[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 8 (Friday, January 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  UNFUNDED MANDATE REFORM ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 1995
  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I have joined Congressman Clinger in 
cosponsoring H.R. 5, the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995. This 
legislation is similar to legislation Congressman Jim Moran and I 
introduced in the 103d Congress. In 1993, the Fiscal Accountability and 
Intergovernmental Reform Act of 1993 [FAIR] was truly bipartisan 
legislation that would have made the U.S. Congress more accountable for 
its actions by curtailing the passage of unfunded Federal mandates. 
H.R. 5 goes further toward making this institution more accountable.
  The mandate madness of the past 20 years has caused States like 
Pennsylvania and local governments like the city of York, the boroughs 
of Gettysburg, and Carlisle and townships like Spingettsbury in 
Pennsylvania, increased headaches as they try to assess their 
obligations based upon their incoming tax revenues. Further, H.R. 5 
would ease the burden on the private sector by curtailing needless and 
excessive Federal agency redtape and regulation.
  The idea behind this legislation is simple, the U.S. Congress must 
become more accountable for its actions which, in some cases, have an 
adverse effect on States, local governments, and small businesses. For 
example, as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I 
consistently fought against legislation that would impose burdensome 
mandates on States, local governments, and small businesses. As 
chairman of the new Committee on Economic and Educational 
Opportunities, I will continue to do the same.
  In years past, my committee had jurisdiction over legislation to 
remove lead paint from the Nation's schools. I agreed with the sponsors 
that this is a high priority and that it should be done. However, the 
bill did not include provisions to pay for this legislation. It was 
understood that this legislation would be paid for through the 
appropriations process. I disagreed with this because I remember not 
too long ago that we proposed the same for asbestos removal and passed 
legislation providing for asbestos removal, but did not pass the 
dollars with the legislation. This type of unfunded mandate is one 
which handcuffs States, local governments, and small businesses by 
forcing them to spend their budgeted money on Federal mandates instead 
of their priorities.
  I must stress the idea behind H.R. 5 is not to impede legislation, 
rather it is to force the Congress to seriously consider the impact of 
any new legislation before the legislation is passed. It is a policy 
that the Congress must adopt to stop giving lip service to the idea of 
true reform.
  This legislation will improve the legislative process by requiring 
the Congressional Budget Office to study the impact on State, local 
governments, and the private sector of legislation reported out of 
committee for action on the House floor. This legislation would also 
require agencies, prior to the implementation of any rule or any other 
major Federal action affecting the economy, to perform an assessment of 
the economic impact of the proposed rule or action and seek public 
comment on the assessment.
  I believe this legislation has the key ingredients for passage. It 
sends the proper signal, an ideal good government mission which makes 
the Congress more accountable for its actions by studying the impacts 
of legislation before it is passed. This legislation has bipartisan 
support of Members in the House. I also believe this bill would signal 
an end to closed door agency policy decisions which hurt many States, 
local governments, and the private sector.
  I would like to commend House Government Reform and Oversight 
chairman, Bill Clinger, Congressman Condit, Congressman Portman and 
Congressman Davis for all their efforts in putting this legislation 
together. I believe this truly bipartisan legislation is long overdue 
and will work to see this legislation signed by the President.


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