’ Because of the tricky nature argument isn’t just liberal griping. Recent eral agency. Additionally, these two agencies of wetland identification, in 1987 the Corps data from a nationwide survey of wetlands, just happen to report to the same boss/es; ie., developed a 150-page manual filled with flow conducted by the U.S. Agriculture Depart- the President, Office of Management and charts, appendices and guidelines for identi- ment, suggests that even though wetland Budget, the Counsel on Environmental Qual- fying wetlands. regulation has increased in the last decade, ity and the Vice President, who is a self-pro- Upon learning about the road, the Corps wetland losses to development have not claimed advocate for the environment. told the Stamps, ‘‘Since a Federal permit slowed. Even more ironic is that despite the There are many things this government has not been issued for the work you are continued loss of wetlands to development, a can no longer afford, and on the top of that presently performing, you are hereby ordered host of non-regulatory, incentive-based pro- list is bureaucratic redundancy. Leave it to to cease and desist from any further work grams have restored so many wetlands that the environmentalists to argue that we need within Corps jurisdiction.’’ In order to con- this year the U.S. will gain more wetlands two or more different federal agencies con- tinue, the Stamps had to apply for a permit than it lost. ducting the same task—looking over each for the road they had already built. The Recently, Sen. John Chafee (R. R.I.), chair- other’s shoulder—adding expense, confusion, Corps denied the permit, and demanded that man of the Environment and Public Works delay and frustration. The bottom line on the road be removed. In addition, the Corps Committee, announced plans to consider the this issue and on the projects that were men- demanded that the Stamps also remove the re-authorization of the Clean Water Act, in- tioned in the article is this: if a wetland is or water and sewer lines which had been placed cluding the 404 program. The senator has the is not permitted, it will be because of an offi- on their property. The Corps refused to con- power to eliminate a program that both cial decision rendered by officials of the sider any additional permits until the landowners and environmentalists agree is a Clinton Administration. If people in the en- Stamps complied with their demands. bloated, wasteful bureaucracy. Maybe he can vironmental community do not feel that the Realizing the mess they were in, the do it before another farm in his home state Clinton Administration has hired aggressive Stamps hired an expert consultant to help goes belly up. enough regulators, then they should take it them with their wetland problems. After sur- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, there are up with the Clinton Administration and quit veying the area with the Corps’ own manual, many ways in which we can reform this crying wolf about a common-sense provision the consultant came to the conclusion that program. We can do so in a bipartisan to streamline government—a goal that the the area where the Stamps built their road wasn’t even a wetland. Just to be sure, he way. We can do so in a way that cuts President has repeatedly endorsed. redtape and offers new incentives for As Vice-President Gore said on March 3, brought in two other wetland and soil sci- 1993: ‘‘It’s time we cut the red tape and entists to look at the area. In a letter to Mr. wetlands protection. We can do so in a trimmed the bureaucracy, and it’s time we Stamp, one of the experts, a dean at the Uni- way that includes more respect for took out of our vocabulary the words, ‘Well, versity of Rhode Island, wrote: ‘‘The delinea- those who currently protect wetlands— we’ve always done it that way.’ . . . Help us tion of wetlands on that portion of your private property owners. We can bring get rid of the waste and inefficiency. Help us property is obviously in error.’’ The other rationality to the program and turn an get rid of the unnecessary bureaucracy. Let consultant, a former New York State soil important program into a more effec- us know when you spot a problem and tell us scientist, concluded, ‘‘Since the soils would not qualify as hydric soils, the area would tive and maybe—maybe—even a more when you’ve got an idea.’’ Don’t bother tell- popular program. In the process, we ing the environmental activists and lobby- not be a wetland under the U.S. Army Corps ists when you’ve got an idea. Which conserv- of Engineers jurisdiction.’’ might even give the States a greater ative ever called such dug-in-defenders of the Yet when the Corps was asked to reevalu- role. In my State, I know we have offi- status quo liberals? ate the site, it refused. The consultant, feel- cials who understand and care just as Sincerely, ing that the Stamps had been wronged, much about wetlands as the folks who wrote the Washington headquarters of the CHRISTOPHER S. BOND. work here in Washington. I am hopeful Corps and asked for a re-evaluation. The that these issues can be addressed. In [From the Wall Street Journal] Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army. G. Edward Dickey, refused, ‘‘because the Corps the meantime, this legislative provi- DEATH OF A FAMILY FARM is a decentralized agency, the divisions and sion is an important start toward re- (By Jonathan Tolman) districts are responsible for most permit de- moving duplicative redtape and an im- ‘‘My mother lives in Cranston. There cisions and other related regulatory deci- portant test for the President to see if aren’t any wetlands there.’’ This was the in- sions, including delineations.’’ (Perhaps he is so wed to the regulatory status credulous statement of a co-worker when I someone should tell the secretary of the quo, that he would reject this common- tried to explain to her the plight of the Army that he is now in charge of a ‘‘decen- sense reform. Stamp farm. Bill Stamp, president of the tralized agency.’’) Rhode Island Farm Bureau, and his wife Now, after the Stamps have spent thou- f Carol own one of the few farms left in the sands to restore the ‘‘wetland,’’ as well as THE BAD DEBT BOXSCORE state. But due to federal regulations, their having paid $15,000 in fines, thousands of dol- farm is slated to close at the first of the lars in legal fees and a lot more in increased Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, before year. property taxes, the original permits from the discussing today’s bad news about the The Stamps’ troubles all started when the state of Rhode Island have expired. Unless Federal debt, how about ‘‘another go’’, city of Cranston, R.I., rezoned their property the state can come through with new per- as the British put it, with our pop quiz. from agricultural to industrial. For years, mits in the next few weeks, the Stamps will Remember—one question, one answer. Cranston had been trying to get the Stamps be unable either to sell or develop their land, The question: How many millions of to develop their property. To give them an and their financiers will likely foreclose on dollars in a trillion? While you are added incentive, the city decided to raise their farm in January. their taxes to the industrial bracket in1983. Some might argue that in order to protect thinking about it, bear in mind that it In order to pay the higher taxes and keep our nation’s fragile wetlands, some errors was the U.S. Congress that ran up the their farming operation alive, the Stamps and unfortunate incidents will happen, but enormous Federal debt that is now decided to develop part of the property at in the long run it will be worth the price. about $12 billion shy of $5 trillion. Cranston and move their farm to another The problem with this reasoning is that the To be exact, as of the close of busi- part of the state. Their first encounter with 404 program doesn’t really protect wetlands. ness Wednesday, January 3, the total wetlands happened three years later after Although the unwitting can get caught in Federal debt—down to the penny— they built a road on part of their property. the regulatory morass of the 404 program, stood at $4,988,377,902,358.91. Another The Stamps had already received permits savvy developers are aware of myriad exemp- from both the city and the state to proceed tions, such as a rule that if the Corps does depressing figure means that on a per with the road when the Army Corps of Engi- not respond within 30 days of being notified capita basis, every man, woman, and neers decided to get involved. about a construction project of less than 10 child in America owes $18,935.97. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, acres, the developer can proceed with the Mr. President, back to our quiz—how before anyone can deposit dredged or fill ma- project. many million in a trillion? There are a terial into a ‘‘navigable water’’ of the U.S., Because of such loopholes it is not surpris- million million in a trillion, which they must get a permit from the Army Corps ing that many environmentalists detest the means that the Federal Government of Engineers. Over the years, with the legal 404 program almost as much as landowners. will shortly owe $5 million million. prodding of environmentalists and a string of An article published last spring in Audubon Now who’s not in favor of balancing court cases, the Corps has expanded its defi- magazine described the 404 program as ‘‘a nition of ‘‘navigable water’’ to include areas hoax perpetrated and perpetuated by a the Federal budget? you wouldn’t normally expect to see boats, wasteful, bloated bureaucracy that is effi- f namely wetlands. cient only at finding ways to shirk its obli- THE NEW YEAR Identifying wetlands is a difficult business. gations and that when beaten on by devel- As the Corps pointed out in one of its recent opers, spews wetland destruction permits as Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, the press releases, ‘‘Wetlands don’t have to have if it were a pinata.’’ The environmentalists’ new year is now upon us, a Presidential January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 59 year, and already the competition is we would like for him to have 10 min- rejection of the President’s attempts to fierce among candidates for election to utes. balance the budget by all Republicans ‘‘Safire’s New Political Dictionary: The Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I suggest and all Democrats in the Senate. Definitive Guide to the New Language the absence of a quorum. So for anybody who is under the illu- of Politics.’’ Accordingly, Mr. Presi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sion that the President has proposed a dent, I have the honor to propose as clerk will call the roll. balanced budget with honest numbers, first-in-the-field, a remarkable triple- The bill clerk proceeded to call the no one in this body, Republican or hyphenated safe bet and sure winner roll. Democrat, agrees to that. from the new year’s day editorial of Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask It seems to me, third, that at every the Washington Post entitled, appro- unanimous consent that the order for stage of the negotiations the President priately enough, ‘‘The New Year.’’ The the quorum call be rescinded. has purposely tried to distract the Na- editorial looked back to its predecessor The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tion’s attention from a balanced budg- 50 years ago, when the Post editorial objection, it is so ordered. et. writer of that age, contemplating the Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I think First, he talked about the number of end of the Second World War, pondered we have an agreement here that we years it would take to balance the whether the United Nations might now would extend the period of time for budget and finally agreed, under duress bring peace on Earth. This year’s edi- morning business by 20 minutes, with I think, that 7 years would be the right torial comments, ‘‘That sort of world- 10 minutes allocated to this Senator number. But he was quoted as saying, federal-ish talk seems almost quaint and 10 minutes allocated to the Sen- and I quote again, ‘‘[As President] I today.’’ Indeed, it does. Cord Meyer ator from Arkansas, as given by the would present a 5-year plan to balance apart, there are not likely to be as Senator from Maryland. If that is ac- the budget.’’ He said that on Larry many as half a dozen Americans alive ceptable, I so ask unanimous consent. King in June. who remember the World Federalists The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without And then in July, he said, ‘‘But I do and their unflinching attachment to objection, it is so ordered. not believe it is good policy, based on world government. That, of course, is Mr. COATS. And thereafter, Mr. my understanding of this budget— just the role editorials play in our President, I ask unanimous consent the which is pretty good, now—to do it in lives; to remind us of forgotten fancies Senate go into recess subject to the 7 years.’’ That he said in a Rose Garden and dashed dreams, lest we become too call of the Chair. ceremony in July. much impressed with the wonders of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Then he said, well, I think we ought our own age. objection, it is so ordered. to ‘‘balance the budget in 10 years. It Mr. President, I can report that Mr. Mr. COATS addressed the Chair. took decades to run up the deficit, it’s Safire, interviewed by telephone in his The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- going to take a decade to wipe it out.’’ posh Washington offices, readily con- ator from Indiana. That was during his Presidential ad- curred that ‘‘world-federal-ish’’ was f dress to the Nation. Then he used the scoring issue, that definitely an early starter for this TIME TO BALANCE THE BUDGET year’s pol-lexigraphic race, adding that is, determining whether or not the it might prove a watershed compound Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I have numbers were real, as a distraction. He and go on to win a triple crown. come for the first time to a disturbing challenged us—and I sat over at the Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I suggest conviction. That conviction is that I do House of Representatives during his the absence of a quorum. not believe this budget process is going State of the Union Address—when he The PRESIDING OFFICER. The to succeed. I am beginning to believe said, ‘‘Let’s at least argue about the clerk will call the roll. that any amount of negotiating in the same set of numbers so the American The bill clerk proceeded to call the future is not going to result in agree- people will think we are shooting roll. ment. I have come to this point be- straight with them.’’ That was in his Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask cause 44 days after the President said address before a joint session of Con- unanimous consent that the order for he agreed that we should enact a bal- gress on administration goals in Feb- the quorum call be rescinded. anced budget, nothing has happened, ruary 1993. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and I am not sure that negotiating and And so we accepted that challenge, objection, it is so ordered. bargaining is being done in any way and we said we will agree, Mr. Presi- f that would fulfill that commitment. dent; let us use the agency that you The President, first of all, has not want to use. That is the Congressional ORDER FOR RECESS SUBJECT TO demonstrated any history of support- Budget Office. And then we argued THE CALL OF THE CHAIR ing or proposing a balanced budget and back and forth, back and forth, and the Mr. COATS. Mr. President, may I in- has yet to put a balanced budget as President said, well, the Congressional quire, what is the current status of the scored by the agency that he insisted it Budget Office, I do not agree with Senate? be scored by, on the table. them. I wish to use my own numbers. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time He has vetoed the only real budget For nearly 9 months he was able to for morning business has expired. that has come before his desk, and even distract the press, the Congress, and Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask now, today, January 4, as I said, 44 the American people from the real unanimous consent to extend the time days after he agreed to enact a bal- issue of balancing the budget by focus- of morning business for an additional anced budget, he has yet to propose a ing the debate on how long it ought to 10 minutes, and that I be permitted to balanced budget. President Clinton has take, on what numbers we ought to speak during that time. now proposed four budgets, none of use. So he—I have to give him credit— The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there which has produced a balance. The he masterfully maneuvered and shifted objection? third so-called balanced budget he pro- the debate for month after month after Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, re- posed was scored by the Congressional month when the real issue was bal- serving the right to object, could I sug- Budget Office as $200 billion per year ancing the budget. gest to my colleague that we extend it over balance as far as the eye could The President’s attitude is particu- until 2 o’clock with Members allowed see, and then his fourth budget only larly destructive because we are at a to speak therein for 10 minutes? managed to reduce the deficits to $100 unique moment in recent history. We Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I have billion a year for every year ad infini- have the opportunity to pass a real bal- been informed that it is the leader’s in- tum. anced budget, interestingly enough, at tention to go into recess subject to the Not one Member of the Senate, Re- a time when the differences between us call of the Chair immediately after my publican or Democrat, has voted for are not that great. We have a chance to statement. the President’s budget. In one vote, it negotiate because really we are quite Mr. SARBANES. There is a Member was defeated 96 to nothing, in another close. A number of Democrats have on our side who actually has left his of- 99 to nothing. So this is just not Re- worked with Republicans in trying to fice and is on his way to the floor, and publican rhetoric. This is a unanimous put together an alternative budget S 60 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 that would reach balance, and the ally balanced, if he is not willing to do The majority leader probably is not number differences really are not that this, then I think we should end this interested in having a Democrat com- far apart. politically motivated pretense that is pliment him for what he did because I The differences between the Repub- going on. am sure he is taking unbelievable flak lican budget and the President’s only It would then become an issue to be from some quarters in his own party. amounts to 2 percent of the entire decided in the 1996 elections. Voters That goes with the leadership. If you budget. Even on the most divisive is- would be presented with a very clear are not willing to stand up for what sues, those issues of Medicare, Medic- choice: The status quo, continue the you believe, you do not deserve to be aid, and welfare reform, we are quite Government growing as it has, leave it called a leader. If you do not stand up close. the same, that Government needs to do for responsible Government, you do not On the most contentious issue of all, more, keep spending, keep taxing, or deserve to be here. Medicare, both the President and the change the fundamental direction and We have a saying in Arkansas when First Lady have essentially stated that course of Government and achieve a something is really out of the ordinary. they would do more to slow the rate of balanced budget. We say, ‘‘I have been to two State fairs growth than what the Republicans If we do that, we can pass appropria- and a goat rope, and I never seen any- have done. In 1993 the President said: tions bills that produce enough savings thing like this before.’’ I can tell you, I have never seen anything like this be- .. . Medicare and Medicaid are going up at to ensure that we can still reach a bal- three times the rate of inflation. We propose anced budget in 7 years during this in- fore. I pray to God we never see any- to let it go up at two times the rate of infla- terim period between the time we cut thing like it again, because if the tion. This is not a Medicare and Medicaid off negotiations and the election of checks and balances of the Constitu- cut. 1996. tion can be circumscribed and cir- The First Lady in 1993 said: Mr. President, I suggest that it is cumvented by a simple hard-core ma- We are talking about beginning to reduce time for the games and the politics and jority who are willing to stick to- the rate of increase . . . in the Medicare the distractions to end. There is one gether, and most of whom distrust from about 11 percent . . . increase annually issue, and one issue only that we must Government, strongly distrust Govern- to about 6 or 7 percent increase annually. decide: Will we fulfill the promise of ment, the next question you have to So what the Republicans have done this unique moment in passing a bal- ask yourself is, if people are willing to in their budget is exactly what both anced Federal budget? All the rest can abuse their power by circumventing the President and the First Lady had be negotiated if both sides negotiate in the Constitution in a way that was indicated that we ought to do. And yet good faith. If the President refuses to never intended by Madison and the now it is politically turned to the fact do so, as he has done to this moment, other Framers, how long can we con- that the Republicans are trying to cut then the question will need to be put to tinue to govern ourselves? That is a when it is not a cut. We are trying to the American people—is it enough for a very legitimate question that you are do what they suggested. President to talk about a balanced going to hear asked more and more if My point is, not necessarily that the budget or do we need a President who this is not resolved shortly. President is playing politics with this, will actually agree to a balanced budg- The American people are divided to although clearly he is, my point is that et? some extent. They do not understand we are not far apart at all. Mr. President, I yield back any time it. But I can tell you, each day that I think we need to understand also I have remaining. goes on they become increasingly ap- Mr. BUMPERS addressed the Chair. that this partial shutdown of Govern- prehensive about just what is going on, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ment could be solved overnight if the what is the meaning of it. They are not ator from Arkansas. President had simply signed the appro- Federal employees, and so they are not f priations bills that were sent to him. very perturbed about it. But as they see their lives disrupted, as He chose to veto the Interior appro- HOW LONG UNTIL SOME MEMBERS everybody’s lives are going to be, if priations, the Commerce, Justice, IN CONGRESS COME TO THEIR this goes on much longer, they are State appropriations, and the VA–HUD SENSES? going to acclimate themselves and at- appropriations bills. Those hundreds of Mr. BUMPERS. Mr. President, when tune themselves to what is going on thousands of workers, Federal workers I was a young man the Governor of here. that are not now working that we hear Tennessee, the then-Governor of Ten- We should not for one moment forget about every day at drumbeat out of the nessee, Frank Clement, delivered the what is the overriding issue here. White House could all be at work if the keynote address at the Democratic na- There is a minor constitutional crisis President had just signed the bills that tional convention. As I matured and that could loom very large in the fu- we sent to him. studied speeches like that, I decided it ture; there is, obviously, a tremendous What is discouraging, Mr. President, was not quite as great as I thought it political battle going on, and that is is that we have come so close for a re- was at the time. But the thrust of the where the American people really do sult so important and that the remain- speech was, ‘‘How long, America?’’ And not understand why we would subject ing differences between us are narrow. he kept coming back to that recurring this country to this for political rea- But it seems to me that the President theme. ‘‘How long, oh, how long, Amer- sons. is willing to sacrifice perhaps one of ica?’’ In other words, how long are we But we should not ever forget one the most important things the U.S. going to wait for solutions to these simple fact: All we have to do is what Congress could do in this decade if not problems? the Senate did the night before last this century. We are sacrificing that, That would be a good speech to give and pass a continuing resolution and the demands of history for the demands today, how long the American people get Government up and running. It has of politics. are going to have to wait until some nothing to do—it has nothing to do— Look, this game cannot continue in- people in this body, but especially in with the discussions going on at the definitely. We have to end this politi- the House, come to their senses. White House. You can resolve every cal posturing. I think we have a moral This morning we had a group of So- single issue that is at stake here with- obligation to do so. I am convinced cial Security workers come into our out sending 250,000 workers home and that we should set some kind of firm Little Rock office. I was out at the others with half paychecks and scaring deadline and prove once and for all if time. My legislative director suggested the pants off a lot of American citi- the President has any intention of sup- that they call the Speaker of the zens. porting a balanced budget. That dead- House. He told them he would be happy The tax cut is one of the issues. That line ought to be set in weeks, not to give them the names of the 73 fresh- is not an unsurmountable problem. I months. men Congressman over there, their cannot tell you how I detest the If the President refuses to negotiate telephone numbers, and reminded them thought of that $245 billion tax cut, and in good faith to reach that agreement that the Senate had voted to do pre- every time I look at the statistics on and do what he said he would do, that cisely what should be done, thanks to who gets that $245 billion, I am lit- is, put a budget on the table that actu- the courage of the majority leader. erally stunned that every newspaper in January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 61 the country is not editorializing on it President that ever wanted more had saved in the last revival, how every single day. money. He never heard of anybody many souls they had saved in the last Think about it. The people who make vetoing a bill because they wanted year, and this youngster who wanted to less than $30,000 a year get virtually more money. I remind the Senator be a preacher was offended by the way not one dime of it, and if you make from Mississippi, Ronald Reagan used they talked about how many souls they $300,000 a year, you are going to get to go around saying, ‘‘I’m being ac- had saved, not as individual people who over $8,000 a year in tax cuts. What cused for these massive deficits, and were actually saved but macro num- kind of a nation passes tax bills like you know I can’t spend a penny that bers, and he took a vow that never that? Congress doesn’t appropriate.’’ would he take the gift of God so light- Let me go back. That is based on a To the ordinary layman out there, ly. CBO assumption that the budget will that is fine, because the people always As you might guess, as you go on be balanced in the year 2002, and by liked the President better than Con- into the book, he becomes a minister, doing so, interest rates will decline to gress. and the first thing you know, he is one the point that over a 7-year period, we I ask unanimous consent for 5 addi- of the big stars at the dinner on the will save $245 billion. I can tell you tional minutes, Mr. President. grounds after the church services, and that is a massive assumption, one that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under he is talking about how many souls I can almost guarantee you will never the order, we were to go into recess. you save, as he said originally, as come about. The Senator is recognized for 5 addi- though you were talking about ears of In order for that to come true, every tional minutes. corn being lopped off the stalk. Yes, he single projection of growth rate, inter- Mr. BUMPERS. While he was saying, fell into it, too. It was a magnificent est rates, and unemployment which the ‘‘I can’t spend a penny that Congress novel. I recommend it to you. Here we Congressional Budget Office puts out doesn’t appropriate,’’ he was never talk about 250,000 employees, which is would have to come true, literally vetoing any money bills. He signed ev- a big number. Do you know what they true—every one of those things. erything we sent him, and the people are? They are red-blooded human It also means that next year and the should be grateful, because while he beings with families, with obligations. next year and the next year, through 7 was President, Congress appropriated Some of them are losing their credit years, Congress will do precisely what billions less than he asked for. But he rating right now because they cannot was projected in this 1995 budget reso- vetoed a defense bill because it was not pay their bills. They, each one, count. lution. We will not even do what the high enough, and we had to give him When people sometimes ask me how I budget resolution does in 1996. I can bet more money to get him to sign the bill. would sum up our democracy and the you we will not do it. We certainly are Mr. President, the American people Constitution of the United States— not going to do it every year between last fall were angry about a host of which is sacred to me—I always say the now and the year 2002. You are going to things. There was no one single thing Constitution of the United States says have tornadoes in my State, you are that people were angry about. There one thing. Well, it does not say it, but going to have floods in the Midwest, were a whole host of things they were it means one thing and, that is, each you are going to have hurricanes in angry about. It is an interesting thing, one of us counts. Our criminal justice Florida, you are going to have you take 1 percent of the vote last fall system, our whole legal system, all of our freedoms in the Constitution say droughts throughout the Midwest, and and shift 1 percent of the vote here, each one of us counts, and each one of we are going to pick up the tab for here and there, and we would not have these 250,000 people who are suffering every bit of it. None of that is antici- anything bordering on an American count. I know how nice it is to go into pated in the budget resolution. revolution. a coffee shop. ‘‘It has not hurt me But for purposes of argument, be- As far as the bonded Contract With any.’’ ‘‘I have not lost a thing.’’ ‘‘It cause the President did, in fact, come America, so far two things have passed looks to me like we can probably do out with his own tax cut, not nearly as both Houses and have been signed by without those 250,000 from now on.’’ massive as this one, but why not say to the President, and both of them would You let this go on another 2 weeks and the Republicans: ‘‘You’re hot for a $245 probably have been passed without the see what they are saying in the coffee billion tax cut. You want to spend all so-called Contract With America. shops. of $245 billion the Congressional Budget People were not voting for the Con- So, Mr. President, these are human Office says you are going to save over tract With America, because they did beings, and they are depending on Con- the next 7 years. We do not believe not know anything about it. They were gress to do the right thing, to govern that. Not only do we disagree strongly voting because they were angry. They and not abuse their power. What is the on who would get the tax benefits, we were angry about the deficit, they were cost of this? Why are the American do not think those savings will ever angry about gays in the military, they people not up in arms about this? They materialize. But to prove our good were angry about some Members get- say $45 million a day. I do not know faith, why don’t we do this? Let’s wait ting in trouble. It was a whole host of who computed that, but add $12 million until the budget for 1998 comes up be- things. to that as of Sunday night. The 10-per- fore we get into this tax-cutting busi- But I can tell you, Mr. President, the cent airline costs—do you want to take ness. If all CBO’s projections have one thing they were not voting for was a guess what revenues that produces to come true, interest rates are as low as chaos. So far, that is all they have got- the U.S. Government every year? Be- they projected, all the other economic ten out of it. tween $4 and $5 billion. We are losing indices are the way they projected The other day I mentioned James $12 million a day. Add that to the $45 them and the savings are materializ- Baldwin, a great black author, who million, and then you take the loss of ing, then say, ‘OK, we’ll accept a $200 wrote a book called ‘‘Go Tell It on the revenues of the communities who are tax refund for all the children in Amer- Mountain.’’ In the book—it was sort of dependent on Government, national ica,’ and if it goes according to Hoyle autobiographical, I guess—the person parks, and so on. You are going to be at for 2 more years, up it to $400.’’ who was the central character in the $100 million a day, while we continue Why would that not be a simple solu- book was obviously James Baldwin. to negotiate and bargain and bicker tion to it? After all, once you put that He described the churches when he about sums much, much smaller than tax cut in place, if this place falls apart was a youngster and how people would that. It is the height of irresponsibility and the dome of the Capitol falls to the have dinner on the grounds after to hold this country hostage in order ground, you will not be able to take church. Senator HEFLIN, and south- to get your way. It is an outrageous that tax cut away. You are going to be erners like Senator HEFLIN and I know abuse of power. I do not mind saying, spending the money for a tax cut that what that is like. He has been to a in a partisan way, that I believe a lot you do not have, because we will never thousand dinners on the grounds after of people are going to pay for this come undo it. So why do it, unless you know church on Sundays, just as I have. next November. the savings are going to be there? James Baldwin describes in the book I yield the floor. I heard the majority whip say this listening to some of the black preach- Mr. DOMENICI. Parliamentary in- morning that this President is the first ers talk about how many souls they quiry, Mr. President. S 62 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Members of this body in seeking to around. We ought to come to the snub- COATS). The Senator will state it. have a resolution which would put the bing post and make some decisions. I Mr. DOMENICI. What is the situation Government back in place. It seems to yield the floor. in the Senate now? me that that is what we should do. We I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ought to have a limited CR in which The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair indicates to the Senator that we there is time to proceed with what I clerk will call the roll. are acting on a unanimous-consent re- hope are useful negotiations that are The legislative clerk proceeded to quest that the Senate go into recess going on. We need to put this thing be- call the roll. subject to the call of the Chair imme- hind us and get on with resolving the Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask diately after the remarks of the Sen- problems. unanimous consent that the order for ator from Arkansas, and those have There are, however, I think, a couple the quorum call be rescinded. just finished. of other things that we also ought to be The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I have able to expect. One is that the White objection, it is so ordered. not had an opportunity this morning to House and the President should deliver Mr. DOMENICI. I ask unanimous speak because I had to be elsewhere, what they said they would. We did this consent that notwithstanding the pre- which you might suspect. on November 19, I believe. We had an vious order, I be recognized to speak I ask unanimous consent that there agreement that we would have a CR, for not more than 10 minutes, Senator be a quorum call for 5 minutes after that during that time there would be a NUNN be recognized thereafter for up to which I be permitted to speak for up to balanced budget based on CBO num- 15 minutes, and following those re- 10 minutes and then the Senate recess bers, over 7 years. It did not happen. marks, I ask that the Senate stand in subject to the call of the Chair. That did not happen. Then we had an recess subject to the call of the Chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- opportunity—the White House did—to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ator can ask for a quorum call but can- pass appropriations bills, to put almost objection, it is so ordered. not predetermine what takes place all those back to work who are now f after that. The Senator can ask unani- furloughed. They did not do that. He THE CURRENT SITUATION mous consent to speak or put in a vetoed it. quorum call and then state that re- Mr. President, there is another dif- Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, there quest, and the Chair would consider ficulty that we have had in Wyoming. has been a rather lengthy discussion that. It has to do with Yellowstone Park. this morning about the continuing res- Mr. DOMENICI. The quorum call There was an article in the paper this olution and the status of our public needs to run before I make the request? morning about it. Our Governor sought employees. I very much wanted to be The PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. to negotiate with the Secretary of the here this morning to talk about it, but Mr. SARBANES. If the Senator will Interior so that the State would take obviously I had some other things I had withhold for a moment, is the Senator responsibility for part of Yellowstone to do as we seek to get a balanced prepared to proceed now? Park. There was no real effort on the budget. Mr. DOMENICI. I need that 5 minutes part of the Secretary to do that. Prom- I thought I might take just a few that I was seeking. ise to return calls, promise to do some- minutes and talk about the fact that Mr. SARBANES. Senator NUNN would thing to consider a proposition by the the situation that we are in today is also seek 10 minutes. Why do we not State, did not do that. So not only are the result of both the President of the take a quorum call and then see if we the employees of the National Park United States and the Congress of the can work that out. Service in this case not working, but United States having certain rights Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I sug- neither are the concessionaires, neither and certain responsibilities. In a sense, gest the absence of a quorum. are those who had contracted to do it is a two-way street, not a one-way The PRESIDING OFFICER. The work, because the Department of Inte- street like everybody has been talking clerk will call the roll. rior did not, frankly, make the real ef- about, including the President, who The legislative clerk proceeded to fort to do anything about that. So used the words ‘‘cynical strategy’’ to call the roll. there has to be some responsibility as- talk about the Republican Congress, al- Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I ask signed there in terms of doing what we beit he chose to say it was the Repub- unanimous consent that the order for said we would do. lican House rather than both of us. the quorum call be rescinded. Second, Mr. President, it seems to ‘‘Cynical strategy’’ seemed to indicate The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without me that those who are doing the nego- that the entire blame for where we are objection, it is so ordered. tiating, if they really wanted to find a today should be borne by the U.S. Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I ask solution, if there was a real, honest-to- House Republicans, or a combination of unanimous consent to speak for 3 min- goodness effort on the part of the par- the House Republicans and the Senate utes. ties to find a solution, they could do Republicans. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there that. It is time to do that. Mr. President, and fellow Americans, objection? Frankly, I suggest that the three that is not true. Let me state what Re- Mr. SARBANES. Reserving the right principles sit down, the President, the publicans have done and what I per- to object. Could we have 3 minutes on majority leader, and the Speaker of the ceive that the President has not done this side, as well? We have been doing House—eliminate all the observers, that put us in this situation that we an equilibrium thing here all day. eliminate the staff—and come to some are in today. Before I begin that, I I amend the request to ask unani- agreement, come to the snubbing post would like very much to state once mous consent that this side of the aisle on what we ought to do. There is a lot again that I hope we can resolve the have 3 minutes. of leeway within this outline, and we issue of Federal employees who have The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there can do that. Mr. President, that is our not been paid and who have been rely- objection? job. ing upon their paychecks while they Without objection, it is so ordered. Our job is to find solutions. That is work without pay or relying upon them The Senator from Wyoming is recog- what we are here for. That is why we because we promise to pay them. I nized. are the trustees for the American peo- think we ought to solve that issue and f ple. Our job is to keep the Government solve it quickly. They are not respon- functioning in as effective way as we sible for the problem. THE NEED FOR A LIMITED know how. Our job is to make decisions Having said that, Republicans in CONTINUING RESOLUTION and to move forward. We have great op- both Houses produced a balanced budg- Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I have portunities to do that, great opportuni- et using real numbers and using the been in the chair listening for some ties in this place to do that. There are Congressional Budget Office estimates. time, and I wanted to make a couple of opportunities in the White House. We already did that. The President of observations. First of all, I agree thor- There is not much point in assigning the United States, in his capacity as oughly with Senator DOLE and the blame, but there is plenty to go the Chief Executive, chose to veto that. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 63 Had that been signed, obviously we gaged in a cynical strategy since June not just because Republicans have not would not be in this mess. of this year when they produced a sent bills to the President to fund Gov- I am not standing here saying the budget allegedly in balance that did ernment; the President bears some of President has no prerogative to veto not use the Congressional Budget Of- the blame, and I have elaborated that that. He vetoed it. Nonetheless, we had fice numbers and economics but used as best I could here today. It is a two- already passed many of the appropria- their own, concocted by their on econo- way street, and bantering around words tions bills, and the President got on mists, by their own OMB personnel, like cynicism, and a cynical strategy, television yesterday and enumerated a and have never to this day produced a deserves a response. Or it is not too whole series of things that were situa- balanced budget using the Congres- far-fetched to conclude that their tions where either people are suffering sional Budget Office numbers. That is a strategy in the White House has been a because we have not passed certain ap- strategy. It is a beautiful strategy. cynical strategy of rather significant propriations bills, or the Government Since the word ‘‘cynical’’ is battered proportions. cannot do certain things like issue around, it is a cynical strategy because I yield the floor. visas, so many foreigners cannot get in never to this day—while blaming Re- Mr. NUNN addressed the Chair. the country. And the President is criti- publicans for all kinds of things—never The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- cal of the Congress—in particular, the to this day has the President of the ator from Georgia. Republicans in the House—because he United States had to put a balanced Mr. SARBANES. Will the Senator says they are to blame for this. budget on the table. We are negotiating from Georgia yield me 30 seconds? Let me remind the American people with him and he still has never put one Mr. NUNN. I yield the 30 seconds. this is a two-way street. Had the Presi- on. He has not put it on in the negotia- Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I dent of the United States signed three tions. And I am breaching nothing think it is important at this point to bills which he vetoed—Commerce, there, everybody understands he has have printed in the RECORD a quote State, Justice; Interior appropriations; not. He did not when we asked him to, from Investor’s Business Daily, Novem- VA–HUD appropriations—many of the and he signed a continuing resolution ber 8 of 1995. long list and litany of things that have that said we would be bound by the Gingrich has said he would force the gov- gone wrong in America would not have Congressional Budget Office economics ernment to miss interest and principal pay- gone wrong. They would have been and numbers, and the conclusion on ments for the first time ever to force Demo- taken care of by these bills. that is that means the final agreement cratic Clinton’s administration to agree to his seven-year deficit reductions. Now, there are some who took to the will be judged that way, not that I floor this morning and said the Presi- have to produce one. Is that not inter- And a quote from Representative dent has this absolute right to veto but esting? SHERWOOD BOEHLERT, a quote from the Congress has no rights; they must re- So, to this date, no balanced budget Los Angeles Times of November 14: spond and either give him what he in 7 years using the CBO numbers has You have a group in our conference who wants or suffer the consequences of been produced by this White House, by could not care less if the government shuts partial closure of Government. Not so. this President, by his Cabinet. And down. . . . They will be cheering. No student of our Constitution is going they are now engaged in blaming this I thank the Senator. to tell you that. When he vetoes them, whole episode on Republicans. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- he bears some responsibility for At least it is a two-way street from ator from Georgia. vetoing them. We certainly have a re- here to Pennsylvania Avenue, and f sponsibility to say, well, if he vetoed when Presidents veto bills that fund BUDGET IMPASSE AND CENTERS them, try something else and see if we Government, they take a bit of the re- FOR DISEASE CONTROL can get through this. sponsibility of what will happen if Con- I understand that is being tried and gress chooses not to fund some of Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I have some targeted appropriations are being those. After all, I do not advocate this, made it clear in previous remarks and worked on. I hope it works. I hope the but the truth of the matter is the Con- other public statements that I oppose President understands the next time stitution is eminently clear. Congress shutting down portions of the Federal we send him something that is targeted has the purse strings of the U.S. Gov- Government as a tactic in the budget that he does not have the absolute ernment. We decide how to spend the debate. I have supported the continu- right to veto them and then claim it is taxpayers’ money, and that is not a ing resolutions that would restore our responsibility because the Govern- shared responsibility, I regret to say. funding for full Government operations ment is closed. We have a right to That is a singular responsibility, and as we continue to move toward the ob- stand up and say, ‘‘Mr. President, these we have been choosing not to fund jective of a balanced budget. are tough times. We do not agree on a what the President wants. I applaud the leadership of Senator lot of things, but you do not have the We are also trying to get a balanced DOLE, Senator DASCHLE, and others in absolute immunity to veto bills and budget, which the President either does this body who have concluded that the blame us because the Government is not want or wants something different current situation is artificially cre- closed.’’ on. These are difficult political and ated, it is unnecessary and is a waste- You might have to look at the next philosophical times. What is at stake is ful burden on Federal workers and on Interior bill. Mr. President, there was big. For some of us what is at stake is the taxpayers they serve. not very much money involved in that whether future generations have to pay Mr. President, I recall here over the Interior bill. Frankly, you got some for our bills or whether we will pay for last 20 years, several debates on holi- bad advice on the Interior bill, yet you them ourselves. days, whether we ought to add another get up and talk about cynicism when So, whenever we have stories about holiday to the overall holidays the most of those U.S. monuments, the things going wrong because Govern- Federal Government observes. I re- museums, would have all been opened ment is closed, none of us like that. member people totaling up the amount if you had signed that bill. You look at But the big reason for all this, it all of money it costs to have one holiday your list, Mr. President, of why you ve- starts because Republicans have come and projecting that over 20 years and toed it—pretty flimsy stuff. If you have to the conclusion that we want to live talking about the astounding cost some responsibility in this, then the up to our commitment to use real num- when you pay people for a holiday. If public ought to look at why you vetoed bers, no phony numbers, use Congres- anyone stops and thinks about what we them and what were your reasons. sional Budget Office numbers and are doing now, I believe we are about Let me also suggest that the Presi- produce significant change in Govern- on day No. 20—there may be a few more dent used some very, very strained— ment so as to produce a balanced budg- days in that counting the previous strained—words when he spoke of cyni- et. shutdown—we really have had 20 to 25 cal strategy. I am working in good So I wish I could have done this ear- additional holidays this year where the faith with this President to try to get lier in the day, but I think I have made taxpayers of this country are paying a balanced budget, but I believe he and my case. I think I have made my case for people who want to work but who his entire administration have been en- that the reason we are in this mess is are not allowed to work, but they are S 64 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 going to be paid. And that is, to me, a sionals. Some even risk their lives to equal stake in returning that innocent real paradox, as to how you possibly investigate outbreaks of unknown, victim without being harmed? If it is can start off a quest to save $1.2 tril- sometimes even deadly diseases. These not leverage, then why do it? If it is le- lion over 7 years by declaring over 20 people are protecting the Nation’s verage, that means that the Congress paid holidays for workers. health and they are anxious to return does not have an interest in the work- And then, it is not only the workers to their jobs. ers and does not have an interest in the themselves—it is unfair to them be- In addition, the CDC personnel who people who are being affected in this cause they want to work, they are not are not at work, who would otherwise country, and indeed abroad. getting paid now, and that is a hard- be there, they would be providing criti- Mr. President, I do not understand ship—but also it is terribly unfair to cal funding for technical assistance to any logic behind the House Repub- literally hundreds of thousands and State and local programs for sexually licans’ position. And I again am grati- growing to be millions of Americans transmitted diseases, TB, HIV, child- fied that the leadership of the Senate who are suffering because of this shut- hood immunization, environmental on both sides of the aisle recognize down. health, national and international that this is counterproductive, and rec- Mr. President, there are many exam- chronic and infectious disease preven- ognize that the wrong people are being ples of the harm being done by the tion, breast and cervical cancer. We all held hostage in this high-level game of shutdown. One example which has not need to recognize they are not on the Russian roulette. drawn much attention is the fact that job. Mr. President, one closing thought the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Mr. President, diseases, viruses, bac- again in response to the thoughts and Prevention, the CDC in Atlanta, terial infections, and cancers do not voiced by my good friend from New GA, is virtually shut down. Today is stop because of a Government furlough Mexico, Senator DOMENICI. the 50th year of operation of the Com- or a partisan political and budget de- This effort to get the budget under municable Disease Center, and it is ef- bate. control is indeed a two-way street. As fectively closed. Except for a skeleton CDC grants to State health agencies I think we have set forth in the Chafee staff, no personnel are available to ful- to fund prevention programs that are group composed of about 10 Democrats fill the functions of the CDC. fundamental to saving lives and main- and about 10 Republicans, there is no This is bound to have an impact on taining the health of our population reason the parties cannot come to- the health and safety of the American are also being affected adversely. Pro- gether. It is not easy. It is not some- people and, indeed, citizens around the grams in 20 States for rape prevention thing that can be done in an or hour or world. The workers at the CDC are the are in danger, and funds for staffing two hours but over a 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-day same Federal workers who pinpointed hotlines for public health emergencies, period should be able to be done. I do not think there is any question the cause of Legionnaire’s disease and such as violence, STDs, and HIV, may about the responsibility of keeping the toxic shock syndrome. These are the halt operations. All of this is in great Government closed. That is a tactical same men and women who risked their risk. decision made by House Republicans. lives to investigate the recent out- We cannot afford to wait to open the But all of us are involved in the effort break of ebola and track the course of doors at the CDC. The health of the Na- to try to get the budget under control. influenza, AIDS, and TB across the Na- tion and the world could be at stake. It is very clear what has to be done. tion and indeed the world. Their job is I urge our colleagues in the House to The administration and Democrats to investigate, to define, to monitor think again about the tactics they are have to be willing to save more on enti- and to prevent disease—to get out in using. They are trying to get the budg- tlements, to restrain the growth of en- front of emerging infectious diseases, et balanced, and that is a goal that all titlements more than has thus far been food and waterborne diseases, res- of us should work toward. And I hope indicated. Republicans have to be will- piratory inspections, birth defects, lead we can achieve that. But the tactics ing to come down some on what they poisoning, air pollution, radiation, and being used are totally counter- are doing in terms of the cuts in Medi- other environmental health emer- productive to the taxpayers and to the care and Medicaid which are too se- gencies. country and to the health of our citi- vere. That is very apparent. The problem in this area is you do zens. We must not continue to hold It is also apparent that both the Re- not know it is an emergency if you are hostage the health and safety of Amer- publicans and the White House need to not out in front of it before it is too ican citizens who are paying for a serv- take another thorough look at tax late. We will be lucky if we get by with ice that is not being rendered. cuts. It is to me almost unbelievable this shutdown and closedown of the f that we can be starting a quest to get CDC without having some serious prob- the budget under control by declaring a lem and erosion in the health of the THE BUDGET DILEMMA—A TWO- WAY STREET very large dividend at the very begin- American people. ning before we have implemented any- In some cases, the CDC implements Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, my friend thing. That is what large tax cuts do. control measures during a critical time from New Mexico talked about the So I am hoping that the tax cuts will when minutes and even seconds count. rights of the Congress regarding the come down, and that the Republicans Rarely a week passes by without the purse strings, and the rights of the will agree to that. CDC directing the Nation’s attention President regarding the veto. And he I am hoping that those of us on the to important new research findings on emphasized that this is a two-way Democratic side will recognize that we public health issues. At this point, we street. I agree that the budget di- have to restrain the entitlement do not know what public health crisis lemma, the budget challenge, the effort growth. That is the heart of what has will emerge in 1996. With a CDC shut- to balance the 7-year budget, is indeed to be done. It is apparent for all of us down, we do not know what might be a two-way street. The American people to see. There are a lot of complexities happening right now. What we do know should hold all of us accountable for in doing it. But we will have to make is that the CDC plays a critical role in that. those movements. watching for signs and sustaining so- But this continuing tactic to keep In the final analysis, there is a right phisticated surveillance and monitor- the Government closed down is not a of the President to veto, and there is a ing communications with medical two-way street. There are a group of right of Congress not to appropriate. health officers in our Nation and people who believe—I think erro- There also is a right of the American throughout the world. We do not know neously so—that it gives them lever- people to say, ‘‘We have had enough; a the impact of the Government shut- age. In effect they are saying that the plague on both your houses. We send down on the health of the U.S. citizens. President should care more about the people to Washington to be able to We may not know it until it is too late. health of the American people, about reach reasonable compromises to gov- Like other Federal employees, the the workers out there, than the Con- ern this Nation effectively and both po- people in CDC are deeply dedicated, gress does. Otherwise, why is it lever- litical parties are failing at that task.’’ hard-working persons, scientists, phy- age? Is it leverage for you to hold At some point the American people sicians, and public health profes- somebody hostage if both have an are going to come to that conclusion, January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 65 and they are going to come to the con- by kamikaze suicide planes, and he was ORDER OF PROCEDURE clusion that both parties are to blame. awarded the Silver Star for rescuing Mr. LEAHY addressed the Chair. I hope everyone recognizes that be- sailors trapped in a compartment by The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- cause that day, if it has not already ar- smoke and fire resulting from the at- ator from Vermont. rived, is fast approaching. tack. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, there is a I believe it is up to all of us to put After the war, he served in the office unanimous-consent agreement, as I un- aside some of the harsh and unreason- of the Chief of Naval Operations, where derstand it, to recess subject to the able rhetoric and some of the incivility he produced an influential report em- call of the Chair. I wonder if I could that has gone into this debate and to phasizing the vital role of the Navy in ask unanimous consent that I might be recognize we all have an obligation to the post-war national security estab- heard for not more than 3 minutes. the American people and to our chil- lishment. Although the inter-service The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there dren and grandchildren to get this Na- rivalries of the period nearly cost him objection? The Chair hears none, and it tion’s fiscal house in order and to do it promotion to the grade of admiral, is so ordered. The Senator from Ver- in a responsible way, a way that will President Truman recognized his skills mont is recognized for up to 3 minutes. not be looked back on in a year or two and character and he was promoted. Mr. LEAHY. I thank the distin- During the Korean war, Admiral as an absolute march of folly but a way guished Presiding Officer. Burke served as commander of a cruis- that is fair and effective for the Amer- He, like I, was among the skeleton er division and as a member of the ican people. crew here during the Christmas and Military Armistice Commission. In f New Year’s time as we were trying to 1955, he was appointed by President Ei- move things along, and I know he has TRIBUTE TO ADM. ARLEIGH A. senhower and confirmed by the Senate had more than enough time to sit in BURKE as Chief of Naval Operations, a position that chair and I hate to add to it. Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, today a he filled for an unprecedented three grateful Nation pays its final tribute to terms. He played a key role in the de- f a true patriot and hero, Adm. Arleigh velopment of antisubmarine tech- REFUSING MY PAY DURING THE A. Burke, who died on Monday at the nology, the Polaris submarine, and GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN age of 94. strengthening allied navies. Admiral Burke will be buried on the President Kennedy offered him the Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, tomor- grounds of the Naval Academy in An- opportunity to serve a fourth term as row, like other Members of Congress, I napolis, where he graduated in 1923. His CNO, but Admiral Burke declined so will receive a paycheck for the last 2 service to the Nation will serve as a that the Navy could have younger lead- weeks. In good conscience, however, I model to Academy graduates as well as ership. After retiring from the Navy, cannot use this money while thousands all members of the Armed Forces for he helped to establish and lead the Cen- of Federal Government employees are generations to come. ter for Strategic and International denied their paychecks because Con- Admiral Burke said he was attracted Studies, which has provided numerous gress refuses to reopen the Govern- to the Navy because, in his words, the influential studies on national security ment. Until this Government shutdown rules were ‘‘strict, known and ob- matters. He also served as president of ends, I will be putting the amount of served.’’ His adherence to the rules was the Capital Area Council of the Boy my paycheck into escrow. a matter of personal honor, not bureau- Scouts of America. In January 1977, As a matter of principle, Members of cratic timidity. When it came to strat- Admiral Burke was awarded the Na- Congress should be treated the same as egy and tactics, he was a bold innova- tion’s highest civilian award, the all Federal employees. I work for the tor. During World War II, he initiated Medal of Freedom, by President Ford. people of Vermont, including the hard- dramatic changes in naval doctrine, de- The Navy’s Arleigh Burke class is working Federal workers who are being veloping and implementing tactics re- named in his honor. When the lead punished by this Government shut- lying on the speed and maneuverability ship, the Arleigh Burke, was commis- down. If the Federal workers in my to destroyers armed with torpedoes to sioned in 1991, he gave the crew a sim- home State cannot receive a paycheck, undertake offensive operations. ple, direct message reflecting his belief then I will not receive a paycheck. Admiral Burke’s Destroyer Squadron in providing the Navy with the best I am a cosponsor and strong sup- 23, known as the ‘‘Little Beavers’’ com- equipment and hard training: ‘‘This porter of Senator BOXER’s no budget-no piled an outstanding combat record in ship is built to fight,’’ he said. ‘‘You’d pay bill which would stop the pay of the Pacific in 1943, which earned him better know how.’’ It is most fitting Members of Congress during a Govern- the Distinguished Service Medal, the that the crew of the lead ship, the ment shutdown. The Senate has passed Navy Cross, and the Legion of Merit. Arleigh Burke, will be present to honor this legislation three separate times, During the assaults on Bougainville him today. but the leadership of the House of Rep- and Buka in the Solomon Islands, he The current Chief of Naval Oper- resentatives refuses to bring the bill to made two dramatic high speed runs, ations, Adm. Mike Boorda, summed up a vote. I would also note that the Sen- crippling Japanese airfields and sink- Admiral Burke’s career when he said: ate has passed legislation to put people ing a large number of Japanese vessels. ‘‘Admiral Arleigh Burke defined what back to work. The distinguished major- Reflecting the speed and daring of it means to be a naval officer: relent- ity leader, Senator DOLE, introduced a these maneuvers, Adm. William F. Hal- less in combat, resourceful in com- continuing resolution which passed to sey gave him the nickname ‘‘Thirty- mand and revered by his crews. He was that effect. But that has been rejected One Knot Burke’’ after Burke sent a a sailor’s sailor.’’ by the House of Representatives. message to American transports an- I wish to express my condolences to I urge the House Speaker and my nouncing: ‘‘Stand aside! Stand aside! his wife of 72 years, Roberta ‘‘Bobbie’’ other colleagues in the House and Sen- I’m coming through at 31 knots.’’ A Gorsuch Burke, and to express my ap- ate to also give up their paychecks Presidential Unit Citation praised the preciation for his devoted service to until Congress ends this foolish Gov- squadron’s ‘‘daring defiance of repeated our Nation. ernment shutdown. Speaker GINGRICH attacks by hostile groups’’ and its at- I think we can indeed say—all of us and the House Republicans are all ac- tacks on the ‘‘enemy’s strongly for- can say—that he followed military af- cepting their pay while Federal work- tified shores to carry out sustained fairs, and that Admiral Burke, in Ad- ers are working without pay or forced bombardments against Japanese coast- miral Boorda’s words indeed ‘‘* * * de- to stay home without pay. In fact, at al defenses and render effective cover fined what it means to be a naval offi- least one Member of the other body and fire support for * * * major inva- cer: relentless in combat, resourceful said he would accept his pay ‘‘because sion operations * * *.’’ in command and revered by his crews.’’ he is in the Constitution,’’ although I Subsequently he helped plan the in- He was, indeed, ‘‘a sailor’s sailor.’’ do not find his name in my copy of the vasions of Iwo Jima, Guam, the Mari- Mr. President, I thank my colleagues Constitution. I believe it is the height anas, and Okinawa. At Okinawa, the for the time, and I will yield back any of arrogance for them to accept it. In ship on which he was serving was hit I have. fact, they even accepted travel money S 66 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 from the taxpayers to go home for a Ms. Goetz, one of its reading clerks, an- to the House of Representatives, in Christmas vacation. nounced that the House proceeded to which it originated; the said bill did If the Speaker and his followers reconsider the bill (H.R. 1530) to au- not pass, two-thirds of the House of would also give up their pay as I am, I thorize appropriations for fiscal year Representatives not agreeing to pass believe the House would quickly vote 1996 for military activities of the De- the same. to reopen the Government. Maybe if partment of Defense, for military con- f they went without pay for a while, struction, and for defense activities of EXECUTIVE AND OTHER they would find out what it is like the Department of Energy, to prescribe COMMUNICATIONS when you are working but not getting personnel strengths for such fiscal year paid. They would learn that the bills for the Armed Forces, and for other The following communications were keep coming even though the pay- purposes, returned by the President of laid before the Senate, together with checks do not, which is what thousands the United States with his objections, accompanying papers, reports, and doc- of Federal workers in Vermont and to the House of Representatives, in uments, which were referred as indi- throughout the country are now find- which it originated; the said bill did cated: ing out. not pass, two-thirds of the House of EC–1764. A communication from the Direc- My family is no different than any of tor of the Office of Administration, the Exec- Representatives not agreeing to pass utive Office of the President, transmitting, the other hundreds of Vermont families the same. pursuant to law, the personnel report for fis- that are going to miss that paycheck The message also announced the cal year 1995; to the Committee on Govern- because of this shutdown. I will not House proceeded to reconsider the bill mental Affairs. enjoy my pay if they cannot enjoy (H.R. 2076) making appropriations for EC–1765. A communication from the Direc- theirs. the Departments of Commerce, Justice, tor of Commissioned Personnel, Department Mr. President, I yield the floor. of Health and Human Services, transmitting, and State, the Judiciary, and related pursuant to law, the report on the Public f agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep- Health Service Commissioned Corps Retire- RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL OF tember 30, 1996, and for other purposes, ment System; to the Committee on Govern- THE CHAIR returned by the President of the United mental Affairs. States with his objections, to the EC–1766. A communication from the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under House of Representatives, in which it Commmissioner of the Office of Social Secu- the previous order, the Senate will now rity, transmitting, pursuant to law, the originated; the said bill did not pass, accountibility report for fiscal year 1995; to stand in recess subject to the call of two-thirds of the House of Representa- the Chair. the Committee on Governmental Affairs. tives not agreeing to pass the same. EC–1767. A communication from the Thereupon, the Senate, at 2:43 p.m. The message further announced that Commisssioner of the Office of Social Secu- took a recess subject to the call of the the House has passed the following rity, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Chair. joint resolution, in which it requests semiannual report of the Office of the In- The Senate reassembled at 5:47 p.m. the concurrence of the Senate: spector General for the period April 1 when called to order by the Presiding through September 30, 1995; to the Commit- H.J. Res. 153. Joint resolution making fur- Officer (Mr. BOND). tee on Governmental Affairs. ther continuing appropriations for the fiscal EC–1768. A communication from the Sec- f year 1996, and for other purposes. retary of Transportation, transmitting, pur- NOMINATION JOINTLY REFERRED suant to law, the annual report on the valu- TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND At 1:59 p.m., a message from the ation of the U.S. Coast Guard Military Re- House of Representatives, delivered by tirement System for fiscal year 1994; to the COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUS- Committee on Governmental Affairs. ING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS Mr. Hays, one of its reading clerks, an- nounced that the House agrees to the EC–1769. A communication from the Sec- retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unan- amendments of the Senate to the bill imous consent that the nomination of ant to law, a notice relative to the Civil (H.R. 2029) to amend the Farm Credit Service Retirement and Disability Fund; to Stuart E. Eizenstat, of Maryland, to be Act of 1971 to provide regulatory relief, the Committee on Governmental Affairs. Under Secretary of Commerce for and for other purposes, with an amend- EC–1770. A communication from the Sec- International Trade, received on Janu- ment, in which it requests the concur- retary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, ary 4, 1996, be jointly referred to the rence of the Senate. pursuant to law, the semiannual report of the Inspector General for the period April 1 Committee on Finance and the Com- f mittee on Banking, Housing, and through September 30, 1995; to the Commit- tee on Governmental Affairs. Urban Affairs. MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without RECEIVED DURING RECESS f objection, it is so ordered. Under the authority of the order of INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND f the Senate of January 4, 1995, the Sec- JOINT RESOLUTIONS MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT retary of the Senate, on January 4, The following bills and joint resolu- 1996, during the recess of the Senate, tions were introduced, read the first Messages from the President of the received a message from the House of and second time by unanimous con- United States were communicated to Representatives announcing that the sent, and referred as indicated: the Senate by Mr. Thomas, one of his Speaker has signed the following en- secretaries. By Mr. MOYNIHAN: rolled bills and joint resolution: S.J. Res. 46. A joint resolution making fur- f H.R. 1925. An act to amend the Trademark ther continuing appropriations for the fiscal EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED Act of 1946 to make certain revisions relat- year 1996 for the operations of the Passport ing to the protection of famous marks. Office of the Department of State; to the As in executive session the Presiding H.R. 2203. An act to reauthorize the tied Committee on Appropriations. Officer laid before the Senate messages aid credit program of the Export-Import f from the President of the United Bank of the United States, and to allow the STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED States submitting one nomination Export-Import Bank to conduct a dem- which was jointly referred to the Com- onstration project. BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS mittee on Banking, Housing, and H.J. Res. 153. Joint resolution making fur- By Mr. MOYNIHAN: Urban Affairs and to the Committee on ther continuing appropriations for the fiscal S.J. Res. 46. A joint resolution mak- Finance. year 1996, and for other purposes. ing further continuing appropriations (The nomination received today is The message also announced that the for the fiscal year 1996 for the oper- printed at the end of the Senate pro- House proceeded to reconsider the bill ations of the Passport Office of the De- ceedings.) (H.R. 1977) making appropriations for partment of State; to the Committee f the Department of the Interior and re- on Appropriations. lated agencies for the fiscal year end- PASSPORT OFFICE CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE ing September 30, 1996, and for other Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, we At 11:03 a.m., a message from the purposes, returned by the President of find ourselves in the 20th day of an un- House of Representatives, delivered by the United States with his objections, tenable situation. Large parts of the January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 67 Federal Government are closed. Spend- who rely on Government services, and mocracy. As a powerful American sym- ing authority is suspended for 9 Cabi- discourages Federal workers. Clearly bol, it is the jewel of the National Park net departments and 38 agencies, com- we have entered an Orwellian realm in System. Like all other units of the Na- missions, and boards, which have re- which employees are paid not to work tional Park System, Mount Rushmore sponded by closing virtually all func- so that negotiations to save money can was forced to close as part of the Gov- tions. continue. ernment shutdown on December 15, Prior to 1982, the Federal Govern- The Founders of our Nation were as- 1995. ment had never closed. This is now the tute students of government. They However, thanks to the extraor- 12th closing in 14 years. Recall that the searched history to analyze the dinary dedication of one man, Mount British arrived in Washington in 1814. strengths and weaknesses of various Rushmore will remain illuminated for They burnt the White House. They political systems as they debated and all to see during this dark period pre- burnt the Capitol. We still did not close later formed our own Government. ceding fiscal responsibility. Mr. Art down the Federal Government. In the They perceived how government power Oakes has graciously donated funds to 1930’s, in the midst of the worst depres- is derived from the consent of the gov- ensure that the monument is able to sion we have ever had, we kept the erned. They perceived how government remain lit for the more than 2 million Federal Government open. We now power is derived from the consent of visitors it receives each year. have an army in the Balkans. They de- the governed. In the Declaration of I share with all Americans the frus- serve a better example. Independence they reveal their in- tration that the Federal Government One critical service forced to close is sights: remains partially shut down. It is clear the Passport Office of the Department We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that Americans want a balanced budg- of State. Last night, the Senate passed that all Men are created equal, that they are et and are willing to shoulder the bur- a continuing resolution attached to endowed by their Creator with certain den to get it done. H.R. 1643 and the majority leader’s unalienable Rights, that among these are Mr. Oakes has shown us just how back-to-work bill, S. 1508. Both of these Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. dedicated Americans are to a balanced measures would reopen our passport of- That to secure these Rights, Governments budget. He is willing to give up his own