[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  UNFUNDED MANDATE REFORM ACT OF 1995

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                               speech of

                          HON. GARY A. FRANKS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 19, 1994

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5) to curb 
     the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on States 
     and local governments, to ensure that the Federal Government 
     pays the costs incurred by those governments in complying 
     with certain requirements under Federal statutes and 
     regulations, and to provide information on the cost of 
     Federal mandates on the private sector, and for other 
     purposes.
  Mr. FRANKS of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 5, the unfunded mandates reform act. H.R. 5 responds to the cries 
of State and local governments saddled with the financial 
responsibilities associated with unfunded mandates. We have a situation 
wherein the Government--meaning Congress as well as executive branch 
agenices--impose duties upon States and localities, while at the same 
time refusing to finance the cost of the regulations. Cities across the 
country continuously report on how their ability to govern and meet 
budgetary priorities is undermined by our increased tendency to dictate 
priorities to State and local governments. We must recognize that in a 
time when funds are limited, the entities most qualified to allocate 
those funds are the affected local communities.
  Opponents of H.R. 5 view the legislation as a mechanism by which 
current environmental; and public health laws will be gutted. However, 
I see this bill as an attempt to refocus our direction, recognizing 
that we cannot continue to usurp the authority of States and 
localities. H.R. 5 forces us to seriously consider the financial 
ramifications of the legislation we propose each year.
  H.R. 5 accomplishes the following: If it is determined that a bill 
contains an unfunded mandate a point of order could be raised on the 
House floor which can be waived with a majority vote. This accomplishes 
the following--for one, we are forced to go on record should we decide 
to impose an unfunded mandate on States and localities. Second, we are 
greater informed about the effect that our actions would have. I think 
that is reason enough for passage of this legislation and I would urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.




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