[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            DISAPPROVAL OF HOUSE WAIVER OF 3-DAY REVIEW RULE

                                 ______


                         HON. HARRIS W. FAWELL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 1994

  Mr. FAWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my disapproval of the 
manner in which the House of Representatives considered two important 
pieces of legislation: the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill 
Conference Report and the Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 
1995. These measures were passed by the House late last evening with 
barely any debate, and in the case of the legislative branch 
appropriations bill, we increased spending on ourselves without a 
recorded vote.
  In my opinion, there is no more important decision facing Congress 
than how it spends the people's money. We owe it to the U.S. taxpayers 
to carefully review and deliberate each and every spending decision. 
Unfortunately, last night, the House waived its own rules requiring 
that all Members of Congress have 3 days to review bills prior to House 
floor consideration. These rules are intended to ensure that every 
Member of Congress has time to review legislation and draft amendments 
to improve or modify the measures. In waiving these rules and debating 
the defense appropriations bill for only 13 minutes, the House has 
disenfranchised Members of Congress from the legislative process.
  Despite my strong support for the defense of our Nation, I voted 
against the defense appropriation because of my disgust with the 
procedure by which it was approved. I frankly do not know many of the 
specific spending provisions of this bill, and am sure that the vast 
majority of Members of Congress do not know either.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not the way Congress should operate. Our 
constituents deserve accountability for the way we manage the Federal 
budget. Last night, we let them down.

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