[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 73 (Monday, June 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                E X T E N S I O N   O F   R E M A R K S


IF WE WAIVE BUDGET RULES FOR GATT, THEN WE SHOULD WAIVE THEM FOR HEALTH 
              BILL WHICH ALSO INVESTS IN FUTURE OF AMERICA

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 1994

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, a number of people are raising the idea of 
waiving the budget rules in order to pass the GATT Uruguay round 
agreement. The administration estimates that implementation of the 
treaty will cost about $14 billion over 5 years and $40 billion over 10 
years. Press reports indicate that the administration has only found 
about $3.4 billion in savings to pay for the legislation.
  Thus proponents argue that since the treaty will lead to so much 
expansion in world trade that it will more than pay for itself in a 
healthier economy, increased employment, and increased tax collections, 
that we should therefore not worry about the $14 billion.
  Fine with me. But what's good for the goose should be good for the 
gander.
  In the health bill, we are offering amendments for preventive health, 
for more mammograms, colorectal screening, for immunizations for 
children, for first dollar well-baby care, and on and on.
  We should waive the budget rules for these programs too.
  Can anyone argue that having healthier people, cutting down the 
number of assembly line sick days, and saving trained workers from 
early death won't help the economy, won't make America more productive, 
won't help us compete better in the world economy?
  Good health care for all Americans is as good investment in the 
economy as lower tariffs on our exports.
  Waive on!

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