[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 112 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CONGRESS SHOULD LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE'S DESIRES ON CRIME AND HEALTH CARE 
                              LEGISLATION

  (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, last night the commonsense will of the 
American people prevailed as the so-called crime bill that was tough on 
taxpayers and soft on criminals was defeated.
  As the crime bill goes back to conference for a much-needed facelift, 
the debate will shift to health care, and this Congress should heed 
some important lessons from the crime bill spectacle.
  First, the American people do not like having their pockets picked. 
Just as the crime bill was a $9 billion social program pork fest, the 
Clinton-Gephardt health care bill contains 17 new taxes that Americans 
cannot afford, do not want, and will not tolerate.
  Second, the American people do not like having bad bills rammed 
through Congress. Believe it or not, the 900-page crime bill we voted 
on last night was given to us yesterday morning. And wouldn't you know, 
the 700-page Clinton-Gephardt plan was made available less than 2 days 
ago. Health care reform is the most significant issue we have dealt 
with in years and the White House and Democrat leadership were going to 
try to slip it through, just like the crime bill.
  Until last night, that is.
  Maybe now instead of picking the pockets of Americans and ramming a 
huge government-run health care plan through Congress, we will listen 
to what the people are saying, and pause, and craft, and pass targeted 
health care reforms.

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