[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         DEMOCRATS' 3-D STRATEGY TO THWART CONGRESSIONAL REFORM

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                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I was very distressed to read earlier this 
week that the Speaker is now talking about putting off consideration of 
the bipartisan congressional reform bill until later this summer, if 
then, and that he may even agree to splitting it up into several 
measures. Moreover, I have learned that the Rules Committee will 
probably come out with a chairman's mark for amendment purposes that 
will water down the joint reform committee's work considerably.
  Mr. Speaker, I think the writing is on the wall as to what is going 
on here. It seems evident to me that the Democrat leadership is 
adopting a 3-D strategy to thwart congressional reform. The 3-D's stand 
for divide, dilute, and delay.
  Unlike the old 3-D movies where you wore special glasses so that 
things would seem to jump out at you from the screen, the Democrats' 3-
D policy is one of wearing blinders when it comes to recognizing and 
addressing the internal problems that beset this Congress--all in the 
hope that they disappear from the screen.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no reason for us not to pass a strong 
congressional reform bill this spring before we take up the 
appropriations and health bills on the floor.
  Everyone knows that the closer we get to adjournment the more excuse 
the leadership will have either to avoid allowing for amendments to 
strengthen the bill, or for even taking up the bill at all. Let's not 
try to kid ourselves or the American people that this place ain't broke 
and don't need fixing. The voters know better and will tell us so at 
the polls in November if we don't set about cleaning our own House now.

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