[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1158, EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL 
 APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AND RESCISSIONS FOR 
                            FISCAL YEAR 1995

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                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 1995
  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, last month, the Appropriations Committee 
met to consider offsets to pay for a $5.6 billion supplemental spending 
for the California earthquake relief. The committee cut more than $17.3 
billion, including $208 million for six veterans health clinics and 
other medical equipment. One of the clinics targeted for elimination is 
in my district of Gainesville, FL. Mr. Speaker, the immediate question 
that comes to mind is: To what will the remaining $12 billion rescinded 
from the appropriations bills be applied? Many theories have been 
advanced, but most of them certainly indicate that vital programs for 
children, the elderly, and other vulnerable citizens are being cut 
simply to provide tax breaks for the rich.
  I came to the floor today hoping to offer an amendment that would 
restore the $208 million rescinded from the veterans' health care 
budget, but because of the restrictive nature of this rule my amendment 
would be out of order.
  My amendment would have targeted six actual pork projects and cut 
down on wasteful Government spending, while protecting the security of 
veterans who in many cases have risked their lives in defense of this 
Nation. The six projects targeted in my amendment included unauthorized 
courthouses and a Tokamak Reactor Energy Program which would cost 
taxpayers $2.2 billion in the coming years.
  The six outpatient clinics that would have been restored by my 
amendment are a critical part of the VA's plan to move from delivering 
costly inpatient care to delivering cost-effective outpatient care. 
According to the VA officials in my district in Gainesville, existing 
space deficiencies currently prevent the medical center from offering 
care in a timely manner. These projects would provide better health 
care to more veterans at less cost to the taxpayer.
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Committee on Rules is not 
protecting the security of our vulnerable citizens. They are not 
interested in going after the real pork. The rule they have set 
provides for only further rescissions in what the Appropriations 
Committee considers pork, and not what the average American knows is 
pork and Government waste. Furthermore, they are denying Democratic 
Members the opportunity to offer amendments that would get the job 
done. Mr. Speaker, this issue really comes down to a matter of 
priorities: Are we going to forsake the many men and women who have 
risked their lives in defense of this Nation, simply to provide tax 
subsidies for the rich? I for one, will not retreat on the promise we 
have made our veterans, and I urge my colleagues to stand firm and 
oppose this gag rule.


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