fices. But, apparently, the House may are instituted among Men, deriving their hard-earned money to help Mount just Powers from the Consent of the Gov- balk at approving these eminently rea- erned, that whenever any Form of Govern- Rushmore through this shutdown cri- sonable and logical measures. Accord- ment becomes destructive of these Ends, it is sis. He recognizes that Mount Rush- ingly, I rise to introduce legislation to the Right of the People to alter or to abolish more is not just a park, but a symbol reopen the Passport Office. Last year it, and to institute new Government, . . . of what America represents—both to 5.3 million Americans applied for pass- Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Govern- other Americans and to tourists from ports. This year the agency expects a ments long established should not be overseas. record 5.6 million applications. Today, changed for light and transient Causes; Today, my wife Harriet and I would the Washington Post reports that the Governance is a covenant between like to show our support for Mr. Oakes’ Government closing has created a the people and their leaders. Perhaps efforts by donating $200 for continuing backlog of 200,000 passport applica- not since secession has that covenant the nightly illumination of the Mount tions. This is no way to begin a record- been so trampled. The closing of the Rushmore monument. breaking year at the Passport Office. Government ought never have begun. As many of you may know, Mount Speaking of the backlog of passport Now we should end it without further Rushmore was designed in 1927 by applications is perhaps too callous. All delay. At a minimum, we should reopen Gutzon Borglum, the son of Danish im- of these applications were submitted our passport offices. migrants. The monument is a shrine of by citizens who expect that the Federal f American Presidential heroes: George Government will provide them with a Washington, Father of the Nation; ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS passport so they can travel to other Thomas Jefferson, author of the Dec- countries to conduct business, study, S. 912 laration of Independence; Theodore visit family and friends, and vacation. At the request of Mr. KOHL, the name Roosevelt, conservationist and Two hundred and fifty constituents of the Senator from West Virginia [Mr. trustbuster; and Abraham Lincoln, the have contacted my office seeking as- ROCKEFELLER] was added as a cospon- Great Emancipator and preserver of sistance; however, the passport office sor of S. 912, a bill to amend the Inter- the Union. will only issue passports in cases con- nal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect More than 65 years later, Mount sidered life or death emergencies. One to the eligibility of veterans for mort- Rushmore is still one of the most pow- man was unable to attend his daugh- gage revenue bond financing, and for erful symbols of America. It represents ter’s wedding in London because his other purposes. the freedom of democracy, the melting passport had expired and could not be S. 1453 pot country which offers the hope of a renewed. Another who is employed At the request of Mr. BURNS, the better life. Yet how can we continue to abroad fears losing his job if he cannot name of the Senator from Texas [Mrs. promise a better life if our President get his passport renewed. For years, we HUTCHISON] was added as a cosponsor of refuses to agree on a plan to balance badgered the Soviet Union to grant S. 1453, a bill to prohibit the regulation the budget? more passports to its citizens. Now we by the Secretary of Health and Human We need a balanced budget. The are denying them to our own. Services and the Commissioner of Food American people want and deserve an Article 12 of the International Cov- and Drugs of any activities of sponsors end to shamelessly wasteful spending enant on Civil and Political Rights, or sponsorship programs connected programs. Washington must operate ratified by the U.S. Senate on April 2, with, or any advertising used or pur- under a budget where we live within 1992, recognizes that ‘‘Everyone shall chased by, the Professional Rodeo Cow- our means—as people in my home be free to leave any country, including boy Association, its agents or affili- State of South Dakota do every day. his own.’’ This is a binding inter- ates, or any other professional rodeo I feel passionately that we must give national obligation of the United association, and for other purposes. the dream of America—represented by Mount Rushmore—back to our chil- States, yet we have now taken action f which violates that covenant. dren. We can do that only if Bill Clin- A 1- or 2-day delay might be consid- ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ton agrees on a balanced budget. I want ered a nuisance. For this to continue the National Park Service and the rest for 3 weeks leads to incalculable waste, of the Federal Government back at as people are forced to cancel plans and THE ROAD TO MOUNT RUSHMORE work and fully functioning. This will seek refunds for reservations. This is IS A BALANCED BUDGET happen if Bill Clinton agrees on a bal- not just. Closing passport offices and ∑ Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, anced budget. It is that simple. Bill other large swaths of the Federal Gov- Mount Rushmore, set in the heart of Clinton should stop stalling and start ernment erodes the confidence of all the Black Hills National Forest, was leading. He should support our goal of Americans, disrupts the lives of those created as a shrine to America’s de- a balanced budget.∑ S 68 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 CONGRATULATIONS TO continue working with its members legend in Baltimore. And he has become, as CONGRESSMAN KWEISI MFUME and new leader in the continuing strug- described by Baltimore Jewish Council Exec- utive Director Arthur C. Abramson ‘‘a strong ∑ Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I am gle for an America which provides op- portunity and fairness for all its citi- and supportive friend of the Jewish commu- most pleased to join with the citizens nity.’’ (See ‘‘A Friend, In Deed,’’ on Page 22.) of Baltimore and Maryland in express- zens. I ask to have printed in the His tenure as chair of the Congressional ing warmest congratulations to Con- RECORD several articles from the Balti- Black Caucus was not without controversy; gressman KWEISI MFUME upon his ap- more Afro-American, the Baltimore it was Rep. Mfume, after all, who suggested pointment as president and chief exec- Jewish Times, the Baltimore Sun, the a ‘‘covenant’’ between the influential con- utive of the NAACP. Those of us privi- New York Times, and the Washington gressional group and Nation of Islam leader leged to have worked closely with Con- Post describing the achievements and Louis Farrakhan. But he also helped give the caucus a new prominence and ability to help gressman MFUME are convinced that life of this extraordinary man and the shape the national agenda. the NAACP, the African-American great challenges which lie ahead for These are discouraging times in Congress— community, and all Americans of good- him. for Democrats and black legislators, in par- will will be well served by this appoint- The articles follow: ticular. The civil rights agenda is under as- ment. It is an inspired choice. [From the Baltimore Afro-American, Dec. 16, sault; important social programs that have KWEISI MFUME’s accomplishments 1995] helped keep stabilize cities despite growing compellingly demonstrate the quality, NEW HOPE AT THE NAACP poverty and growing despair are being deci- strength, and determination of his It borders on the ironic that after a nation- mated. character. Against great odds, Con- wide and lengthy search to find a new leader Rep. Mfume faced an extraordinary choice; gressman MFUME overcame what would for the much beleaguered NAACP, the right stay in a safe congressional seat, and fight be considered for most people insur- candidate—and some would say the perfect from within to head off the most sweeping candidate—came from the same city where Republican cuts—or work to rebuild an orga- mountable obstacles in shaping his life nization that was once the towering giant of and career. In his first elected office, the association has its headquarters—Balti- more. the civil rights movement, but which has he established an outstanding record failed to adjust to the harsh realities of the for public service as a member of the In selecting Rep. Kweisi Mfume as its President/CEO the NAACP—to use an apt de- 1990s. City Council of Baltimore. This was scription—has struck oil. Rarely has the Rep. Mfume’s decision for the latter re- followed by service in the U.S. House of naming of an individual to such high profile flects his deep commitment to his people and Representatives where as chair of the position been greeted with such an unani- to a nation that can no longer afford to turn Congressional Black Caucus, he led mous chorus of approval, from the President a blind eye to the agony of our cities. that group with exceptional effective- of the United States, to the man and woman Rep. Mfume, who has worked closely with Jewish leaders over the years, can provide ness and vision. in the street. If ever things were meant to be, then prob- the soul for a revitalized alliance that should It is very encouraging that the benefit both communities. NAACP Board of Trustees has called ably it was meant to be that Mr. Mfume would be called upon to resurrect the na- Kain Y’hee Ratzon, Rep. Mfume. upon Congressman MFUME’s leadership So may it be. at such a critical time in the history of tion’s oldest and largest civil rights organi- zation, and that he would respond at the cost [From the Washington Post] the organization and of the civil rights of giving up a seat in the U.S. Congress to struggle. He brings to this demanding which he could have been reelected as long A FIGHTER IN THE PUBLIC ARENA—IN MFUME, responsibility unique dimensions of as he wished. NAACP HIRES A DIRECTOR IT HOPES CAN perception and experience. His long- A more qualified candidate—and here we PUSH IT TO RECLAIM ITS HISTORIC LEADER- time grassroots involvement has are not simply talking about what appears SHIP equipped him with a special under- on paper but what’s inside—would be most (By Hamil R. Harris and Michael A. standing of needs of individuals and difficult to find. It is as if the man and the Fletcher) community groups, while his proven job were waiting for each other. In choosing Rep. Kweisi Mfume as its new and tested national leadership gives There are the challenges ahead for Mr. leader, the NAACP reached out to a former Mfume of eliminating the $3 million plus street fighter and seasoned politician to take him a unique knowledge of the reali- debt, rebuilding staff, redefining the role of ties and demands of the public and pri- on a daunting array of internal and external the NAACP, rebuilding bridges of under- challenges facing the historic civil rights or- vate sectors. These insights and experi- standing that his immediate predecessors de- ganization. ences will greatly benefit the NAACP. stroyed, and above all, restoring the faith of NAACP officials hope Mfume (D–Md.), who Congressman MFUME’s appointment people in the NAACP. was named president and chief executive of- further solidifies the historic and pro- This is a tall order, but we believe Mr. ficer Saturday, can bridge the divide be- ductive relationship between Balti- Mfume is the right person, in the right place, tween blacks and whites, battle the increas- more and the NAACP, whose national at the right time, to fill it. ingly powerful congressional conservatives headquarters is located in our city. He He can not do this however, unless the Af- and heal the internal divisions that have rican American people, who have always follows in the footsteps of other distin- crippled the organization in recent years. been the rock on which the NAACP stood, ‘‘The organization needed a jolt of elec- guished Baltimoreans who were critical rally now to its support. to civil rights progress: the late, great tricity, and he is exactly the man to give it Either through donations, or memberships, to them,’’ veteran civil rights activist Roger Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Mar- or a combination of both, it is imperative Wilkins said yesterday. His uncle, Roy Wil- shall, who led the relentless effort that all of us join Mr. Mfume in a grand and kins, headed the NAACP for years. which finally brought down the legal glorious campaign to set matters right at Mfume ‘‘is a man who understands the structure of segregation; Clarence the NAACP. streets. He also has operated in the highest Mitchell, Jr., the NAACP’s chief Wash- Without it, we would indeed be in dire policy spheres in the United States. He is straits. ington lobbyist, whose legislative ge- smart, he is tough, and he has integrity,’’ Wilkins said. For Mfume, the job offers a nius was critical to the passage of [From the Baltimore Jewish Times, Dec. 15, every landmark piece of civil rights chance to broaden his role as a national 1995] black leader by reaching out to a new gen- legislation and, Dr. Lilly Jackson and MFUME’S ADVANCEMENT eration of activists while reassuring the old Ms. Enolia MacMillan, two courageous Rep. Kweisi Mfume’s decision last week to guard of the civil rights establishment, who leaders of Maryland’s NAACP who in- leave Congress and assume the leadership of form the core of the NAACP’s support. He spired their counterparts throughout the National Association for the Advance- has pledged to work to recruit young people America. ment of Colored People is an important de- and others who have seen the NAACP, the Congressman MFUME’s presence will velopment for a black community that needs nation’s oldest and largest civil rights orga- be deeply missed in the Congress. But, strong and farsighted leadership to fight the nization, as elitist and increasingly irrele- like another esteemed colleague, unprecedented attack on the civil rights ad- vant. former Representative William Gray, vances of the past half-century now under- ‘‘The time is now for a new generation to now the President of the United Negro way in Washington. It also is welcome news join the NAACP,’’ Mfume, 47, said during his for a Jewish community that remains con- acceptance speech Saturday. ‘‘While we College Fund, he is continuing the cerned about the decay of our cities, and ris- value maturity and experience, we must struggle for justice and equality in a ing signs of black anti-Semitism. learn to cherish youth. . . . I reach out to newer arena. Rep. Mfume’s story—his rise from a life on the current generation and say to you in the I salute the NAACP for this out- the streets and the kinds of social problems clearest terms that it is all right to come standing appointment and pledge to that have become epidemic in our cities—is back home to the NAACP.’’ Baltimore January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 69 NAACP member Kobi Little, 24, welcomed The 47-year-old Baltimore congressman was from irresponsible street bum to respected Mfume’s comments. He is suing the organiza- nowhere on my list of candidates for the job; leader who, by the way, took the trouble to tion because youth members, ages 17 and I’d simply never thought of him in that con- build a relationship with his sons. younger, are barred from voting in branch nection. But as soon as I heard that he’d Which experience should guide his efforts and national elections. ‘‘I think it will mean been chosen, I could only think: Yes! to reach out to young blacks, as he has good things for the organization,’’ he said. Clearly, it’s a brilliant choice for the trou- vowed to do: the humiliations of racism or Mfume is in his fifth term representing bled organization as it wrestles with the dif- the power of decision? They may be equally Baltimore’s predominantly black 7th Con- ficulties of changing directions without los- authentic, but, as his own life teaches, they gressional District in the House. In 1992, he ing its fundamental character. Mfume is are not equally effective at producing. was elected and served for two years as young enough, savvy enough and ‘‘street’’ chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, enough to deal with the young people his [From the New York Times, Dec. 11, 1995] when it enjoyed the peak of its power work- predecessor, the Rev. Benjamin Chavis, tried MFUME: NOT JUST LEADER, A SAVIOR TO ing with a Democratic president and a Demo- to reach during his foreshortened tenure. As N.A.A.C.P. cratic majority in Congress. He plans to re- a fifth-term congressman, former chair of (By Steven A. Holmes) sign from the House and assume his new post the Congressional Black Caucus and widely WASHINGTON, December 10.—When Rep- Feb. 15. ‘‘We are at the crossroads of tremen- respected civic and political leader, he is ex- resentative Kweisi Mfume walked into a dous change in our nation,’’ Mfume said. perienced enough and solid enough to instill hotel conference room here to interview with ‘‘Despite the gains made by African Ameri- confidence in the rest of his potential con- the board of directors of the National Asso- cans, racism continues to divide our country stituency. ciation for the Advancement of Colored Peo- and polarize our people. We can stand by and Nor, now that I think of it, is it a bad ple on Saturday, the group broke out into watch in the comfort of our own cir- choice for Mfume himself. He may have been spontaneous applause. It was perhaps the cumstances, or we can step forward and dare close to the limit of his political influence first time in more than two years the full to lead.’’ and patience, given the country’s tightening board had found anything to cheer about. Mfume has scored his first victory by unit- purse strings and rightward movement. The For an organization mired in debt and in- ing the fractious NAACP board behind his se- NAACP leadership gives him a shot at lead- creasingly accused of being archaic and out lection, which was unopposed, despite some ership on a new, higher, more effective level. of touch, Mr. Mfume, who was named on Sat- board members’ previous plans to challenge But even brilliant choices are not guaran- urday as the N.A.A.C.P.’s president and chief the search committee’s candidate. The chal- teed success. If Mfume will permit a word of executive officer, is viewed by many within lenge ‘‘never materialized,’’ said board mem- caution from an admirer: the civil rights group as a savior. So much so ber Joe Madison, who was a finalist for the The NAACP is, in some ways, two organi- that the descriptions of him that flow from job. ‘‘I’m just ecstatic about the choice and zations—one devoted to a glorious past of some quarters lapse effortlessly into hyper- relieved that someone of the stature of the fighting Jim Crow, school segregation and bole. congressman would step up and take the laws calculated to limit black advancement; ‘‘In our new president we have the bril- job.’’ the other groping for relevancy at a time liance of Dubois, the eloquence of Martin Lu- Mfume said he plans to reach out to the when so many of black America’s problems ther King, the toughness of Thurgood Mar- NAACP’s historic allies in the corporate and (though arguably spawned by racism) are shall, the caring of Ms. Bethune and Harriet white communities. He also plans to make a perpetuated and exacerbated by our own in- Tubman and Sojourner Truth,’’ A. Leon ‘‘long list’’ of courtesy calls on national appropriate choices and behavior. Higginbotham, Jr., a retired Federal Judge black figures, including Nation of Islam Kweisi Mfume is also two men—the one ac- said, comparing Mr. Mfume to a pantheon of leader Louis Farrakhan. cepting the traditional view that racism is icons of the anti-slavery and civil rights Mfume’s selection won cautious praise our number one problem, the other bold movements. from Jewish activists who traditionally have enough to see the need for blacks to change While neither Mr. Mfume nor anyone else supported the NAACP but have been alarmed their behavior, no matter what white people could be such a giant, he clearly provides in recent years by its overtures to do or fail to do. skills, outlook, visibility and a personal Farrakhan, whose rhetoric has been de- Which Mfume is taking charge of the story that could help revive the ailing orga- nounced as antisemitic. NAACP? His acceptance speech of last Satur- nization. Abraham H. Foxman, national director of day offers a small clue. ‘‘We are at the cross- Born Frizzell Gray in Baltimore in 1948, the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, roads of tremendous change in our nation,’’ Mr. Mfume spent his early years under the hailed Mfume’s selection yesterday. He said, he said. ‘‘Despite the gains made by African hand of an abusive stepfather who, until Mr. ‘‘We need the NAACP to be strong and active Americans, racism continues to divide our Mfume’s mother divorced him, beat his wife and to be a major voice for civil rights, for country and polarize our people. We can and belittled his stepson. When Mr. Mfume unity, and to fight discrimination.’’ stand by and watch in the comfort of our was 16, his mother died of cancer, leaving But he added: ‘‘I will have a problem if he own circumstances, or we can step forward him feeling alone and abandoned. looks to Farrakhan for leadership. I hope and dare to lead.’’ For several years, Mr. Mfume went and believe he will not.’’ Born Frizzell Gray A guaranteed applause line, that. And yet through what he later called his ‘‘lost in West Baltimore, Mfume—in the words of I hear myself asking: Lead where? For if he years,’’ dropping out of high school, hanging poet Langston Hughes—didn’t ascend to is talking about leading a fight against rac- out on the tough streets of the city’s west power on a crystal staircase. He dropped out ism, I fear he is missing the boat. Racism side, where he was known by his nickname of of school and fathered five sons by four has not disappeared from American life; far Pee Wee, and fathering five children out of women by age 22. from it. But I really do believe that it is no wedlock by four different women. Gray hung out on street corners, got into longer the main barrier to black progress— ‘‘I came out of a disjointed family struc- fights and drifted between menial jobs. But particularly among those of us most in need ture,’’ Mr. Mfume said in a speech last year. he changed his life as radically as he changed of progress. Does Mfume? ‘‘I grew up in the worst possible conditions. his name. He said the name, which is of Afri- Like most of us, I suppose he is of two I became homeless after my mother’s death, can derivation, translates as ‘‘conquering minds. The recent settlement of cases in- hit the streets and dropped out of school, son of kings.’’ volving discrimination at Denny’s res- flirted with every temptation that was Mfume received a degree in urban planning taurants, the humiliation of two innocent around, became a teen parent before my from Morgan State University and became a black teenagers by security people at the time, felt left out and victimized.’’ talk show host on the college’s radio station. Eddie Bauer’s outlet in suburban Washing- But Mr. Mfume grabbed hold of his life. He Mfume championed issues of the poor and ton, the race killing of two civilians by earned a high school equivalency diploma, the disenfranchised and won a seat on the white supremacist soldiers from Fort Bragg, attended Morgan State University, a histori- Baltimore City Council in 1979. NAACP N.C.—all these things and more counsel vigi- cally black college in Baltimore, and later board member and civil rights activist Ju- lance against racism. Mfume understands gained a reputation as a disk jockey and lian Bond was on the search committee that that. radio talk show host. Along the way he took selected Mfume. Bond said that what is at But he understands something else: that a new name (pronounced Kwah-EEE-see stake now is the very survival of the lasting change must come from within. It Oom-FOO-may), which in a Ghanaian dialect NAACP—‘‘its future, its very existence.’’ wasn’t racism that made Mfume (then means ‘‘conquerer of kings.’’ known as Frizzell Gray) a violent, street- ‘‘It’s different,’’ Mr. Mfume once said of his [From the Washington Post, Dec. 15, 1995] running dropout who fathered five sons by name. ‘‘So is Zbigniew Brzezinski.’’ BIG CHOICE FOR KWEISI MFUME—AND THE three women—all ‘‘without benefit of cler- After seven years as a member of the Balti- NAACP gy.’’ And it wasn’t the defeat of racism that more City Council, Mr. Mfume was the sur- (By William Raspberry) helped him to turn his life around. prise victor of a 1986 Democratic Primary to Every now and then someone will make a He’s not sure precisely what it was. But he replace retiring Representative Parren J. choice that, however little you might have does know that once he made the decision to Mitchell. In the heavily Democratic district, anticipated it, immediately strikes you as get himself together, to make something of the win virtually guaranteed election to brilliant—even obvious. himself, he had lots of help and advice from Congress. He has been reelected four times, That’s my reaction to the NAACP’s selec- people who had it to give. There is some- often gaining more than 80 percent of the tion of Kweisi Mfume to be its new leader. thing deeply inspirational about his journey vote in the general election. S 70 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 As a Representative, Mr. Mfume made his tive committee and have the authority to ‘‘He’s serious. He’s thoughtful, He’s a con- mark as Chairman of the Congressional hire and fire staff, a power that had been sensus builder,’’ Rep. Mike Espy, a Mis- Black Caucus from 1992 to 1994, a time when stripped from the top executive. And to de- sissippi Democrat, said in December 1992, the number of blacks in the House shot up to note who will be in charge, his title will be when Mr. Mfume was elected chairman of the 40 from 26. president and chief executive officer, not ex- Black Caucus. With new-found strength because of its in- ecutive director. With his elevation to caucus chair and the creased size, the caucus under Mr. Mfume The need to symbolically change the posi- election of a Democratic president, Mr. flexed its muscles as never before. It point- tion back to president—something, although Mfume found his profile rising in Washing- edly chastized President Clinton for bowing small—was powerful in terms of what is said ton. President Clinton desperately needed to criticism and withdrawing Lani Guinier, a about the position,’’ he said in an interview. the votes of the 39-member Black Caucus to professor at the University of Pennsylvania One unknown question, however, is Mr. get his legislative agenda through Congress. Law School, as his nominee for Assistant At- Mfume’s administrative skills. As member of As head of the group, Mr. Mfume proved a torney General for Civil Rights. Congress, and before that, the Baltimore tough negotiator and a shrewd bargainer, The caucus also pressed Mr. Clinton to use City Council, Mr. Mfume has never had to often holding out for concessions from Mr. American troops to restore ousted Haitian run an organization as large as the Clinton on programs such as the tax credit President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power, N.A.A.C.P. But officials of the organization for the working poor. The man who once had one of the few groups to do so publicly for say they are not overly concerned. a popular radio talk show on Morgan State’s what was considered by many to be a hope- ‘‘If that becomes a problem, we could get WEAA now became a fixture on the nation- less cause. him a manager,’’ said one board member who ally televised Sunday TV talk shows. Mr. Mfume’s tenure as head of the caucus spoke on condition of anonymity. ‘‘Because The Black Caucus, under Mr. Mfume, pro- was not without its missteps. In 1992, he an- he brings so much else, if he’s weak there, we vided Mr. Clinton with critical votes for his gered Jews and some members of the Caucus could prop him up.’’ crime bill, despite deep-held opposition to when he declared that the group had entered death penalty provisions. into a ‘‘sacred covenant’’ with the Nation of [From the Baltimore Sun, Dec. 10, 1995] Mr. Mfume’s term as caucus chairman had Islam. MFUME TRANSFORMED HIMSELF its stormy moments. He made many of his In the face of criticism and in the wake of MATURING: AS HE PROGRESSED FROM THE BAL- more traditional colleagues uncomfortable an anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic and anti- TIMORE CITY COUNCIL TO THE U.S. CONGRESS, by reaching out to the Nation of Islam and white speech by one of Mr. Farrakhan’s KWEISI MFUME DEVELOPED INTO A POLISHED its chairman, Louis Farrakhan, who has a aides, Khalid Abdul Mohammed, Mr. Mfume CONSENSUS BUILDER history of making inflammatory remarks about Jews and other groups. disavowed any association with the group (By Tom Bowman and Karen Hosler) and spent much time mending fences with But after Republicans took control of Con- ‘‘We are going to change,’’ Rep. Kweisi gress this year, the Black Caucus members Jewish leaders in Baltimore. Mfume declared yesterday after being chosen As a five-term Representative from Balti- were mere voices in the wilderness. Because to head the NAACP. more, where the N.A.A.C.P. is based, Mr. the caucus members are among the most lib- He could have been talking about himself. eral in Congress, few found any common Mfume brings political acumen to the civil Kweisi Mfume, 47, began his political career rights group, the country’s oldest but one ground with the ruling Republicans. as a dashiki-clad political activist on the Mr. Mfume found himself in an unhappy whose political relevancy has been ques- Baltimore City Council. But when he arrived tioned in recent years. He has shown an abil- eclipse. Once surrounded by reporters every on Capitol Hill, he quickly transformed him- time he left the House floor, the Baltimore ity to raise money, a skill badly needed for self into a polished consensus builder. a group saddled with a $3.2 million debt. As Democrat could recently be seen ambling Battling Mayor Donald Schaefer and Coun- alone past the press-mobbed Republican a former Baltimore street tough who turned cil President Clarence H. ‘‘Du’’ Burns, he his life around, he also lends credibility to a leaders. first ran in 1979 on a campaign to ‘‘beat the No longer in the majority party, he would message of personal responsibility for black bosses,’’ advocating for the poor and the become the 20th House Democrat to leave or youths. powerless. announce plans to do so. Five others have ‘‘The time is now—right now—to restore After two terms on the council, he decided the financial, spiritual and political health switched to join the GOP. in 1986 to make a run for the seat of Rep. When Mr. Mfume assumed the leadership of this historic, American institution,’’ Mr. Parren J. Mitchell, a retiring civil rights role in the Black Caucus three years ago, Mr. Mfume said at a news conference following legend who served 16 years in the House. De- Espy offered words that would apply today the board’s decision. He added, ‘‘And my job feating a Republican, St. George I. B. Crosse as Mr. Mfume assumes the leadership of the is to provide the leadership that will make III, in a bitter contest for the 7th District NAACP. that happen.’’ seat, he embarked on a bridge-building ef- ‘‘He has a professional style, which we His career has been free of scandal, a stark fort, forging a relationship with Governor need,’’ Mr. Espy said in 1992. ‘‘It will be dif- contrast to the recent history of the Schaefer. ficult. I know he’s up to the job.’’ ∑ N.A.A.C.P. In the last two years, the organi- The dashikis gave way to finely tailored f zation has fired its executive director amid dark suits. The once-angry voice took on a charges of sexual discrimination and harass- measured and mellifluous cadence. ‘‘I’m the FDA REVIEW OF OLESTRA ment and replaced a board chairmen who was same fighter, but the arena has changed,’’ he Mr. GLENN. Mr. President, I rise to accused of financial improprieties. explained once. ‘‘Sometimes I will do it by ∑ With his handsome looks, smooth manner compromise, sometimes I will do it through comment on the decision currently be- and current girlfriend—an actress, Lynn confrontation.’’ fore the Food and Drug Administration Whitfield, who won an Emmy Award in 1991 He reached out to all his constituencies, regarding the Procter & Gamble Co.’s for her portrayal of Josephine Baker in a from Catonsville to West Baltimore to petition for its food additive, olestra. cable television movie—he brings a measure Charles Village to East Baltimore and Hamp- Olestra is a fat-free food additive in- of glamour to an organization sometimes den. Some white areas in the district had felt vented by the Procter & Gamble Co. seen as frumpy. snubbed by Mr. Mitchell. This synthetic cooking oil and the de- At his news conference on Saturday, Mr. The new congressman set up town meet- Mfume spoke of the need for the N.A.A.C.P. ings with his neighboring Democrat, Rep. cision by FDA are the subject of this to maintain a commitment to coalition poli- Benjamin L. Cardin, and followed his prede- week’s Time magazine cover story. tics with whites and others. In doing so, he cessor, Mr. Mitchell, to the House Banking, The scientific issues under review by appeared to be trying to assuage the con- Finance and Urban Affairs Committee. FDA are fascinating and I commend cerns of some whites and blacks who had But Mr. Mfume became more adept at deal- FDA for its management of the review been put off by the attempts by Benjamin F. ing with the opposition than was the often- by the Food Advisory Committee. Chavis Jr., the former executive director, to acerbic Mr. Mitchell. ‘‘Mfume’s style is, The Procter & Gamble Co. undertook align the organization with Mr. Farrakhan, ‘You’ll like me and respect me,’ ’’ Daniel P. its efforts to better understand fat in who preaches a black separatist ideology. Henson III, the city housing commissioner, the human body in the 1950’s and devel- ‘‘It is easier to accomplish things when said several years ago. ‘‘Parren’s style was, you maximize the number of people who you ‘You may not like me, but you’ll respect oped olestra in the 1960’s. In 1971, Proc- have working with you and working for me.’ ’’ ter & Gamble began the approval proc- you,’’ he said in an interview. On the Banking Committee, Mr. Mfume ess at FDA. As a condition of taking the job, Mr. matured into a skilled legislative craftsman. More than two decades later, olestra Mfume wrested concessions from the He was instrumental in saving programs has not yet been approved. Nobody is N.A.A.C.P. board, which since the mid-1980’s that aided minority businesses. And he em- faulting the FDA; approval of olestra has taken much power and control from the braced issues outside the traditional black has posed unique and unprecedented organization’s chief executive but has fallen agenda, from high-technology development scientific questions that had to be re- short in raising money and in debating and to business tax breaks. formulating policy. Within two years, he became a leader in searched. Accordingly, the FDA has ap- Rather than report to a 64-member board, the Congressional Black Caucus, which proached this unprecedented food addi- Mr.. Mfume will deal with a smaller execu- elected him one of two vice chairmen. tive with appropriate prudence, and January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 71 Procter & Gamble was required to in- OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS TRIBUTE TO PATTY CALLAGHAN, vent new protocols to test olestra’s IN WISCONSIN COLLEGIATE ATH- ACTION FOR EASTERN MON- safety for human consumption. LETICS TANA, GLENDIVE Regulatory review by the FDA is nec- Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I wish ∑ Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise ∑ essary to ensure the public health and today to recognize two outstanding ac- today to give tribute to one of eastern Montanan’s treasures, Patty safety. At the same time I believe that complishments in Wisconsin collegiate we should encourage innovation by Callaghan. Patty recently retired after athletics. Over the weekend of Decem- American industry. I believe that un- 20 years with Action for Eastern Mon- ber 9–10, 1995, two Wisconsin schools necessary delay in the approval of new tana. were crowned as national champions. products will have a negative impact Patty retired as executive director to On Saturday, December 9, the Univer- on the investment in research and de- attend Luther Seminary in St. Paul, sity of Wisconsin-La Crosse captured velopment. Without the FDA approval, MN. She hopes to return to eastern the NCAA Division III Football Cham- olestra cannot be manufactured for and Montana as a lay leader with rural pionship, by defeating Rowan, NJ, 36 to used by the Nation’s consumers. Proc- churches. 7 in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, held ter & Gamble has invested more than Montana needs more leaders like $200 million in the development of this in Salem, VA. Also finding success in Patty Callaghan. Rural Montana needs product and expects to invest many the Commonwealth of Virginia, the the love for and knowledge of our State more millions to construct manufac- University of Wisconsin claimed their that people like Patty have. turing facilities should olestra be ap- first NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Patty’s work with Action actually proved. Therefore, I am pleased that Title, downing Duke University, 2 to 0 led to her decision to choose the semi- the FDA has indicated that it will com- in Richmond. Both championships can nary. When funding cutbacks in the plete its decisionmaking process very be attributed to a team first attitude, programs that she administers forced soon. and a work ethic that is second-to- her to look to other resources, Patty none. Mr. President, I ask that the text of found the churches responding gener- my letter of December 13, 1995, to Com- Behind an uncompromising defense ously. She found the needs of rural missioner Kessler of the FDA be print- that allowed just 153 yards, including communities to be much the same as ed at the conclusion of my remarks. yielding only 4 yards during the 3d the need of rural congregations—en- quarter, and a balanced offensive at- ergy, leadership for change, account- U.S. SENATE, ability, respect, and compassion. Washington, DC, December 13, 1995. tack that amassed 451 yards, the UW- Patty has dealt with many family is- DAVID A. KESSLER, M.D., La Crosse Eagles earned their second Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administra- national title in 4 years. Although they sues that will serve her will in her new tion, Park Lawn Building, Rockville, MD. trailed Rowan early in the game, the life. She found the work at Action for DEAR MR. COMMISSIONER: I am writing in ‘‘never-say-die’’ Eagles went on to Eastern Montana rewarding and the regard to the food additive petition for score 36 unanswered points including Glendive community generous when a olestra, the non-calorie fat substitute. Be- an 85-yard scoring strike by senior All- need was identified. cause of olestra’s development by the Ohio American quarterback, and Division III In a recent tribute to Patty, family based Procter & Gamble Company, I have Player of the Year, Craig Kusick, that members, coworkers, friends, and many been interested in the product and its review seemed to decimate the valiant efforts others including Montana’s Governor by the FDA. I am pleased to hear that the Marc Racicot expressed their respect Food Advisory Committee has recommended of the Rowan defense. Inspired by their offensive counterparts, the unrelenting and appreciation for her life’s work. to the FDA that olestra meets the statutory I would also like to express my pro- standard of ‘‘reasonable certainty of no Eagle defense held Rowan scoreless for found respect and admiration for Patty harm.’’ the final three quarters, and gave UW- Callaghan and what she has done for I want to commend FDA for its manage- La Crosse the lead for good after tackle eastern Montana. Public service can ment of the Food Advisory Committee re- Mike Ivey stopped an overmatched bring out the best and worst in people. view process. It is my understanding that Rowan back for a safety. The cham- With Patty, her compassion and caring based upon an objective scientific process, no pionship marks the second Division III significant new safety issues were raised and has only deepened. Eastern Montana title for Eagle head coach Roger no new data raising concern were introduced. desperately needs this commitment to Harring and caps off his 27th season I further understand that the issues of label- its communities. ing statements and postmarketing surveil- with an undefeated campaign, 14–0. Thank you, Patty. We wish you the lance raised by Committee members were ad- Defense has also been the key on the best and look forward to seeing you dressed and agreed to by Procter & Gamble road to the Badgers’ title run. While al- again soon. prior to the meeting. ∑ lowing only 11 goals all season, and f FDA’s commitment to further the process never more than 2 in a game, the Wis- is certainly evidenced by the November 13 ORDERS FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, consin defense continued to stonewall publication of the Federal Register notice 1996 announcing that all data, information and its opponents by becoming the first public comments on the petition were to be team ever to go through the entire Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unan- filed by December 1 in order to facilitate the five-game tournament without allow- imous consent that when the Senate FDA decision making process. I am pleased ing a goal. The 2-to-0 victory over completes its business today it stand in that the notice also indicated that the FDA Duke in the final extended their shut- recess until 11 a.m. on Friday; that fol- intends to render a decision within 60 days of out string to 7 consecutive games and lowing the prayer, the Journal of pro- the conclusion of the Food Advisory Com- ceedings be deemed approved to date, mittee meeting provided no significant new the 17th blanking over their 25-game schedule. Truly a team effort, Coach the time for the two leaders be re- safety issues are raised. Given the favorable served for their use later in the day, review by the advisory committee and the Jim Launder’s Badgers were the first absence of significant new safety issues or Wisconsin team to advance past the and there then be a period for morning concerns, I believe that the FDA should take NCAA quarterfinal. business until the hour of 12 noon with the necessary steps to ensure that the deci- Senator permits to speak for up to 10 sion making process is completed within the There is a cliche that says, ‘‘Offense minutes each. timetable on or about January 17, 1996. I wins games. Defense wins champion- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without look forward to the final agency action on ships.’’ Although somewhat simplistic, objection, it is so ordered. the olestra petition. it can be no more true than in the re- f Best regards. sults of the championships attained by Sincerely, our fine Wisconsin universities. Wis- PROGRAM JOHN GLENN, consin is truly proud of all its student Mr. DOLE. For the information of all U.S. Senator.∑ athletes, and on behalf of the State of of our colleagues, negotiations with (At the request of Mr. DASCHLE, the Wisconsin, I salute our national cham- the Republican and Democrat leader- following statement was ordered to be pions for their dedication to their com- ship, the White House, and the Presi- printed in the RECORD.) mon goal and for a job well done.∑ dent will continue tomorrow to see if S 72 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 4, 1996 we can reach some agreement on a bal- cally Congressman DAVIS, here, within hours here over the past couple of anced budget. I also believe there will the hour. weeks with you, that you have done be a meeting on Saturday afternoon, As you state, the House will have its more than your share of the heavy lift- maybe into the evening. We do not ex- caucus tonight. I, just speaking for my- ing and you have explored in a very ob- pect any rollcall votes during Friday’s self, am optimistic, without going into jective way, recognizing the diversity session of the Senate. the details, that there will be some ac- of views within our own party as well f tion. Therefore, if that is done, it is as across America. But the keystone is likely that this body, the Senate, the balanced budget using the CBO fig- FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND A would review it tomorrow, would that ures. I am hopeful the President will BALANCED BUDGET be correct? recognize that obligation on his part to Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, it had been Mr. DOLE. I would do it as quickly as send to the Congress, as early as pos- our thought we might remain in ses- we can. I thought if the House took it sible, such a balanced budget. sion tonight because the House may up in the morning it might be finished I think, when the history is written take action with reference to our at 11 o’clock and we could take it up at on this, the turning point in this clas- deeming resolution which passed here any time it comes from the House. sic chapter of our history will be when I will say, as I said before, some of the other day. There will be a House the distinguished majority leader stood our House colleagues have a different Republican conference at 7 o’clock. right here, and I was privileged to be view of this than some of us in the Sen- They have not yet passed, and I do not on the floor, and you said those impor- ate; maybe not all of us in the Senate. know precisely what, if anything, will tant words, ‘‘Enough is enough.’’ That But I also add, at least this Senator pass, but we wanted to be here if some- was the turning point. has been here the last couple of weeks thing passed later this evening. I now Mr. DOLE. I thank Congressman doing a lot of the heavy lifting. We ex- understand that would be objected to— WOLF and Congressman DAVIS and also plored almost every option I can think Congresswoman MORELLA, because an effort to do it tonight—so if there is of to get people back to work. I know they have been working with us, with any action it would come tomorrow. I that is the view of all the House Mem- the Senator, with our office, and I had hoped we would do it tonight be- bers, both Republicans and Democrats, know they have been working on the cause if it passed Federal employees that they should be working and they House side. They may be in a little bet- could be back to work tomorrow morn- should be paid, and you should not pay ter position to appreciate the impor- ing. I know that is the hope of the Sen- people for not working. In this case the ator from Virginia who has been work- workers are willing. tance of some early action because ing on this on a daily basis. We have I hope there will be some positive they have a great number of Federal had meetings throughout the day on measure to come from the House to- employees in their districts. Obviously, the balanced budget amendment and morrow so we can take it up and pass they are very concerned. we have also talked about Federal em- it very quickly and then get back to Mr. WARNER. Mr. President I would ployees. Speaker GINGRICH is very where we ought to be, back on our mes- like to add Congressman BATEMAN. He forthcoming. I know he has been in sage. Our message is balancing the joined with us in our regular daily meetings throughout the day. budget over the next 7 years. It is not meetings today because a significant I think all of us regret the deadline a Government shutdown. Our message part of the Federal establishment in of January 3 passed without reaching a is to balance the budget. That is what Virginia is in the Tidewater, of which balanced budget agreement. We have the American people want us to focus he is a Representative. not given up. We will be back, as I said, on, on both sides of the aisle. That, and Mr. DOLE. That is true. negotiating tomorrow afternoon and a number of other issues like welfare f probably Saturday afternoon. I would reform and tax cuts for families with say perhaps by the weekend or some- children. RECESS UNTIL 11 A.M. TOMORROW time early next week we probably In my view, the other message is an Mr. DOLE. If there be no further ought to have some agreement—or dis- impediment. If you watch the evening business to come before the Senate, I agreement, maybe; that we cannot put news tonight you will probably see two ask unanimous consent the Senate now it together. But we have not reached or three stories on the Government stand in recess under the previous that point yet. I will keep everybody shutdown but not one on the balanced order. informed. budget, not one. So I think somewhere There being no objection, the Senate, If there are any rollcall votes, as I along the way we have gotten off mes- at 5:54 p.m., recessed until Friday, Jan- have indicated to the Democratic lead- sage. I hope things will move along uary 5, 1996, at 11 a.m. er, Senator DASCHLE, there would be at here, we will get back, get our work least 24 hours’ notice provided to our done. f colleagues. I would think Members on both sides Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I again would like some free time this month NOMINATIONS salute our distinguished majority lead- or next month because we have sort of Executive nominations received by er. I know how hard he has worked on gone around the calendar here. the Senate January 4, 1996: this. Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, again, I I have been in consultation with my commend my distinguished colleague DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE colleagues from Virginia in the House and friend, the majority leader. I know STUART E. EIZENSTAT, OF MARYLAND, TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, of Representatives, and most specifi- full well, having shared many of the VICE JEFFREY E. GARTEN, RESIGNED. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 13 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

