[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 51 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: May 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
MEMBERS URGED TO SIGN THE A TO Z DISCHARGE PETITION
(Mr. ZELIFF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ZELIFF. Mr. Speaker, the A to Z debate is a tale of two ways to
set budget policy. The leadership's way is the best of ways, and the
worst of ways.
The leadership claims that their way, is the best of ways for Members
to be fully informed before voting. Sure, remember how fully informed
we were, when we passed the FDIC-RTC $55 billion bailout, with no
copies of the legislation available?
The leadership's way of setting budget policy is also the worst of
ways, because it has given us a $4.5 trillion debt. Under the
leadership's way, no one is accountable for that $4.5 trillion debt.
Unlike the leadership's way, our A to Z way, lets Members vote on
specific spending cuts, specific entitlement cuts, and specific
authorization cuts, not pork laden packages.
The leadership claims our A to Z plan is flawed. We cannot guarantee
who the Speaker will recognize. It bypasses the committees that add the
pork, and Members will have to stand up and be counted, on each
specific spending cut.
No more business as usual. It is time for change. End the budget gag
rule. Sign the A to Z discharge petition tomorrow. It is the best of
ways.
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