[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           BIG DISAPPOINTMENT

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, the crime bill conference report to be 
voted on this week is a big disappointment. The Wall Street Journal put 
it best in their editorial today:

       Members of Congress have finally found a way to make crime 
     pay: Use it as a pretext for funding their social welfare 
     programs.

  The American people believe the Government is too big and spends too 
much on wasteful programs. Nothing confirms this sentiment more than 
this crime bill conference report.
  Let me give a good example: $1.3 billion for drug courts. This money 
can be used to provide benefits to drug users, including child care, 
job placement, and vocational training. Question: Most working 
Americans who play by the ``rules'' and ``pay their taxes'' don't get 
guaranteed child care, job placement and vocational training, so why 
should drug users!
  Mr. Speaker, this conference report is unacceptable. I urge my 
colleagues to send this bill back to conference.

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