INTRODUCTION OF THE ENVIRON- vent the issuance of a permit for construction like water and sewage treatment facilities. MENTAL EQUAL RIGHTS ACT and operation of the proposed facility. Such investments have clearly improved many A challenge would be based on whether the Americans' quality of life, but they have also HON. CARDISS COLLINS proposed facility is located within 2 miles of consumed large portions of State and local OF ILLINOIS another waste facility, Superfund site, or facil- governments' scarce capital budgets, which IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ity that releases toxic contaminants; and might otherwise have been used to foster eco- whether it is in a community that has a higher nomic development. Thursday, January 4, 1996 than average percentage of low-income or mi- Something needs to be done to target Fed- Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today nority residents. The petitioner would also eral economic development assistance at our I am introducing the Environmental Equal have to show that the proposed facility may most troubled communities. The empower- Rights Act to promote equity, justice, and adversely affect the human health or the envi- ment zone/enterprise community legislation community involvement in the selection of the ronmental quality of the community. enacted in 1993 was landmark legislation, but location of waste facilities. My bill gets at the Mr. Speaker, the Environmental Equal the law only authorized empowerment zones heart of the need to locate waste facilities in Rights Act will equip environmentally dis- and enterprise communities in 104 areas locations which minimize the total impact on advantaged communities with basic tools to around the country. There are many more the health and well-being of nearby residents protect their environment and the health of communities in this country that need this kind from sources of contamination. It would estab- their residents. These tools are necessary to of help. Moreover, while the EZ/EC program lish a process for exercising our inherent compensate communities that are under- will provide much-needed Federal assistance rights respecting the development and evo- represented and have fewer resources with to the designated EZ/EC communities, the lution of our communities. which to protect themselves. We should all be program does not provide adequate resources In the past, sites for many waste facilities able to agree that underrepresentation is an even for these communities to successfully have invariably been chosen for the wrong unacceptable basis for exposing people to address the difficult social problems that they reasons. Since it is politically difficult to select substances which can impair mental develop- face. any location, the choice has often come down ment and cause harmful health conditions. To Consequently, I introduced a bill in 1993Ð to a question of political influence: Those with stop short of providing these rights would per- shortly after the enactment of the EZ/EC legis- the least have lost. petuate the gross injustices and exposures to lationÐthat would provide economic develop- The result is that too many facilities have risks that have become all too common. ment assistance to all of the local govern- been placed in communities populated largely f ments across the country that qualified as dis- by minorities and the poor. These sitings regu- tressed communities. larly occur irrespective of the suitability of the INTRODUCTION OF THE ECONOMIC This legislation would establish a new type site, and of critical importance, irrespective of REVITALIZATION ACT of tax-exempt private activity bond, the dis- the degree to which the community is already tressed community economic development exposed to the polluting facilities. It is a simple HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE bond. The distressed community economic de- fact of life that these communities usually do OF PENNSYLVANIA velopment bond would be targeted at commu- nities that have been hard hit by population not have the financial or political resources to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES compete on these issues with other neighbor- loss, job loss, slow growth, or military base Thursday, January 4, 1996 hoods. Consequently, as multiple facilities are closings. Communities which meet the bill's placed in minority and poor communities, the Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to in- criteria for designation as distressed commu- residents of these communities face troduce an important piece of legislation. This nities could issue tax-exempt bonds to pro- unjustifiably severe health hazards and have bill, the Economic Revitalization Act, would ex- mote a wide range of economic development no vehicle with which to protect themselves pand the Federal Government's role in en- projects within their jurisdictions. from such exposures. couraging local economic development efforts This legislation was not adopted in the 103d According to a 1992 University of Michigan across the country. Congress, so I am introducing it again today. study, the proportion of minorities in commu- Many communities across the country have I believe that this legislation would provide nities which have a commercial hazardous experienced unprecedented job loss and eco- economically hard-hit communities with the waste facility is about double that in commu- nomic dislocation in recent years. These com- necessary means to foster economic growth nities without such facilities. The University of munities are in desperate need of economic and create new jobs. Michigan study found that, where two or more development activities that will provide new I do not pretend that this initiative would such facilities are located, the proportion of jobs and tax revenues. solve all of the problems of our most troubled minorities is more than triple that of commu- Prior to my election to Congress, I served communities. It could, however, constitute part nities without a facility. for a number of years as a member of the of the solution. In light of the sharp decline in In a 1992 report, the Environmental Protec- Pittsburgh City Council. My service on the city Federal support for State and local govern- tion Agency corroborated the evidence of the council provided me with substantial first-hand ments in recent yearsÐand the concurrent disproportionate impact of contaminants or ra- knowledge about the many difficult challenges growth in federally imposed mandates on cial minority and low-income populations when facing State and local governments. those same governmentsÐcongressional ac- it concluded that these groups experience Since I left the city council to become a tion to encourage economic development is higher than average exposures to selected air Member of Congress, the demands on State long overdue. pollutants and hazardous waste facilities. and local governments have increased sub- I invite my colleagues to join me as cospon- Currently, projected human health impacts stantially while the resources at their disposal sors of this much-needed legislation. of a new waste facility usually do not figure have declined. In the last 15 years, the Fed- f into the decision of whether or not to award a eral Government has eliminated General Rev- MARATHON GIRLS ARE FIELD permit. Once again, recent studies have found enue Sharing and Urban Development Action HOCKEY CHAMPIONS AGAIN that urban, minority communities are the most Grants. It has also limited funding for pro- exposed to particulates, sulfates, and other grams like the Economic Development Admin- HON. JAMES T. WALSH istration and Community Development Block contaminants. OF NEW YORK The Environmental Equal Rights Act [EERA] Grants. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES would allow citizens of an environmentally dis- At the same time, the Federal Government advantaged community in which a waste facil- has imposed a number of unfunded mandates Thursday, January 4, 1996 ity has been proposed to be sited to challenge on State and local governments that require Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I am asking the siting. A successful challenge would pre- expensive new investments in infrastructure today that my colleagues join me in saluting

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E 14 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 4, 1996 the Marathon High School girls field hockey Many Miami residents first learned how to each of America’s more than 115 million in- team for successfully defending their New read and write because Dr. Beltran's undying dividual taxpayers 1.2 cents a year. York State class D championship. vision and commitment to the youth of south As conscientious citizens, we have always The team won its second straight champion- paid our taxes, regardless of our political Florida. It should give all a great sense of gripes. Even though one of us was tear- ship by defeating Morrisville-Eaton in a close pride to honor a man whose prescience con- gassed in 1971 by an overzealous guard at the and hard fought contest at Skidmore College tinues to set a standard of excellence for all to Nixon White House, protecting it from in Saratoga Springs, NY. admire. throngs of balding, middle-aged Vietnam As last year, the community welcomed the f War protesters and their children, the Inter- victorious Lady Olympians as they returned. nal Revenue Service got paid the following The volunteer fire department once again RINZLER AND LUNTZ ARE RIGHT year anyway. stirred excitement with wailing sirens and ON TARGET This time, however, we plan to draw a line flashing lights, leading a parade through the in the sand. Having voted to obey its own laws, members of Congress should be man (or center of the village. HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY woman) enough to live up to that require- I want to congratulate the team and let them OF NEW YORK ment. Before Tom DeLay votes for trimming know I am very proud of their performance. In IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Medicare, he should whistle down his own marking their accomplishment, we applaud all Government-financed health insurance. If he athletic endeavors of young women every- Thursday, January 4, 1996 expects Federal workers to show up for free, where and give a deserved pat on the back to Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, as the inex- so should he. the adults who have provided the guidance cusable Government shutdown drags on, Until then, he can forget our helping to and example that have made these players pay his salary. Come April 15, our joint tax Americans all over the country are justifiably return will be 2 cents short. That ought to champions. furious that critical services have been halted Those are the parents, the coaches, the ad- send a message: keeping Congress in line is a and that hardworking Federal employees are hard job, but somebody has to do it. ministrators, and the fans who have encour- being forced to work without pay. f aged and enjoyed the play all year long. In addition, many of our constituents are And while they have brought fame to them- angry that Members of Congress continue to 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE selves, they have made their friends and their receive their full pay during this time of crisis. FOUNDING OF TIGERTON school, not to mention their community, proud In fact, many of us have cosponsored legisla- as well. tion, as I have, to deny Members their pay These young people have learned what it HON. TOBY ROTH during the budget shutdown. OF WISCONSIN feels like to win, but more importantly the Yesterday, the New York times published an value of camaraderie, teamwork, and dis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES incisive op-ed piece written by two of my con- cipline. They will likely remember these times Thursday, January 4, 1996 stituents, Carol Ann Rinzler and Perry Luntz. the rest of their lives. They deserve to, and to I commend this timely article to all of my col- Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish a have our sincere best wishes for the kind of leagues. happy 100th birthday to the village of Tigerton, success which only promises greater things to [From the New York Times, Jan. 3, 1996] WI. come. We are not only celebrating a great townÐ CONGRESS SHOULDN’T GET PAID EITHER The team consists of: Rebecca Gillette, Jo- we are also celebrating the people who built a (By Carol Ann Rinzler and Perry Luntz) anna Ryan, Amber Potter, Laurel Weiss, great town. Kendra Shufelt, Amber Glave, Tina Owen, Almost exactly a year ago, Congress passed The people of Tigerton are the kind of Samantha Strough, Bobbie Elwood, Kathy the Congressional Accountability Act, a Americans about whom Abraham Lincoln said: Hoyt, Jessica James, Jennie Lavens, Hilary much ballyhooed measure that requires the House and Senate to abide by the workplace ``We have been the recipients of the choicest Matson, Carla Tagliente, Katrina Roe, Darci bounties of Heaven.'' Contri, Becky Smith, Allisa Altmann, Arlene and civil rights laws they enact for the rest of us. Alas, like so many things in life, this Tigerton lies in the heart of Shawano Coun- Hallock, and Coach Karen Funk. long-overdue legislation turns out to be less ty, a scenic region in northeast Wisconsin f than meets the eye. known far and wide for its fishing, HONORING DR. GIL BELTAN, In an effort to minimize the effects of the snowmobiling, golf, swimming, boating, camp- Government shutdown on their constituents, EDUCATOR ing, hiking, and biking. Republicans in the House proposed last week Tigerton's abundant forests are home to that furloughed Federal employees go back HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN to work without being paid, surely a new abundant deer and small game, which attract OF FLORIDA idea in free-market, conservative economics. legions of hunters. In fact, Tigerton was settled more than 100 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Afterward, someone asked Representative Tom DeLay of Texas, the House majority years ago by hard-working people in the tim- Thursday, January 4, 1996 whip, whether he would consider giving up ber industry. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is a his own salary during the crisis. No way, said The Tigerton Lumber Co., was formed in great pleasure and a true honor for me to rec- Mr. DeLay, explaining that, like every other 1887, and the town of Tigerton was incor- ognize the many achievements of Dr. Gil member of Congress, he isn’t a Federal em- porated shortly afterward in 1896. Beltran who, for over 65 years, has dedicated ployee—he is a ‘‘constitutional officer.’’ From that time, the village of Tigerton has Well, we’ve reread our copy of the Con- his life to educating children at his school in stitution, and frankly the distinction seems grown to its current population of more than Miami. Indeed, Dr. Beltran's unyielding com- a bit arcane to us. 800 citizens. mitment to the education of children is nothing True, members of Congress are specifically The village's lumber heritage is preserved short of remarkable. mentioned in the Constitution Article I, Sec- by the Tigerton Lumber Co., which is still He founded his school, La Luz, The Light, tion 5 says that ‘‘Senators and Representa- going strong. Each year, in the last weekend with the mission to provide students with the tives shall receive a compensation for their of August, Tigerton Lumberjack Days are held foundations of academic excellence while services, to be ascertained by law and paid to celebrate the town's main industry. stressing the importance of serving one's com- out of the Treasury of the United States.’’ On Lumberjack Days, the people of Tigerton Cabinet members and Federal judges also get munity. The school was first inaugurated at a mention, later on, but other workers—cu- can get together and enjoy log cutting, sawing, the turn of the century in Havana, Cuba and rators at the Smithsonian, say—do not. and piling shows, as well as enjoy a corn then initiated again in Miami for the exiled But every Federal paycheck originates in roast, bingo, rides, music, and bow shooting. Cuban-American community. Dr. Beltran's de- an appropriation requiring money from the The centennial celebration will culminate termination to educate those who yearned to Treasury, whose funds come, in large part, during this year's Lumberjack Days, with a pa- be free in the United States, and to teach stu- from income taxes. That should give every- rade on August 26. dents the true meanings of the words ``liberty'' one of us the inalienable right to put in our The opening ceremony will be held at the and ``justice,'' has made him a true philan- 2 cents. Or to take it out. Tigerton High School gymnasium on January Members of the House and Senate earn a thropist of the south Florida community. One base salary of $133,600 a year (those in leader- 14. On that day, the Tigerton High School can measure the resounding success of Dr. ship positions get more). And don’t forget band, and civic figures from the village and Beltran's vision by witnessing the smiles and the generous benefit package: life insurance, the State, with the people of Tigerton to look gratitude of the students and parents on grad- health insurance, per diem travel and a nifty back on the past 100 years and look forward uation day. pension. Mr. DeLay’s base salary alone costs to the next century. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 15 Indeed, everyone in Tigerton should be very Family Center to accumulate a respectable close to the United States. Guatemala is one proud of their village's first 100 years. endowment and operate deficit free for the of those countries. All of us can look backward on a century of pass 22 years. This sound fiscal management Mr. Speaker, the second round of elections achievements large and small, of four genera- will ensure that the Family Center will continue in Guatemala are to be held on January 7, tions of hard-working and God-fearing families. its outstanding work for many years to come. 1996. The people of Guatemala are praying But this centennial also marks a time to look On behalf of the citizens of the Second for a legitimate, democratic election. One that forward to the future. Congressional district of Massachusetts, I will guarantee substantial changes from the The pioneering spirit that inspired the peo- would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to Henry past governments and give them hope for true ple of Tigerton in its first century lives on Dawson for his tireless work with young peo- democracy in their own country. If this does today, stronger than ever. ple and wish him the best as he begins his re- not come to pass, then more Guatemalans will I am confident that the people of Tigerton tirement. His contributions to the youth of come illegally into the United States. At this will make their second century a time of Springfield are immeasurable and I am hon- time, just in Florida alone, there are more than unbounded opportunity and success. ored to represent such an outstanding individ- 50,000 Guatemalan immigrants who have Tigerton and each city and town of our great ual. People like Henry Dawson are the reason come in hopes of finding the American dream country and our great State of Wisconsin is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America have of true democracy and justice, something they unique, but all are bound together in the love been able to make such a difference in the have been denied for years in their own coun- of these United States. lives of America's youth for the past century. try. The corruption in Guatemala must stop, As the people of Tigerton commemorate this Thank you Henry and good luck. and the United States is the only country that anniversary, we have a splendid opportunity to f has the power to terminate such activity. renew our commitment to preserve the spirit Both the President and Congress should which has forged America into a land of won- CONGRATULATIONS TO THORN- make it a priority to see that honest, fraudu- der. I am proud to join you, the people of DALE HIGH SCHOOL STATE lent-free elections are held there. As with the Tigerton, in making such a commitment on FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS elections in Haiti and Nicaragua, the United this historic occasion. States should send a cadre of officials to Gua- Mr. Speaker, with hearty congratulations HON. CHET EDWARDS temala to ensure that the voters will not be co- and best wishes for continued milestones, I OF TEXAS erced in any way. The resources that we are salute the village of Tigerton. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES currently utilizing to maintain illegals within our f country would be better spent tending to the Thursday, January 4, 1996 elimination of such corruption, which drives HONORING HENRY A. DAWSON Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today emigres to our soil. Additionally, we should al- for the second time in as many years for the ways consider the quality of life for U.S. citi- HON. RICHARD E. NEAL same reason, to recognize the Thorndale High zens who reside in these strained countries. OF MASSACHUSETTS School Bulldogs for their State football cham- Mr. Speaker, we seek the security of our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pionship. Nation and we hold dear our own ideals, but I extend my sincere congratulations to head too often we disregard the ideals of others liv- Thursday, January 4, 1996 coach Don Cowan and the Bulldogs of ing in nations less fortunate, where corruption Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, Thorndale, TX, who captured the 1995 Class runs rampant. By taking precautions now, we today I would like to pay tribute to an out- 1A State Championship on December 23, can lighten the burdens we will have to carry standing individual from my district, Mr. Henry 1995 before a crowd of 8,000 at Gordon later. I therefore urge President Clinton to A. Dawson. Mr. Dawson will retire this month Wood Stadium in Brownwood, TX. Defeating order the State Department to monitor the up- after 22 years of dedicated service as the ex- the Roscoe Plowboys 14 to 7, the Bulldogs coming election in Guatemala, so as to ensure ecutive director of the Springfield Girls Club extended their winning streak to 32 games. that they are fair and democratic. Family Center. This feat places Thorndale in a select class f A native of Rocky Mount, NC, Mr. Dawson with 4 other schools as the only teams in IN CELEBRATION OF ELMER AND enjoyed distinguished military and athletic ca- Texas high school football history to post MARY SIMONIS’ 50TH ANNIVER- reers before arriving in Springfield in 1970 to back-to-back 16-win seasons. SARY pursue a masters degree at Springfield Col- The Bulldogs won their second consecutive lege and to begin his tenure at the Girls Club State championship and third in 6 years with Family Center. For the last 22 years Henry intense defense. Thorndale's defense, stingy HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA Dawson has served as the executive director all year, held its opponents to single-digit scor- OF WISCONSIN of the Family Center and has touched the ing in all but four of its games, six of which IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lives of thousands of young people in the were shutouts. The Bulldogs' defense was so Thursday, January 4, 1996 Springfield area. tenacious against Roscoe that it forced four Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to Under Mr. Dawson's direction, the Family interceptions and limited the Plowboys to only congratulate Elmer and Mary Simonis in cele- Center established many outstanding pro- nine first downs, two in the second half. brating their golden wedding anniversary. For grams. Among these projects are the Project I urge my colleagues to join me today in 50 years, Elmer and Mary have demonstrated Extra Plus and Project Extra Plus Preschool, recognizing and honoring true championsÐthe true devotion and commitment to each other, which provided day care with a large variety of players, coaches, students, parents, and citi- their family, and their community. recreational activities for school-age and pre- zens of Thorndale, TX. Throughout his career, Elmer's work with school children during nonschool hours. In ad- f the space program led to his involvement in dition, Mr. Dawson also established the Family producing the guidance systems for our moon Center City Camp which provided day care for IN SUPPORT OF ADVANCEMENT OF shots. He also spent time assembling the 150 children during the summer months, and DEMOCRACY ELSEWHERE moon buggy. Mary kept busy with the chil- Camp Mishnoah, a summer resident camp dren's Parent-Teacher Association, Brownies, that provided a quality multicultural camping HON. ROBERT G. TORRICELLI and Girl Scouts. And, she still found time to experience for thousands of girls who might OF NEW JERSEY work as a nurse's aid in a local hospital. otherwise have been denied such an experi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Together they have resided for 21 years on ence. Grove Street in Muskego, WI. Here they Thursday, January 4, 1996 Mr. Dawson's, ability to create outstanding raised three lovely daughters, Mary, Donna, programs for young people is possibly sur- Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, President and Annette. Growing up, the girls had won- passed only by his ability to raise the funds to Clinton once wrote: derful role models in parents who were active keep these programs in operation. Over the .. . the best strategy to ensure and build a in various school and church functions. Now, years, the Family Center has experienced lasting peace is to support the advance of de- the Simonis' love extends further to their nine major funding reductions, and despite this mocracy elsewhere. beautiful grandchildren. loss, the center's budget has grown and I concur with this statement, and I add that As we begin 1996, it is with great pleasure shown an average annual excess of $37,000. in order to establish security within our own that I extend my warmest wishes for a won- This is the result of proven investment prac- borders, we must also ensure democracy and derful 50th anniversary and many more happy tices by Mr. Dawson that have enabled the security within the borders of the countries returns to Elmer and Mary Simonis. E 16 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 4, 1996 TRIBUTE TO PAT ZICARELLI brating with friends and family more than would create a tax credit for private sector en- 170,000 railroad retirees had their monthly vironmental remediation. HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN pension checks severely cut. Specifically, this bill would provide a 50-per- OF CALIFORNIA Had the Republican leadership done its job cent tax credit for environmental remediation IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on time, these railroad retirees would be re- expenses incurred in completing a cleanup plan approved by the EPA or a designated Thursday, January 4, 1996 ceiving their vested dual benefits checks that average $130 per month. That means that State agency. In order to target this tax credit Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to more than 13,000 beneficiaries in Pennsylva- at the most potentially productive sites, the tax pay tribute to Pat Zicarelli, who is the outgoing nia and others across the Nation will receive credit would be restricted to those sites that president of the San Fernando Valley Associa- only partial annuity checks. meet the following four criteria: the site has tion of Realtors. Under Pat's aggressive lead- For some railroad retirees their Medicare had no productive use for at least 1 year; the ership, the association expanded membership part B premiums will consume their entire ben- site would be unlikely to undergo redevelop- services, became deeply involved in commu- efit checks. The bill that contains the funding ment without tax credit assistance; the site nity affairs, and raised significant funds for the for these railroad retirees has not even been has a strong likelihood of creating jobs and Make-a-Wish Foundation. With his energy and brought to the Senate floor. expanding the tax base after redevelopment; enthusiasm, Pat was an excellent leader for To add insult to injury, Speaker GINGRICH and the planned environmental remediation the association. His successor will find him a has announced his intentions to recess the and redevelopment would be completed in a tough act to follow. House until January 23. This makes no sense. reasonably short period of time. The tax credit Pat has a 20-year history of participation in Railroad retirees spent their entire careers would also be available only to ``innocent own- civic, community, and business affairs, in the keeping our trains operating on time. This is ers'' of polluted property. It is my hope that San Fernando Valley. Indeed, his resume is no time to forget railroad retirees and their such a tax credit will stimulate increased crowded with credits. To cite a few of