[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         A TO Z IS PHONY REFORM

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the A to Z bill is being touted as reform 
legislation, but it is nothing of the kind. A to Z is phony reform. It 
is a bill that would limit congressional debate and thwart the public 
will.
  The 56-hour debate limit of A to Z would mean that amendments could 
be voted on without serious debate or considered review. The result 
would be disastrous for this institution and this country.
  By circumventing the committee system, A to Z would mean Congress 
would be forced to vote on legislation without the benefit of any 
public hearings. The committee process is designed to give citizens a 
voice in public policy debate. A government of, by and for the people 
cannot function if it ignores the people--that is what A to Z does.
  Last year, this Congress passed the largest deficit reduction package 
in history--500 billion dollars' worth. This year, the most important 
action this Congress can take to put our fiscal house in order is to 
reform our health care system. If A to Z backers want to work for real 
reform then they should roll up their sleeves and do the tough work on 
health care reform, not take the easy way out. Real reform, not phony 
reform.

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