[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 31, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    CHANGING BUSINESS AS USUAL--PUTTING AN END TO UNFUNDED MANDATES

  (Mr. JONES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, we were elected to represent the people of 
our districts, and that means changing business as usual. Changing 
business as usual means no more unfunded mandates.
  Every community in America is suffering at the hands of Congress. 
Currently, State and local governments must comply with 185 Federal 
mandates. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 
in 1993 alone more than 150 new mandates were introduced in Congress.
  How can a community that spends approximately 13 percent of its 
revenue on these mandates afford to finance everyday priorities? 
Communities are being forced to postpone public safety programs and 
programs for children and senior citizens. They have reached their 
limit and have started fighting back. Some are even challenging 
Congress' authority to impose these mandates, and others are simply 
refusing to comply.
  Mr. Speaker, let us join the fight and pass the unfunded mandate 
reform legislation for the good of our country.

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