many families. Keep the Congress at work and re- brownfield cleanup and redevelopment all examples: Pat is serving a second term as store full benefits to these railroad retirees. across the country. president of the Tarzana Chamber of Com- f If this credit is successful in encouraging merce, has been an executive business fund- brownfield cleanup and redevelopment, it will raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, INTRODUCTION OF THE BROWN- bring jobs and revitalization to thousands of has worked with local crime watch programs, FIELDS REDEVELOPMENT ACT communities across the country. I believe that and for 2 years was on the board of directors the benefits such redevelopment would pro- of the Miss California USA Pageant. HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE vide by revitalizing our central cities would far Not surprisingly, Pat has been the recipient OF PENNSYLVANIA outweigh the cost of the credit. Moreover, the of numerous awards through the years. In IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES costs of allowing these sites to remain vacant 1982, he was named Realtor-Associate of the Thursday, January 4, 1996 and contaminated areÐwhile less obviousÐ Year by the San Fernando Valley Association quite substantial. of Realtors; in 1992 Assemblyman Richard Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, environmental The second provision of the Brownfield Re- Katz selected Pat to receive the San Fer- cleanup and economic redevelopment of old, development Act would modify the Internal nando Valley Small Business Owner of the abandoned industrial sites is a critical issue for Revenue Code's existing qualified redevelop- Year Award. Pat was also given the Outstand- cities across America. These unproductive, ment bond [QRB] provisions to specify that ing Person of the Year Award by the Tarzana often polluted sites are called brownfields. environmental remediation was an allowable Chamber of Commerce. There are over 400,000 brownfield sites use of such bonds. The interest paid on quali- As president of the Valley Association of scattered across the United States. Over the fied redevelopment bondsÐbonds which are Realtors, Pat championed the adaptation of last decades, these brownfield sites have be- used for financing redevelopment in des- new technologies. Always on top of the latest come not only public health and pollution ignated blighted areasÐis tax-exempt. As a innovations, Pat improved and expanded problems, but also serious impediments to the result, municipalities that issue such bonds CRIS±NET, which is widely recognized as one economic health of the surrounding commu- can pay lower interest rates when they borrow of the industry's most advanced real estate in- nities. Because the risk of assuming financial money for redevelopment projects. In effect, formation systems. He has positioned the as- liability for a brownfield site is so great, poten- the Federal Government subsidizes local gov- sociation to be a key player in the information tial purchasers and lenders have shied away ernments' redevelopment activities through age. from redevelopment of such properties. The this Tax Code provision. Although brownfield I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting result has been the loss of job opportunities sites are clearly blighted areas, environmental Pat Zicarelli, who has just concluded a suc- and tax revenue in many communities, blight- remediation is not specifically identified in the cessful tenure as president of the San Fer- ed neighborhoods, and the expensive, unnec- Tax Code as an allowable use of qualified re- nando Valley Association of Realtors. His essary, and wasteful construction of infrastruc- development Bond proceeds. To address this commitment to business and dedication to his ture like roads and sewers at new ``greenfield'' oversight, the Brownfields Redevelopment Act community are an example for us all. sites in nearby communities. would add environmental remediation to the f Affordable financing is one of the major list of activities that qualify for the use of the BUDGET IMPASSE DERAILS BENE- stumbling blocks in the cleanup and reuse of proceeds from the sale of qualified redevelop- FITS FOR RAILROAD RETIREES brownfield sites. The Brownfields Redevelop- ment bonds. This change would allow local ment Act, which I am introducing today, seeks governments to borrow money for brownfield to address and ease the financial impediments cleanup at slightly less than market rates. HON. RON KLINK to brownfield redevelopment through two sep- The bill would also waive a number of exist- OF PENNSYLVANIA arate provisions. First, the Brownfields Rede- ing QRB restrictions when the bonds were is- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES velopment Act would create a substantial tax sued for environmental remediation activities. Thursday, January 4, 1996 incentive for private sector brownfield clean- Most importantly, the Brownfields Redevelop- Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, Emperor Nero fid- ups. In many cases, companies which are in ment Act would waive a section of the current dled while his capital, Rome, burned to the the process of building new facilities might law that requires that designated blighted ground. prefer to build these facilities on brownfield areas be at least 100 acres in size. The great Now the Imperial Republican-controlled sites, where the necessary public infrastruc- majority of brownfield sites desperately in Congress here in Washington would rather tureÐroads and sewers, for exampleÐis al- need of redevelopment are much smaller than keep the Federal Government shut down than ready in place and where a ready supply of 100 acres. Many, in fact, are only a few acres. do the people's business. Their actions are prospective employees live nearby. However, Consequently, this and similar requirements driving Federal workers and Federal contrac- the cost of environmental remediation and the would be modified under the Brownfields Re- tors to the brink of financial disaster. risk of future financial liability has too often development Act to address the special condi- Besides the Federal workers and Federal caused companies to shy away from such oth- tions that are often associated with brownfield suppliers, there are other victims of the Fed- erwise desirable locations. Cleaning up haz- sites. eral shutdown: the retired railroad workers and ardous waste sites is an expensive, risky, and The QRB provisions of the Brownfield Rede- their families. often time-consuming process. To provide an velopment Act would be nearly revenue-neu- While Speaker GINGRICH and other House incentive for brownfield cleanup and redevel- tral. While thousands of brownfield sites would Republicans rang in the New Year by cele- opment, the Brownfields Redevelopment Act be eligible for redevelopment using tax-exempt January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 17 QRB's, the volume of qualified redevelopment to intervene in a shooting war on a much gramsÐthe Servicemen's Group Life Insur- bonds issued would be constrained by the ex- larger scale. Because NATO nations on both ance [SGI] and the Veterans' Group Life Insur- isting State bond volume caps established sides of the Atlantic remember all too well ance [VGLI]. My distinguished colleagues, the price paid in 1914 and 1939 because of under section 146 of the Internal Revenue Western blunders and blindness, they were SONNY MONTGOMERY, TERRY EVERETT, LANE Code. Local governments wishing to issue determined not to miss this opportunity to EVANS, and CHRIS SMITH, join me in introduc- qualified redevelopment bonds for brownfield stop a war in the heart of Europe when it ing this bill. sites would have to compete with other issu- was in their power to do so. The SGLI Program provides group life insur- ers for authority to issue private activity bonds What has received less attention in the ance coverage to persons on active duty in under the State volume cap. international Force (IFOR) debate are the the military service, Ready Reservists, mem- Mr. Speaker, vacant, polluted brownfield profound implications for NATO of this oper- bers of the uniformed services, cadets and sites have become a serious problem for our ation, which is the first ground force ‘‘out- midshipmen of the four service academies and of-area’’ deployment in our 46-year history. members of the Reserve Office Training country. They have blighted many of our com- For those who until recently considered the munities in both financial and environmental organization a Cold War relic, the coalition Corps. Although it is a program of the Depart- terms, and they have contributed to urban that our supreme allied commander Europe, ment of Veterans Affairs, this program is actu- sprawl. Restoring and redeveloping our coun- Gen. George A. Joulwan, is assembling must ally administered by the Prudential Insurance try's brownfield sites will be a difficult taskÐit seem astonishing indeed. Co. will take the cooperation of both the public and Thus far, 16 non-NATO nations have joined The VGLI Program is a program of post- private sectors. The financial assistance pro- the 16 allies in ‘‘Operation Joint Endeavor.’’ separation insurance which provides for the vided in this bill would be a valuable tool in These include many of our former adversar- conversion of servicemen's group life insur- ies from Central and Eastern Europe who ance to a 5-year term policy. Like Service- the environmental and economic redevelop- now wish to join NATO, neutral countries ment of America. I urge my colleagues to join such as Sweden and Finland, non-European men's Group, Veterans' Group is supervised me as cosponsors of this legislation. nations such as Egypt and Pakistan and, by the Department of Veterans Affairs but ad- f most notably, Russia. Still other nations, ministered by the Office of Servicemen's such as Austria and Switzerland, have bro- Group Life Insurance. PERSONAL EXPLANATION ken with tradition and taboo to cooperate This bill would make quite a few changes, with NATO to facilitate the largest and most including setting the automatic coverage under HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE complex movement of forces by land, sea and SGLI at $200,000 from the current $100,000; air in Europe in 50 years. allowing the Secretary the authority to termi- OF HAWAII Clearly, something is happening in Europe IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today that transcends the Bosnian situation. nate an individual's insurance if premiums are not paid within 60 days; and renaming the Thursday, January 4, 1996 Underlying the desire of so many nations to contribute to this NATO-led operation is a Servicemen's Group Life Insurance Program Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, during consciousness that a defining moment in the to Servicemember's Group Life Insurance. rollcall vote Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 I was unavoid- post-Cold War security order has arrived. Additional provisions include merging the ably detained. Had I been present, I would This is not a moment or an opportunity that Retired Reserve Servicemembers' Group Life have voted ``present'' on rollcall No. 1; ``no'' on has come about by accident. NATO has Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance rollcall No. 2; ``yes'' on rollcall No. 3; and ``no'' worked quietly but intensively over the past Programs; extending VGLI lifetime coverage to on rollcall No. 4. two years to prepare the new democracies in our Partnership for Peace program for such members of the Ready Reserve of a uni- f joint operations, just as we have endeavored formed service; providing for an individual, upon separation from the military, to change to BOSNIA AND THE FUTURE OF to build a truly cooperative relationship with the Russian Federation. the SGLI Program or choose as commercial NATO Thus in Bosnia we have an opportunity not policy; and eliminating the 5-year VGLI re- only to end a war in the Balkans but to lay newal period. HON. LEE H. HAMILTON the foundations for an enduring structure of Mr. Speaker, we already know that these peace across a now-undivided and democratic OF INDIANA are great insurance programs and are very Europe. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I am keenly aware that it is one thing to popular with veterans and active duty person- Thursday, January 4, 1996 proclaim such a lofty ideal and quite another nel. The changes offered in this legislation will for our troops to face the grim reality of a improve the programs for current policy hold- Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, the new Sec- Balkan winter under trying and dangerous ers and future participants. retary General of NATO, Javier Solana, wrote circumstances. Throughout history, it has I urge my colleagues to join me in support- a piece in the Washington Post on December been ever thus—it has been to the lonely foot ing this legislation. 24, 1995, entitled ``In Bosnia, a Defining Mo- soldier to realize the visions of leaders and f ment.'' I was impressed with his analysis, par- politicians. ticularly concerning the cooperation of 16 non- But thanks to their capacity to learn from A CHAMPION OF ECONOMIC NATO nations with the 16 Members of NATO the mistakes of the first half of this century, JUSTICE two generations of Europeans and North in support of the Bosnia Implementation Americans have not had to ask their sons Force. As the Secretary General states ``[W]e and daughters to sacrifice themselves in an- HON. JIM McDERMOTT have the opportunity not only to end the war other world war. They have not had to do OF WASHINGTON in Bosnia but to lay the foundations for an en- so—and current and future generations will IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES during structure of peace across a now-undi- not have to do so—largely because NATO ex- vided and democratic Europe.'' ists to keep the peace. Thursday, January 4, 1996 I comment the article to the attention of my Now that a new NATO is moving boldly to Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today colleagues. The text follows: meet the post-Cold War security challenges to pay tribute to former Seattle Councilman of a new Europe, our thoughts should go to [From the Washington Post; Dec. 24, 1995] our young soldiers of peace who will spend Sam Smith who passed away November 16, (By Javier Solana) their Christmas truly spreading the season’s 1995. Sam Smith was born July 21, 1922, on IN BOSNIA, A DEFINING MOMENT message of hope to their fellow man. a farm just outside of Gibsland, LA. He en- Much of the debate that preceded last f tered the U.S. Army in 1942, was assigned to week’s deployment of a NATO-led peace im- a post in Seattle, and achieved the rank of plementation force into Bosnia centered on H.R. 2843, VETERANS’ INSURANCE warrant officer. After World War II, he married whether the stakes involved justified sending REFORM ACT OF 1995 his high school sweetheart, Marion, and to- the young men and women of this alliance gether they raised six children. Sam earned a into harm’s way. On this point, the response HON. BOB STUMP degree in social science from Seattle Univer- of our 16 member nations has been clear: We OF ARIZONA sity in 1951, and a degree in economics from simply had to act in order to bring the worst the University of Washington in 1952. He en- conflict in Europe since World War II to a de- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tered politics in 1956, and was elected to the finitive halt. Thursday, January 4, 1996 The alternative would not only have been Washington State Legislature in 1958, rep- to condemn the people of Bosnia to further Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, today I am intro- resenting the 37th Legislative District of Wash- suffering but to risk seeing the conflict ducing legislation which will update and make ington for five terms until 1967. Sam then was spread and perhaps confront us with the need changes to two of the VA insurance pro- elected to the Seattle City Council. He was the E 18 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 4, 1996 council's first black member, and he served on server School. During his tour with the 2d Ma- 1992. He later served as the Special Military the council for 24 years. rine Division he served as an instructor at the Assistant to Adm. Jonathan Howe, USN (Re- What made Sam Smith one of the finest Aerial Observer School, executive officer for L tired), the Special U.S. Representative to Hu- elected officials to hold office in Seattle? Was Company, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines, and com- manitarian and United Nations Operations in it his insistence that he answer his own tele- manding officer, Headquarters Company, that besieged country. Following his return to phone with the familiar and friendly, ``This is Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division. the United States, he was summoned back to Sam''? Or his warm smile and greeting of ``Hi, On December 30, 1967, he was promoted to Somalia to work with the United Nations. neighbor'' to all he encountered on his regular 1st lieutenant. In 1968, he joined the 3d Bat- Colonel Steed is currently the director of ex- strolls through the neighborhoods of Seattle? talion, 27th Marines, and deployed to the Re- peditionary warfare and special operations Was it his keen political skills that found an- public of Vietnam, serving as a platoon com- training at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coro- swers to problems when others could not? Or mander, executive officer, and later as com- nado, CA. was it his unique ability to bring opposing mander, I Company. Colonel Steed's personal decorations in- sides together to find common ground? When the 27th Marines returned to the Unit- clude: the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Yes, Sam Smith will be remembered for the ed States, he remained in Vietnam and was with Combat ``V,'' the Air Medal (Individual way he answered his phone, greeted people assigned to the 1st Marine Division Aerial Ob- Award), 17 Strike Flight Awards with Combat on the streets, found answers and not ex- server Section. Upon returning to the United ``V,'' the Navy Commendation Medal with cuses. However, he also is remembered as a States in 1969, he was assigned to the G±4, Combat ``V'' with two gold stars and the Pur- champion of economic justice. Sam Smith ad- Camp Pendleton, CA. ple Heart with on gold star. dressed issues in a direct, thoughtful, and In March 1970, he was promoted to Cap- dedicated manner, at a time in our country's tain. From 1970 to 1971, he served with the f history when talk of fair housing and fair em- Shore Party Battalion, 5th Marine Division, as ployment opportunities for minorities and the a company commander and operations officer. THE OBSERVER ANNUAL AWARD working poor too often was met with ignorance Graduating from the Amphibious Warfare DINNER and indifference. He is remembered as some- School in 1971, he was assigned as a com- one who lifted as he climbed. Sam Smith was pany commander at Officer Candidate School. HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE Again ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in among the fathers of the robust diversity that OF PENNSYLVANIA distinguishes Seattle politics nationally. Many December 1972, he served as an aerial ob- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES city, county, and State public officials attribute server with Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Com- their opportunities to Sam and the avenues he pany. Following the cease fire, he transferred Thursday, January 4, 1996 opened for them. to the Landing Support Group, 3d Force Serv- Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. Speaker, the city of Seattle mourns the ice Regiment, Nam Phong, Thailand, and pay tribute to a number of Pittsburgh groups loss of Sam Smith, someone who dedicated served as the operations officer. and residents who will be honored next week his life to public service, who greeted one and In 1974, he returned to the United States at the annual dinner hosted by the Observer all with warmth and respect, and who, above and was assigned as the I±I, E Company, 2d newspaper. Battalion, 23d Marines, Concord, CA. all, cared about his neighbors. Each year the Observer presents a number He was promoted to major in June 1977. He f of awards for outstanding community service. was next ordered to the 1st Marine Brigade in It also selects an individual for its Humani- IN HONOR OF COL. BILLY CLYDE Hawaii and served as Weapons Company tarian Service Award, and it confers Man and STEED Commander, the executive officer for 2d Bat- Woman of the Year Awards. I would like to talion, 3d Marines, the regimental S±4, and recognize this year's award recipients here the operations officer for the 31st Marine Am- HON. G.V. (SONNY) MONTGOMERY today. phibious Unit. OF MISSISSIPPI The recipients of the Awards for Outstand- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College in 1981, he was assigned as the Chief ing Service are listed below: Thursday, January 4, 1996 Aerial Observer, VMO±2, Camp Pendleton, Mr. Arnold Horovitz, Esq. and Kenneth Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I take CA. In July 1982, he was promoted to lieuten- Stiles, Esq., who are being honored for their this opportunity to recognize a fellow Mis- ant colonel and assigned to the air-ground ex- efforts to enforce zoning code provisions in a sissippian, Col. Billy Clyde Steed, who is retir- change program where he served as G±3 number of city neighborhoods. ing this month after 40 years of service in the Plans and Deputy G±4, 3d Marine Aircraft The Elliott-West Athletic Association, which U.S. Marine Corps. I wanted to share with my Wing. is being honored for 30 years of service to colleagues the highlights of Colonel Steed's In 1984 he was assigned to the 1st Marines young people in Pittsburgh's West End, and outstanding career of service to his country. as the regimental executive officer. During for a number of other public service efforts, in- He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January April 1985, Colonel Steed assumed command cluding its efforts to maintain Herschel Field. 1956. After completion of recruit training, he of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. In 1987 he The Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity, which reported to the 2d Marine Division and was was assigned as Assistant Chief of Staff, G± is being honored for its volunteers' efforts to assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment. He was 7, for preparedness and Special Operations provide affordable housing for low-income later assigned to the amphibious reconnais- Training Group of I Marine Expeditionary residents of the city of Pittsburgh. sance company. Force until August 1988. On August 29, 1988, The Hill District Community Development In 1958, he was ordered to Marine Bar- Colonel Steed assumed command of the 25th Corporation, which is being honored for its racks, 8th & I, and remained there until 1962. Marines. On October 1, 1988, he was pro- work in creating the Crawford Square housing From 1962 to 1964, he was stationed at the moted to Colonel. developmentÐa successful mixed income, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, as a On December 15, 1990, Colonel Steed was mixed use market rate urban residential com- drill instructor. Colonel Steed was then trans- assigned as the MARCENT/I MEF G±3 (Oper- munity. ferred to the 1st Marine Division and served ations Officer) during Desert Shield/Desert The Lambda Foundation and the Pittsburgh with 3d Battalion, 7th Marines. The 3d Battal- Storm. During that operation, Colonel Steed Tavern Guild, which are being jointly honored ion, 7th Marines, deployed to Okinawa and served as the operations officer for the largest for their philanthropic activities benefiting orga- was redesignated as 1st Battalion, 3d Ma- U.S. Marine Corps combat operation since the nizations and agencies that provide social, rines, and deployed to Vietnam in January Vietnam conflict. educational, and health-related services to 1965. During this period, he served as a Returning to the United States in April 1991, members of Pittsburgh's gay and lesbian com- squad leader, platoon sergeant, and platoon Colonel Steed served as the G±3 Operations munity. commander. Officer for I MEF during the largest employ- The Lawrenceville Development Corp., Returning to the United States in 1965, he ment of U.S. Marine Corps Forces in counter- which is being honored for its work to revital- was again assigned to Marine Corps Recruit drug interdiction efforts in history. He was re- ize the historic Doughboy Square are of Depot, San Diego, as an instructor at the Drill sponsible for the deployment of over 10,000 Lawrenceville, and for the construction and Instructor School. marines and sailors in support of Joint Task successful marketing of the Doughboy Square Commissioned a second lieutenant on Sep- Force-6 over a 2-year period. He later as- TownhomesÐthe largest new-construction tember 30, 1966, he was ordered to the 2d sumed the duties as Chief of Staff for I MEF, housing development undertaken in Marine Division and attended the Aerial Ob- where he deployed to Somalia in November Lawrenceville in the past 30 years. January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 19 The Manchester Citizens Corp., which is being honored for his fundraising activities on Later, as a public appointee of Mayor Ed- being honored for its continuing work to revi- behalf of people in need of organ transplants, ward I. Koch to the Rent Guidelines Board, he talize Manchester, its youth employment pro- and for undertaking a public relations and was actively involved in a host of issues con- grams, and for the creation of a comprehen- legal campaign that convinced a major health cerning affordable housing and housing rights. sive neighborhood revitalization plan that re- maintenance organization to agree to pay for Many New Yorkers are indebted to Mon- sulted in a successful application for a HUD a liver transplant that they had previously de- signor Byrne for his tireless efforts on behalf HOPE VI grant. nied, thus extending and probably saving the of tenants who undoubtedly gained because of Mr. Nate Geller, of Highland Park, who is life of one of his employees. his fair and just voice on the Rent Guidelines being honored for his long-term commitment The Observer has chosen