[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 155 (Friday, October 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9741-H9742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE 
          PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 104-122)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following veto 
message from the President of the United States:

To the House of Representatives:
  I am returning today without my approval H.R. 1854, the ``Legislative 
Branch Appropriations Bill, FY 1996.''
  H.R. 1854 is, in fact, a disciplined bill, one that I would sign 
under different circumstances. But, at this point, Congress has 
completed action on only 2 of the 13 FY 1996 appropriations bills: this 
one and H.R. 1817, the Military Construction appropriations bill. Thus, 
the vast majority of Federal activities lack final FY 1996 funding and 
are operating under a short-term continuing resolution.
  I appreciate the willingness of Congress to work with my 
administration to produce an acceptable short-term continuing 
resolution before completing action on the regular, full-year 
appropriations bills for FY 1996. I believe, however, that it would be 
inappropriate to provide full-year regular funding for Congress and its 
offices while funding for most other activities of Government remains 
incomplete, unresolved, and uncertain.

[[Page H 9742]]

  As I said 2 months ago, I don't think Congress should take care of 
its own business before it takes care of the people's business. I 
stated that if the congressional leadership were to follow through on 
its plan to send me its own funding bill before finishing work on the 
rest of the budget, I would veto it. I am now following through on that 
commitment.
  I urge the Congress to move forward promptly on completing the FY 
1996 appropriations bills in a form that I can accept.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, October 3, 1995.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objections of the President will be 
spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message and bill will be 
printed as a House document.
  Mr. DAVIS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to postpone 
consideration of the President's veto message on the bill H.R. 1854 
until Thursday, October 12, 1995.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.

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