[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICAN ENGINEERS INTERESTING RESPONSES

  (Mr. LINDER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, to watch the Democrat response to our 
contract with America is--shall we say--interesting. We are told that 
the costs are two high and that Republicans were forced to sign onto an 
agenda driven by our leadership.
  Both are wrong. But if I were faced with an agenda which had the 
overwhelming support of the American people I would be reluctant to 
take issue with the specifics too.
  Which of our issues is wrong? Do the Democrats not believe we should 
vote on a real balanced budget amendment? I guess so since they have 
successfully prevented that vote from coming to the floor.
  Do they not believe that the Nation needs legal reform? Do they think 
that a real crime bill is out of step with America? Do they believe 
that everything is just wonderful with our welfare system?
  No--they cannot take issue with the substance so they make up 
charges.
  The cost issue is, of course, made up of whole cloth. I never tire of 
seeing the Democrats repeat these outrageous statements with a straight 
face. It is a sight to behold. This proposal is only slightly different 
than the last Kasich budget which according to the CBO had more deficit 
reduction than the President's budget.
  I ask ``You remember the CBO; don't you?'' That is the estimating 
office that the President said is the only reliable source for numbers. 
But that was when he was selling his agenda.
  On the question of marching in lock step let me just observe that it 
was not Newt Gingrich marching Members to the well of the House 
yesterday to change their votes on the lobbying rule--it was the 
Democrat leadership. One by one--arm in arm--they were marched to the 
well to obey the leadership.
  Who is fooling whom?

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