Mr. Randy Gilson Board. to Pittsburgh's young people through his ef- as this year's Man of the Year. Mr. Gilson was forts as a volunteer baseball coach, basketball chosen because of his strong leadership and In 1982, Monsignor Byrne was appointed coach, and soccer coach, and for his volun- his commitment to public service, and be- pastor of Epiphany Parish, where his dedica- teer work for the Sister Cities organizations as cause he provides an excellent role model for tion and devotion have earned him the praise an organizer of the 1995 visit here by the Rus- other city residentsÐand, in particular, for of all who have had the good fortune to work sian Junior Olympic Baseball Team. young people living in Northside neighbor- with him. During his tenure at Epiphany Par- The Northside Leadership Conference and hoods. ish, Monsignor Byrne has been a creative and the Spring Garden Neighborhood Council, The Observer has chosen Ms. Rebecca innovative leader. Among the important which are being honored jointly for success- White as its Woman of the Year. Ms. White is changes he has initiated are the early intro- fully developing and marketing the Vosscamp being honored for providing retail consulting duction of altar girls, the establishment of a re- Villas townhomes on Vosscamp Street in services to neighborhoods and organizations stricted endowment fund, and the expansion Spring Garden. in the city of Pittsburgh, as well as for working of the Epiphany School. The Monsignor's ef- The Overbrook Community Council and the diligently as a volunteer with numerous com- forts do not stop at the church doors. He vol- West End-Elliott Joint Project, which are being munity and business groups. She is also being unteers in the community as well, serving as honored jointly for their efforts to secure gov- honored for her contributions to the renovation vice president of the local Ronald McDonald ernment action on a comprehensive flood con- and rehabilitation of Lawrenceville business House. trol project along Saw Mill Run, a stream in district in the years since 1988. Monsignor Byrne is a very special friend of Pittsburgh's southern and western neighbor- Finally, I also want to commend Michael mine who has given a great deal to his com- hoods. Romanello and the Observer newspaper for munity through his work in religious realm as The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, organizing this dinner to recognize those indi- well as his involvement in housing issues and which is being honored for its volunteer effort viduals and organizations who embody the other volunteer activities. to enhance the image of the downtown Pitts- spirit of Pittsburgh in their service to their com- burgh business district through beautification So I ask my colleagues to join me in con- munity. I also want to thank the paper for the and clean-up projects, public safety advocacy, gratulating Monsignor Byrne on his extraor- retail management seminars, and marketing high-quality service that it has provided to dinary achievements and in wishing him well and promotional activitiesÐincluding Sparkle many of Pittsburgh's communities. The Ob- in his next 50 years of service to God and to Season, a successful Christmas shopping server provides many neighborhoods with his community. marketing program designed to attract shop- timely information on important local affairs pers back to the downtown business district. and issues. This paper has helped to bring f Pittsburgh Cares, which is being honored for many of our communities together and to give its efforts to recruit and coordinate volunteers, voice to their concerns. A STAMP TO HONOR GOV. GEORGE including corporately sponsored groups, for All of these individuals and organizations CLINTON numerous and wide-ranging community serv- have made significant contributions to the peo- ice projects benefiting individuals, nonprofit or- ple and communities of Pittsburgh. Without ganizations, and neighborhoods throughout generous volunteers like these, the qualify of HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY the city of Pittsburgh. life in our city would be much lower. They de- OF NEW YORK The Overbrook Teen Council, which is being serve our thanks and commendation. I salute IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES honored for its many community service ef- their selfless service. forts, including service to senior citizens, f Thursday, January 4, 1996 young people, and the community at large, MONSIGNOR HARRY J. BYRNE, and for its efforts in support of a comprehen- Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, a renewed ef- J.C.D. ON THE 50TH ANNIVER- sive flood control project along Saw Mill Run. fort is underway in New York State urging the Preservation Pittsburgh, which is being hon- SARY OF HIS PRIESTLY ORDINA- U.S. Postal Service to issue a postage stamp ored for the second year in a row for its efforts TION in memory of U.S. Vice President and Gov- to preserveÐand encourage the restoration ernor of New York, George Clinton. ofÐimportant buildings and landmarks in the HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY George Clinton was the ``George Washing- city. Its most notable projects this year con- OF NEW YORK ton'' of New York. The State's first Governor, sisted of the Mary Schenley and Westing- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES he had a pivotal role in the transition of New house fountains in Oakland's Schenley Park. Thursday, January 4, 1996 York to a State from a colony. As a patriot, cit- Mr. Randy Gilson, a resident of the Mexican izen-soldier, and military strategist, he helped War Streets, for his leadership in beautification Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today write an important chapter in the American efforts on Pittsburgh's Northside, including the to bring to the attention of my colleagues the way for independence. creation of more than 40 community gardens achievements of Msgr. Harry J. Byrne, pastor Few realize today that George Clinton was and parklets, largely at his own expense. of Epiphany Parish, on this happy occasionÐ a monumental public figure and statesman The South Side Local Development Co., the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination. who went on to serve terms as Vice President which is being honored for its successful 10- Monsignor Byrne has played an extraordinary under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. year effort to revitalize the Carson Street role in my community, both in civic and in spir- He is the only Vice President in U.S. history shopping district, its community planning and itual matters. to serve in that position under two separate housing development efforts, and for its advo- The Monsignor entered St. Joseph's Semi- administrations. cacy efforts on behalf of Monongahela nary in 1940, was ordained on December 1, riverfront development and enforcement of 1945, and later went on to complete a doctoral The Militia Association of New York, a de- local zoning ordinances. degree in Canon Law at the Catholic Univer- fense advocacy group representing over 2,000 The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, which is sity of America, in our Nation's capital. New York Army and Air National Guard and being honored for its role in creating the Squir- After holding varied positions with the Arch- State militia component officers, and many rel Hill Citizens Patrol, an all-volunteer public diocesan Chancery, Monsignor Byrne was ap- other New Yorkers, are asking the U.S. Postal safety organization that patrols neighborhood pointed Chancellor in 1968. Through his work Service to issue the stamp on July 26, 1999, streets and reports illegal and suspicious ac- with the Archdioces, he was part of an enor- on the occasion of the 260th birthday of Gov- tivity to local police authorities. mously successful project under which $300 ernor Clinton. Mr. Speaker, I urge my col- This year, the Observer's Humanitarian million low and moderate income housing leagues and fellow citizens to join us in this Award goes to Mr. Stanley Frankowski, who is units were constructed. worthwhile effort. E 20 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 4, 1996 NOTING THE PASSING OF MRS. brother, Charles Jones, and her grandchildren; will be given encouragement and assistance in RUBIE J. MCCULLOUGH William C. III, David, Stacey, and Morgan obtaining jobs and education. It will prevent McCullough. She also leaves to mourn a num- abuse of the welfare system, by placing a life- HON. LOUIS STOKES ber of nieces and nephews, many other rel- time limit on benefits. Welfare was never OF OHIO atives and a host of loving friends. God has meant to be a way of life. This bill returns wel- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES called Rubie McCullough home to rest, but fare to the short-term assistance plan it was she will always be in our hearts. always meant to be. Thursday, January 4, 1996 f I urge the President to fulfill his campaign Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pledge to ``end welfare as we know it'' by sign- sadness that I announce the passing of Mrs. CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4, ing this bill. Without these reforms, the cycle Rubie Jones McCullough on December 27, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND of poverty that has afflicted so many for the 1995. I joined members of the McCullough WORK OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1995 past three decades will only continue. This family, Rubie's many friends, and members of compromise is a win for children, a win for SPEECH OF the Greater Cleveland community, in celebrat- those trapped in a failed system, and a win for ing the life of Rubie McCullough at homegoing HON. PETER G. TORKILDSEN taxpayers. services on January 2, 1996. The passing of OF MASSACHUSETTS f this dedicated individual brings to a close a life IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES committed to serving others. I rise in order to CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY Thursday, December 21, 1995 share with my colleagues some information re- ACT OF 1995 garding this distinguished individual. Mr. TORKILDSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Rubie was born in Enfield, NC, on July 16, strongly support this compromise legislation. I HON. J.D. HAYWORTH 1918, to the late Arthur and Corrina Jones. voted against the original House-passed wel- OF ARIZONA She received her education in North Carolina, fare package, and received a fair amount of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES including a degree in teaching business ad- criticism for it. But that original package need- ministration from North Carolina Central Uni- ed to be changed, especially in two key areas. Thursday, January 4, 1996 versity. Early in her career, she taught school The original bill attempted to turn child nutri- Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in North Carolina. Rubie McCullough came to tion programs, such as school lunch and WIC, to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2727, Cleveland in 1945, where she began a 23- into block grants. Additionally, it completely the Congressional Responsibility Act of 1955. year association with the Phillis Wheatley As- eliminated the social safety net for legal immi- The Congressional Responsibility Act cor- sociation. The organization benefited from her grants. rects a serious violation of the Constitution: strong leadership and commitment to serving The Senate-House compromise bill address- Article I, section 1 states that ``All legislative others. It was also during this period that es these concerns in this final bill. Specifically, powers herein granted shall be vested in a Rubie met and married her loving partner and the nutrition block-grant proposal has been Congress.'' The section, moreover, makes companion, William (Ted) McCullough. eliminated: WIC will continue to be a sepa- clear that this legislative power includes the Mr. Speaker, in 1968, Rubie McCullough rately funded program, one that works well in power to regulate. Congress, however, rou- undertook one of her greatest challenges. In providing early childhood nutrition and edu- tinely delegates this authority to unelected bu- response to the community's need for youth cation for both children and their parents. reaucrats. The Congressional Responsibility services, including tutoring and counseling The compromise bill will also continue to Act will stop delegation by requiring Congress programs, she founded the Harvard Commu- allow legal immigrants to receive benefits that to approve Federal regulations. nity Services Center. Over the years, with the their tax dollars pay for. While States will have Americans are disillusioned with Govern- support of the business and civic community, to agree, the language in the compromise bill ment. They believe, in particular, that Con- the center expanded to include senior services is a substantial improvement over the original gress, designed to be the most accountable and programs to assist families. Mrs. language. branch of Government, has grown increasingly McCullough served as executive director of This welfare reform bill also includes the unresponsive and unaccountable. the Harvard Community Services Center from strongest child support enforcement provisions As usual, the American people are correct. its inception until her retirement in 1989. Rubie ever enacted by the Federal Government. Government is less accountable than it was McCullough also maintained her strong com- Child support checks often mean the dif- the first 150 years of the Republic. Beginning mitment to education. Cuyahoga Community ference between self-sufficiency and depend- in the late 1930's, the Federal Government re- College prospered under her leadership of the ency on welfare. With this bill, we are sending treated from the fundamental constitutional board of trustees for 21 years. She ap- a clear message that it is never acceptable to principle that vests lawmaking power solely proached the assignment with the highest abandon your children, and if you do, the pen- with the people's elected representatives. level of commitment and dedication. alties will be severe. An elemental principle of representative During her lifetime, Rubie J. McCullough I am proud to have sponsored a provision in government is political accountability: The earned the respect and admiration of her col- this bill that will prevent parents from hiding public's right to hold elected officials respon- leagues and others throughout the community. assets in other States, while neglecting to pay sible for the laws imposed upon them. This is She was a social activist whose stature rests the child support payments they are legally, especially important today, as government has upon a lifetime of commitment to service, so- and morally, required to make. My provision assumed an increasingly larger role in the cial justice, equality and opportunity for all will allow a custodial parent to place a lien on lives of Americans. But good government suf- people. Rubie was the recipient of numerous a delinquent parent's asset, without having to fers, liberty diminishes, and bad laws pro- awards and honors which recognized her travel from State to State. In this provision, liferate when the link between voter and elect- commitment and dedication to service. property liens will be given ``full faith and cred- ed official is severed. Mr. Speaker, her obituary stated that Rubie it'' in every State, forcing parents to meet their The Framers of our Constitution understood McCullough was, ``a wife, mother, grand- moral and financial responsibilities. this danger and wisely followed John Locke's mother, sister and friend, whose life mirrored The Personal Responsibility Act gives admonition that ``the legislative cannot transfer service, commitment and dedication to God States and localities the necessary flexibility to the power of making law to any other hands.'' and mankind.'' These words describe an indi- implement innovative approaches to serving In practice, however, Congress routinely vidual who was a close friend and supporter. those in need. States will have the option to delegates its lawmaking duties to politically Those of us who were the beneficiaries of her choose from a number of policy suggestions unaccountable bureaucrats who craft regula- unselfish devotion will miss our colleague and set forth in this bill, including requiring mothers tions with the full force of law. From clean air confidant. She was a woman of intellect and under 18 to attend school and live with an to savings and loans, past Congresses have dignity, and she was very special to all who adult, and denying additional cash benefits to ceded responsibility for lawmaking to bureau- knew her. those mothers who have children while receiv- cratic fiat. Delegation gives life to bad laws. I take this opportunity to express my sym- ing benefits. The Governor of my home State, Such laws would not stand a chance in bright, pathy to Rubie's loving husband of 47 years, Bill Weld, has a bold welfare reform plan open sunshine, but they can slip by in the William (Ted) McCullough, her son William C. which cannot be fully implemented, until this dark, without widespread support or delibera- McCullough, Jr., and her daughter-in-law, bill becomes law. tion. Carolyne. I also extend deepest sympathy to This bill represents the end of welfare as we For example, in 1972, the Clean Water Act Rubie's sister, Lucinda Jones Smith, her know it. People trapped in the current system granted the Corps of Engineers authority to January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 21 regulate areas adjacent to, or connected to, was fined $5,000 and sentenced to 3 years in the normal legislative process. The bill pro- navigable waters. Over time, however, Federal jail. Pozsgai's only crime: dumping dirt without vides that Federal regulations will not take ef- regulations have been extended to include permission. fect unless passed by a majority of Represent- even isolated wetlands with no connection to Delegation also permits Congress to grant atives and Senators and signed by the Presi- navigable waterways. This is clearly a case of favors without imposing costs and to exercise dentÐor a veto is overridden. This concept regulations going far beyond the scope of stat- selective power without taking responsibility was offered by Justice Stephen BreyerÐbe- utory language; in fact, the word ``wetlands'' for its consequences. Like budget deficits, fore his appointment to the Supreme CourtÐ does not appear in the 1972 Clean Water Act. Congress is able to reap the benefits of its lar- as a method to satisfy ``* * * the literal word- This law, which was originally created to gess, but avoid blame for its costs. Moreover, ing of the Constitution's bicameral and presen- prohibit the discharge of pollutants into water. delegation allows powerful special interests to tation clauses ** *'' It was used, however, used to prosecute John expand substantial resources in private to This reform is ideologically neutral and non- Pozsgai of Morrisville, PA. Pozsgai cleaned up benefit the few at the expense of the many. partisan. Concerns about delegation have a 14-acre dump site he purchased to expand With delegation, Congress can be everything been voiced by people from across the politi- his truck repair business. Although Federal to all people, but, ultimately, it is the people cal spectrum, including Judge Robert Bork regulators may have been happy to see the who lose. and ACLU president, Nadine Strossen. I hope junk hauled away, when Pozsgai leveled The Congressional Responsibility Act cor- that my colleagues who are committed to re- about 5 acres with clean fill dirt, the EPA took rects these abuses by requiring agency regu- storing the public's right to hold its elected offi- him to court because it said the dump he lations to be presented to Congress for a vote, cials responsible for their actions will support cleaned up was really a valuable wetland. He either under expedited procedures or through this important legislation. Thursday, January 4, 1996 Daily Digest

HIGHLIGHTS Senate agreed to further continuing appropriations. Senate Chamber Action Messages From the House: Page S66 Communications: Page S66 Routine Proceedings, pages S35–S72 Measures Introduced: One resolution was intro- Statements on Introduced Bills: Pages S66±67 duced, as follows: S.J. Res. 46. Page S66 Additional Cosponsors: Page S67 Measures Passed: Additional Statements: Pages S67±71 Further Continuing Appropriations: Senate Recess: Senate convened at 11 a.m., and recessed at passed H.J. Res. 153, making further continuing ap- 5:54 p.m., until 11 a.m., on Friday, January 5, propriations for the fiscal year 1996, clearing the 1996. (For Senate’s program, see the remarks of the measure for the President. Page S36 Majority Leader in today’s Record on pages S71–72.) Nominations Received: Senate received the follow- ing nominations: Stuart E. Eizenstat, of Maryland, to be Under Sec- Committee Meetings retary of Commerce for International Trade. Page S72 No committee meetings were held. h House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Chamber Action Speaker wherein he designates Representative Bills Introduced: 9 public bills, H.R. 2842–2850; LaHood to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. and 4 resolutions, H.J. Res. 156 and H. Res. Page H93 331–333 were introduced. Page H187 Interior Appropriations: By a yea-and-nay vote of Reports Filed: Reports were filed as follows: 239 yeas to 177 nays, Roll No. 5, the House sus- H.R. 2130, to amend the Farm Credit Act of tained the President’s veto of H.R. 1977, making 1971 to improve the efficiency and operation of the appropriations for the Department of the Interior Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation in order and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep- better to ensure that farmers, ranchers and rural tember 30, 1996 (two-thirds of those present not home owners will have access to a stable and com- voting to override. Subsequently, the message and petitive supply of mortgage credit now and in the the bill were referred to the Committee on Appro- future, amended (H. Rept. 104–446, Part I); and priations). Pages H111±20 H. Res. 334, providing for consideration of a mo- Earlier, agreed to the Regula motion to discharge tion to dispose of the Senate amendment to H.R. the Committee on Appropriations from further con- 1643, to authorize the extension of nondiscrim- sideration of the veto of the bill by a voice vote. inatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to Pages H98±H111 the products of Bulgaria (H. Rept. 104–447). Recess: House recessed at 11:16 p.m. and recon- Pages H185±86 vened at 11:40 p.m. D 6 January 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D 7

Senate Messages: Message received from the Senate MFN STATUS FOR BULGARIA today appears on page H111. Committee on Rules: Granted a rule providing that it Quorum Calls—Votes: One yea-and-nay vote de- will be in order to take from the Speaker’s table veloped during the proceedings of the House today H.R. 1643, to authorize the extension of non- and appears on page H120. There were no quorum discriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treat- calls. ment) to the products of Bulgaria, with the Senate Adjournment: Met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at amendment, and consider in the House the motion 11:41 p.m. printed in the Rules Committee report accompany- ing the rule. The rule provides that the Senate Committee Meetings amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the ENERGY DEPARTMENT TRAVEL EXPENDITURES motion. The rule provides one hour of general debate on the motion, equally divided between the chair- Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight man and ranking minority member of the Commit- and Investigations held a hearing on the Department tee on Appropriations. The rule provides that the of Energy: Travel Expenditures and Related Issues. previous question is considered as ordered on the Testimony was heard from Victor Rezendes, Direc- motion to final adoption without intervening motion tor, Energy Issues, GAO. or demand for a division of the question. Testimony HAITI was heard from Representative Jackson-Lee. Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on f Haiti: Human Rights and Police Issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Depart- COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, ment of State: Robert S. Gelbard, Assistant Sec- JANUARY 5, 1996 retary, International Narcotics and Legal Affairs; and Senate James Dobbins, Special Coordinator for Haiti; and the following officials of the Department of Justice: No committee meetings are scheduled. Bill Perry, Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal In- House vestigative Division, FBI; and Seth Waxman, Associ- ate Deputy Attorney General. No committee meetings are scheduled. D 8 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST January 4, 1996

Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 11 a.m., Friday, January 5 10 a.m., Friday, January 5

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Friday: After the transaction of any morn- Program for Friday: Consideration of the President’s ing business (not to extend beyond 12 Noon), Senate may veto of H.R. 2099, VA, HUD Appropriations for fiscal consider conference reports, if available, and any cleared year 1996; and legislative and executive business. Consideration, if available, of the President’s veto of H.R. 4, Personal Responsibility Act of 1995.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Hayworth, J.D., Ariz., E20 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E14 Hinchey, Maurice D., N.Y., E19 Roth, Toby, Wis., E14 Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, E17 Kleczka, Gerald D., Wis., E15 Stokes, Louis, Ohio, E20 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E16 Klink, Ron, Pa., E16 Stump, Bob, Ariz., E17 Collins, Cardiss, Ill., E13 McDermott, Jim, Wash., E17 Torkildsen, Peter G., Mass., E20 Coyne, William J., Pa., E13, E16, E18 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E14, E19 Torricelli, Robert G., N.J., E15 Edwards, Chet, Tex., E15 Montgomery, G.V. (Sonny), Miss., E18 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E13 Hamilton, Lee H., Ind., E17 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E15

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