[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 109 (Tuesday, August 9, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      LET'S NOT RUSH HEALTH REFORM

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, the Democratic leadership has decided to 
push back the traditional August recess 1 week to give the Congress 
more time to vote on health care reform alternatives.
  Inside the beltway, this announcement has been met with groans from 
folks who have made vacation and other plans. The American people do 
not care much about the Congress being inconvenienced, though, since so 
often we are the ones inconveniencing them with higher taxes and more 
mandates.
  But the American people should be concerned about the real meaning 
behind this action: The Democrats want us to vote on health care before 
we get a chance to talk to our constituents.
  The reason is clear: The American people do not want what the 
Democrats are selling.
  I would challenge the Democrat leadership to come with a better 
explanation for why we must rush through this process. I do not expect 
them to meet my challenge.
  Mr. Speaker, political expediency does not equal good policy. Let us 
not rush health care reform.

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