[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               SLOW DOWN ON UNFUNDED MANDATES LEGISLATION

  (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, this week the House will consider unfunded 
mandate legislation, H.R. 5. It is a proposal that admittedly has very 
popular support, and I as a former government official understand what 
it is about. But I am compelled to ask, what is the rush? The bill will 
be voted on without the benefit of hearings.
  The committee met last week, where people asked a number of questions 
that were not answered. The sponsors refused to have these questions 
answered. Yet the committee has been unable to tell us certainly 
whether this will cover civil rights, how will the disabled be 
protected, how will environmental laws be protected. In fact, we are 
yet to define what an unbalanced mandate is.
  We need to know these things. Different opinions about the coverage 
is expected, but certainly we should have a debate. We are going to 
eliminate the Federal laws that protect health care and clean water. 
Should you not let people know? I urge that we should not rush without 
a debate.

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