[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 172 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H11687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ENDING WELFARE FOR LOBBYISTS

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, the Wall Street Journal reports that by 
almost a 3-to-1 margin, the American people agree tax dollars should 
not be used to fund groups to lobby the Government. I certainly agree 
with that principle, and I believe that as part of our reforms, we have 
got to end welfare for lobbyists.
  People in groups have every right to petition their Government. They 
ought to do more of it. But the American people should not have to pay 
more and more taxes so that some lobbying group that receives money 
from the Federal Government can spend more and more money up here 
lobbying to receive more and more money to come up here to lobby for 
more and more money. That is a vicious spending circle. It has got to 
stop. No wonder previous Congresses have been unable or unwilling to 
balance the budget.
  Those trying to fight this much-needed reform say it is draconian. 
But 96 percent of the nonprofit groups who have not abused the process 
would not be offended. Let us pass this legislation now.

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