[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 2, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FAITH IN CONGRESS RESTORED
(Mr. WELLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, for the past 3 weeks, I have been traveling
around my district and the one message my constituents relayed was by
keeping our promises through the Contract With America, the Republican
majority is working to restore the long, lost faith the American people
have in Congress.
This message is clearly reflected in the recent Wall Street Journal
poll. For the first time in this poll's history, a majority of
Americans approve of the job Congress is doing. In fact, just last
September, this same poll showed two-thirds of the American people
disapproving of the liberal Democrat Congress that preceded us.
Mr. Speaker, the message is ringing loud and clear: The Republican
majority has led to a different Congress. Through hard work we have
proved that politicians can keep their promises. My constituents tell
me they like what they see, and I will continue to make sure that we
stay on the same track and keep our promises.
Mr. Speaker, I include the Wall Street Journal poll for the Record.
[From the Wall Street Journal, April 28, 1995]
Washington Wire--A Special Weekly Report From The Wall Street Journal's
Capital Bureau
(By Ronald G. Shafer)
Clinton shows renewed political muscle in the Oklahoma City
aftermath.
Buoyed at least temporarily by his handling of the bombing,
he edges Dole in a 1996 matchup in a new Wall Street Journal/
NBC News poll, a reversal from recent surveys. He is
preferred handily over Gramm or Wilson. The gap over Dole
widens slightly when Perot or Powell are added as
independents; they cut into GOP support more than Democratic.
Clinton scraps plans to discuss Russia in a Sunday speech.
Instead he will highlight two perceived policy strengths by
linking his new crusade against terrorism and longstanding
efforts toward Mideast peace. On Monday, he will help kick
off a $10 million drive by Emily's List, a women's political
group, to get Democratic women to the polls in 1996.
Gender gap: In their matchup, Clinton gets a 14-percentage
point edge among women, while Dole has an 11-point edge among
men.
Dole holds firm as the GOP front-runner as Gramm fails to
catch fire.
Dole is favored by 58% of Republicans and strict
independents as the GOP presidential hopeful, far ahead of
No. 2 Gramm at 14%. If Powell is added as a GOP choice, he
surpasses Gramm as second behind Dole. The public shows a
strong interest in independent candidates, with over a
quarter of those polled picking such alternatives when
offered the choice in matchups.
Some GOP social conservatives, disillusioned that Gramm
doesn't give more attention to their issues and distrustful
of Dole, consider endorsing Buchanan. The Alexander campaign,
trying to rub in Gramm's difficulties, sends the Texan's
campaign an express package consisting of a life preserver
labeled: USS Gramm.
The GOP Congress wins high marks, but backing on issues is
shaky.
For the first time ever in the poll, a majority of
Americans--47% to 40%--approves of the job Congress is doing;
by contrast, two-thirds disapproved last September. House
Speaker Gingrich wins 45%-36% approval, reversing previous
negative views. The public cites Gingrich's positions on
issues as his best attribute--but about as many disagree with
his views as agree.
The favorable ratings may temporarily reflect the GOP
House's first 100 days, says Democrat Peter Hart, who
conducted the poll with Republican Robert Teeter. Americans
by 48% to 37% think Republicans will go too far on welfare
overhaul. By 47% to 43% they favor government education and
training programs to aid inner cities over private
initiatives as pushed by the GOP.
Combating street crime and violence is the issue that needs
the greatest attention from the federal government, the
public says.
Dole's age: While 65% of the public don't think the 71-
year-old senator's age would affect his ability to be
president, just 18% prefer a candidate from the World War II
generation and only 1% think the 70s is the best age for a
president. Two in five older Americans feel Dole would be
less able to handle the presidency.
Moscow mission: Aides seek ways to promote Clinton's May
trip to Russia at a time when relations are cooling. One
idea: Clinton writes a letter to leading columnists
explaining the bigger issues at stake, like nuclear
disarmament. Some 46% of the public approves of his handling
of foreign policy, up from 37% last month.
Vietnam revisited: Americans by 70% to 22% think the U.S.
made a mistake in sending troops to fight in Vietnam. Those
who think so are evenly divided over whether it was a well-
intentioned mistake or fundamentally wrong and immoral.
Shaky confidence? Despite a surge of optimism picked up by
some other polls, only 24% of those in this survey expect the
economy to get better over the next year. That is down
sharply from 31% at the end of last year and the lowest
reading since October 1993.
Tax overhaul? Yes. Flat tax? Not so fast.
Two-thirds of poll respondents say the current income-tax
system is unfair. And 51% back a ``complete overhaul,'' up
from 37% last July, a sign that the tax-reform debate
resonates with the public. But by a three-to-two margin, the
public favors graduated rates to a single flat rate; even
self-identified Republicans do so.
Some Clinton aides predict the GOP tax-overhaul push could
go the way of the president's health-care plan: Applause for
the motives and unceasing complaints from likely losers. The
administration tries to attack GOP proposals without
appearing to defend the status quo. One possibility: A push
for simplification.
The public strongly prefers taxing wage and investment
income equally; the GOP favors lower taxes on investment
income to encourage saving.
Minor memos: Foul mood: Only 40% of Americans call
themselves Major League baseball fans, down sharply from 56%
in July before the baseball strike with a big drop among
young adults. * * * Was Sen. D'Amato polled? The public by
31% to 25% has a positive view of Simpson trial Judge Lance
Ito, while 26% are judiciously neutral.
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