[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          CRIME BILL TOUGH ON TAXPAYERS AND SOFT ON CRIMINALS

  (Mr. GRAMS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. Speaker, $270 million to fund arts and crafts and 
dance programs? Another $100 million for tutoring and job placement 
initiatives? And $40 million for midnight basketball leagues?
  Sound like the budget for the Departments of Health and Human 
Services? Housing and Urban Development?
  Wrong. Believe it or not, this is Congress' latest idea for a crime 
bill. And there is even more pork and wasteful Government spending yet 
to come.
  Nine billion dollars, in fact. Tutoring centers. Revenue sharing.
  But hardly a word about closing the loopholes that allow death row 
inmates to escape capital punishment or ensuring that other criminals 
serve out their full sentences.
  The bill is tough, but tough on taxpayers and soft on criminals, 
giving them special treatment rather than punishment for their crimes. 
Mr. Speaker, just as he lost on the failed stimulus package last year, 
President Clinton will find this a tough sell with the American 
taxpayer this year.
  President Clinton said over the weekend no one should play political 
games with our Nation's safety. He called for a shoot out at high noon 
on this bill. I agree. Let us pull this bill apart and let the taxpayer 
get a good look at what political favors the President can buy for $33 
billion.

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