[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H12354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CLEAN CR BEST HOPE TO END BUDGET BATTLE

  (Mr. REED asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I call today on the Republican leadership and 
my President to resolve the current shutdown of the Federal Government. 
The livelihood of many Americans and the stability of our Nation's 
political system demand as much.
  I have heard from many Rhode Islanders who are upset and confused. 
They may all have different concerns, but they all share a common 
question--why did this happen?
  Rhode Islanders realize that the current impasse did not have to 
occur. They understand that the House is behind in its work. They know 
that instead of passing appropriations bills in a timely, responsible 
manner, this House has been playing politics.
  Each year this House has the duty to establish priorities and 
appropriate the funds to meet them. There are 13 such bills and they 
are supposed to be sent to the President before the start of the fiscal 
year.
  Regrettably, this House, and, in particular, this new Republican 
leadership failed in this task. Instead of seeking bipartisan support 
for a fair, balanced budget, the Speaker crafted an extreme plan that 
included unnecessary cuts in essential programs like Medicare and 
education. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, this failure shut down the 
Government.
  Balancing the budget is important, but there can be no progress in 
this environment of hostility. The majority has failed to get the 
appropriations bills to the President. Now, they must be responsible 
and end the shutdown. A clean continuing resolution is the best and 
only solution. Moreover, it would provide the only real framework for 
the bipartisan solution the American people want.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you to do the right thing and end this game.

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