[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  UNFUNDED MANDATE REFORM ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 19, 1995

       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. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of 
H.R. 5, the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995.
  The message from last November's elections is that the American 
people want a smaller, less intrusive Federal Government. The election 
was a ringing endorsement of our Republican Contract With America, 
which under the Job Creation and Wage Enhancement Act promises 
significant government reforms and the elimination of unfunded Federal 
mandates passed on to State and local governments.
  On the first day of this 104th Congress, we delivered on our 
commitment in the contract to reduce the cost of running our own House, 
eliminate the number of congressional committees and staff, and make 
our daily business more open and representative of those we are elected 
to serve. Later in January we enacted the Congressional Accountability 
Act to ensure that the Congress lives under the same laws that are 
imposed on all other Americans. And last week we approved and sent to 
the Senate a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, a 
cornerstone of the contract that will force the Federal Government to 
balance its revenues and expenditures.
  After more than 3 weeks of open debate and the consideration of 150 
amendments, we fulfill another contract pledge. That is to end the 
growing practice of Congress passing mandates onto State and local 
governments without passing along the required Federal funding to carry 
out these mandates.
  Congress, with increasing frequency has passed more and more 
legislation that takes power away from the people and concentrates it 
in the hands of Federal bureaucrats in Washington who promulgate 
countless new regulations and requirements. When the cost of this big 
government started to become too
 expensive, Congress continued to enact burdensome legislation but 
dumped the cost in the laps of State and local governments.

  The balanced budget amendment we passed last month will protect 
tomorrow's generation from paying for today's government. The 
legislation we consider today protects the taxpayers of our States from 
having to do the same.
  It is estimated that the unfunded Federal mandates passed during past 
sessions of Congress will cost our States and cities hundreds of 
billions of dollars unless Congress acts. In Florida, mandates in 
certain Medicaid regulations, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the 
Safe Drinking Water Act, the National Voter Registration Act, and 
others, cost our State taxpayers almost $1 billion a year. In fact, in 
1993 alone, State and local governments in Florida were forced to pay 
almost $900 million to illegal aliens as a direct result of the Federal 
Government's shoddy implementation of its contradictory immigration 
laws. By passing the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act, we answer the call of 
Americans wanting less bureaucracy, less regulation, and more fairness 
in their lives.
  Through legislation I have supported, our Nation has made great 
strides in protecting our environment, expanding access to public 
facilities to those with disabilities, increasing workplace safety, and 
educating our children. The Unfunded Mandate Reform Act does not 
prohibit Congress from considering future legislation with equally 
noble goals, it simply will alert our colleagues in the House and the 
Governors and State Legislators of our States of the impact it will 
have on the States and on State treasuries.
  Certainly when Congress chooses to act on an issue worthy of Federal 
law and national attention, it should also provide the funding to 
implement the policy, not pass the buck to the States.
  Our colleagues in the other body have already acted to lift the net 
of Federal regulation that has covered our country. It is my hope this 
House will do the same, and that the President will keep his promise to 
sign comprehensive mandate reform legislation into law. Congress must 
respond to the people's call for a smaller, less intrusive government, 
and restore balance and fairness to our unique Federal system. Fairness 
dictates that Congress cover the cost of implementing the laws it 
passes by prohibiting the shifting of those costs to State and local 
governments.


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