[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      SET ASIDE PARTISAN INTERESTS

  (Mr. PENNY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENNY. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, on the first Friday in August, I 
announced my intention to retire from Congress.
  Part of my motivation was the fierce partisanship that now dominates 
our congressional behavior. It has not always been this way.
  Social Security was passed by overwhelming margins of support in both 
the Democratic and Republican caucuses. The Federal Highway Act of 
1956, a landmark bill, had nearly unanimous support from both Democrats 
and Republicans. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had substantial 
Democratic and Republican support. Even Medicare, the centerpiece of 
the Great Society, had the support of most Democrats and nearly half of 
all Republicans.
  Recent polls show that Americans are increasingly displeased with the 
performance of their national leadership. Maybe it is because today on 
so many issues, from the budget to health care, they see a partisan 
display instead of efforts to build a bipartisan consensus.
  History demonstrates the truly important issues know no party lines.
  Americans will once again respect their Government when they see 
political leaders setting aside partisan interests and, instead, 
working together for the national interest.

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