[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H12200-H12201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NOW IS THE TIME TO FACE REALITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] is recognized for 2 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Madam Speaker, I think the real issue this morning 
and over these past 11 months, starting around the month of February, 
is that the Republicans really do not get the message.
  Madam Speaker, it is interesting that someone would argue what the 
American families need. I think basically the American families do very 
well in helping to create what they need, a roof over their heads, 
transportation, food for their children, and support for their elderly 
citizens. And anything that hinders that opportunity is absolutely 
wrong policy.
  Basically, September was the month when we should have passed all of 
the appropriation bills, which would have caused this Government to 
continue to operate. But now I have to tell the Federal employees who 
took their day off on Saturday and joined me with my congressional 
office in a local grocery store and worked on their holiday, those from 
Social Security, IRS, and the Veterans Administration, that they do not 
matter; the services that they provide to veterans and the senior 
citizens and people who need and have concerns about Internal Revenue 
Service issues, that they do not count.
  I think what we should recognize is that we have been negotiating. In 
fact, the Democratic leader said just last night, let us pass a 24-hour 
continuing resolution so that we can keep the doors of this Government 
open. It was rejected by the Republican leadership.
  Now is the time to face reality. The reality is that we do have the 
opportunity to create a budget that reflects 

[[Page H 12201]]
and respects senior citizens, the environment, education of our 
children, key issues that move this country toward the 21st century, 
not misdirected ideas and policies that undermine what this country 
should stand for.
  The Republicans again do not get it. Democrats are prepared to engage 
in a bipartisan discussion of keeping this Government going, balancing 
the budget. But do not scare the American people with false 
exaggeration regarding the deficit. We know the deficit has come down. 
We also know the American people know the difference between credit and 
the need to pay as you go which is their Government's responsibility.
  Madam Speaker, I just ask, let us come to the table of 
reconciliation, pass a clean continuing resolution, keep the Government 
open, and make sure that the American people in this battle win, and 
not continue to foster confusion upon our constituents.

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