[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 139 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   CRITICISM OF THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA DOESN'T PASS THE LAUGH TEST

  (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, the House Republican ``contract with 
America'' is a bold effort to change politics as usual. The American 
people are fed up with Congress. Why? Because Democrats in Washington 
do not listen to the American people.
  The contract with America is different than empty political promises. 
It is literally a contract with the American people that says: if you 
will give the Republicans the opportunity to lead Congress we will 
honor your trust by voting on the issues most important to you.
  Political promises are one thing, but a signal contract is quite 
another. The Republican contract with America scares the Democrats in 
Washington because it is different: the contract is for a balanced 
budget, a tough crime bill, real welfare reform, and term limits.
  Democrats claim that the contract with America will increase the 
deficit. Coming from the tax-and-spend party, this criticism doesn't 
pass the laugh test.
  Mr. Speaker, the fact is Democrats in Washington don't care about the 
deficit, they care about holding on to power.
  If the Democrats have a better plan than Republicans for America, let 
us see it.

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