[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 22 (Friday, February 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H1163-H1164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        GOOD NEWS FOR THE HOUSE

  (Mr. BAKER of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, a Washington Post-ABC news poll 
released last Monday contains good news for this House and better news 
for the country. In only 3 months public confidence in Congress has 
doubled from 26 to 46 percent, the largest increase of its kind in the 
20-year history of this poll. The majority of Americans 
[[Page H1164]] now say Congress can deal with the big issues our 
country faces. The majority of Americans also say Republicans are 
breaking down legislative gridlock and getting things done.
  We are making history, and we all know why. In last November's 
election Republicans, and a lot of Democrats, too, heard what the 
American people wanted, and they offered a written Contract for 
America. Open Congress to public scrutiny, balance the Federal budget, 
the line-item veto for the President, a stronger national defense and 
removing unfunded mandates from the backs of local and State 
governments are just the beginning of the contract. It is real change, 
and it is starting to overcome America's cynicism about their 
government.
  If anyone still needs proof that the Republican Party's Contract With 
America has given the American people hope, they need only look to the 
polls.

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