[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 13 (Monday, January 23, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H484-H485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       LET'S HELP OUT OUR STATES

  (Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise an extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, today the House continues 
debate on H.R. 5, a bill which will provide for the examination of past 
and future unfunded mandates and regulations, imposed on State and 
local governments, as well as the private sector.
  This bill has the potential to be one of the greatest legislative 
relief bills for our State and local governments in recent memory. H.R. 
5's mandate commission will review and make recommendations on 
modifying, terminating, or suspending current unfunded mandates.
  The focal point of this issue is not how well-intentioned or 
constructive these unfunded mandates are--the real issue here is paying 
for these constructive ideas. It is a matter of fiscal responsibility 
and control.
  [[Page H485]] Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government has created a sea 
of redtape and an ocean of mandates that are drowning our States and 
communities, and past attempts to break the tide simply have not 
worked.
  The bill has broad, bipartisan support at all levels of government, 
and the private sector. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5, an 
oppose any amendments that would weaken the thrust of this legislation.

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