[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 128 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TIME TO END WELFARE FOR LOBBYISTS

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, I stand in support of the Istook-McIntosh-
Ehrlich grant reform amendment. This amendment in the Labor-HHS-
Education appropriations bill would put a stop to the Federal 
Government subsidizing political advocacy groups.
  We want to stop the welfare for lobbyists. These are the groups that 
feed at the Government trough, complaining that if we take away their 
funds, we take away their first amendment rights. They call this the 
``nonprofit gag order.'' They say, ``Without our advocacy voice, 
nonprofits will no longer be able to share their insights with 
policymakers.''
  I tell my colleagues, there are plenty of advocacy groups and 
nonprofit educational research institutes who share insights without 
using taxpayers' dollars and without using your money. Besides that, 
constituents are free to visit or can come and call on me, or any of my 
fellow Congressmen, and share their thoughts; they just cannot send the 
phone bill or the airline bill to us and our neighbors.
  Madam Speaker, that is exactly what happens when we have welfare for 
lobbyists. I encourage my colleagues to pass the Istook-McIntosh-
Ehrlich Federal grant reform amendment. It is the right thing to do.


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