[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    WHAT IS IT LIKE TO FIGHT FOR DEFICIT REDUCTION FROM FIRST CLASS?

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, we have been working hard in the House for 
months to eliminate four Cabinet departments and balance the budget 
because we are serious about trimming the size of the Federal 
Government. We started with our own budget, cutting committees, cutting 
committee staff, and congressional mailings by a third. But we also 
believe it is time for the Cabinet to step up to the plate, and there 
is not a better place to start than the Department of Energy.
  Mr. Speaker, at committee hearings Energy Secretary O'Leary tells us 
that she cannot find even one more dollar to cut in her department. She 
says she wants to reform the Department of Energy. But in next year's 
budget she wants an additional $337 million and $360 million for 
travel.
  Well, the L.A. Times tells us the real story. Secretary O'Leary 
spends more on travel than any other member of the Clinton Cabinet. She 
is flying first Class at taxpayers' expense. She is staying in four-
star hotels, luxury hotels. I guess she thinks it is proper for 
taxpayers to foot the bill for her Robin Leach lifestyle.
  My question for the Secretary is: ``What's it like to fight for 
deficit reduction from first class?''

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