[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
FOREIGN OPERATIONS GAG RULE DEMONSTRATES NEED FOR A TO Z SPENDING CUTS 
                                  PLAN

                                 ______


                      HON. WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, JR.

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 1994

  Mr. ZELIFF. Mr. Speaker, this House has been shut out of the process 
again.
  Legislation considered today, the foreign operations appropriations, 
has been brought up under a closed rule. That prohibits real debate and 
real votes on real spending cuts from A to Z. This House has not be 
allowed by its leadership to have any real input on spending priorities 
for America.
  This is precisely why we need the A to Z spending cuts plan. Members 
would be able to offer spending cuts, have them fully debated, and 
receive a rollcall vote on each spending cut.
  Under A to Z we could have real votes on real spending cuts that the 
Rules Committee bottled up. The Rules Committee has refused to allow us 
to debate or vote on the following amendments:
  A Solomon amendment to cut aid to the International Development 
Association by $211 million. Mr. Solomon represents 582,000 people 
whose voices cannot be heard because the leadership's gag rule turned 
down their Representative's amendment.
  A Traficant amendment to cut overall funding by 10 percent, $880 
million. Mr. Traficant represents 571,000 people whose voices cannot be 
heard because the leadership's gag rule turned down their 
Representative's amendment.
  A Klug amendment to cut the International Fund for Ireland by $9.6 
million. Mr. Klug represents 544,000 people whose voices cannot be 
heard because the leadership's gag rule turned down their 
Representative's amendment.
  A Burton amendment to cut Agency for International Development 
overhead expenses by $5 million. Mr. Burton represents 554,000 people 
whose voices cannot be heard because the leadership's gag rule turned 
down their Representative's amendment.
  A Crane amendment to cut our voluntary U.N. contribution. Mr. Crane 
represents 572,000 people whose voices cannot be heard because the 
leadership's gag rule turned down their Representative's amendment.
  A Hoyer amendment to ensure no funds are used to enforce the embargo 
on Bosnia. Mr. Hoyer represents 598,000 people whose voices cannot be 
heard because the leadership's gag rule turned down their 
Representative's amendment.
  A Goodling amendment to cut overall funding by $42 million. Mr. 
Goodling represents 566,000 people whose voices cannot be heard because 
the leadership's gag rule turned down their Representative's amendment.
  These spending cuts were worthy of consideration, but the Rules 
Committee chose to ignore them. The Rules Committee has chosen to 
ignore elected Members of this House, and the millions of Americans 
they represent. This is unacceptable.
  The A to Z spending cuts plan would allow us to trim the fat from the 
budget.
  It is painfully obvious that, in this case, the Foreign Operations 
Subcommittee and the Rules Committee have refused to let us have 
debate, and up and down votes, on these spending cuts.
  Those of you who are opposed to these types of business-as-usual gag 
rules should sign the A to Z discharge petition today.

                          ____________________