[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H12203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HURTS ORDINARY AMERICANS

  (Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in utter amazement. The 
complete disregard of the interests of the American people by the 
Republican majority is appalling.
  Federal workers, the people who elected us, should not be sacrificed 
as pawns for the Republican agenda. The Republican majority is hell 
bent on achieving its ends no matter what the sacrifice is--including 
the livelihood of those who have chosen to serve this Nation. This is 
not about balancing the budget--it is about back room deals for special 
interests.
  Seniors, working families, students, and the poor have been silenced 
during this GOP budget process. If the Republicans are not willing to 
listen to ordinary Americans, then who do they listen to? Might it be 
big business and special interests? In case you have not figured it out 
by now--the shutdown of the U.S. Government is an indication of where 
the Republican majority's interests lie.
  It is quite telling that the Republican majority is willing to give a 
tax break to the wealthiest Americans, yet they are not willing to 
avert a Government shutdown that will hurt thousands of working class 
families.
  My colleagues on the other side of the aisle often assert that the 
people voted for change last November. However, I doubt this was the 
kind of change they had in mind.

                          ____________________