[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]

 
                          FAMILY HEALTH FIRST

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a lot of words have been spilled on 
the House floor about the importance of family, about quality time with 
children, about making Congress family-friendly.
  Apparently, Congress puts families first in theory, but not in 
practice. We would rather sound good than act right.
  Because the House leadership wants a vote on the health care plan, 
they have pushed back the summer recess until the third week of August. 
House leaders may not have school-aged children but dozens of other 
Members of Congress do. Since school activities resume in August, that 
means very short or no summer family vacations.
  If we are going to vote on health care, let us set aside artificial 
deadlines, give Congress time to consider the legislation and the 
American people time to find out what is in it. A good health care plan 
next month is better than a bad plan this month.
  Honoring the scheduled 2-week August recess and giving health care 
the scrutiny it deserves will do more for family health than hasty 
debate and rushed votes.
  Who knows, if Congress practiced what it preached about families, 
maybe it would get a cleaner bill of health from the American people.

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