[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H14372-H14373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      KEEP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPEN THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, 
``Silent Night'' humming in the background, and families embracing and 
loving during this holiday season. However, the Republican majority 
says no to all of that because they want to force another Government 
shutdown on the backs of working Americans. This will happen because of 
the Republicans' harsh refusal to stop the cuts of $270 billion in 
Medicare and the $182 billion cut of Medicaid. It is the American 
safety net for our children and seniors, and yet the Republicans want 
to force 9 million children and seniors off of a good health care. The 
Democratic budget plan, however, does continue to guarantee health care 
for our children, the elderly, and the disabled.
  I would say to my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, that that is truly the 
spirit of this approaching season, and I would say to my colleagues 
again, Mr. Speaker, that we need to understand that the American people 
want to have the spirit of this holiday season to reflect on the least 
of those.

[[Page H14373]]

  Might I add as well, Mr. Speaker, that the election held in 
California yesterday did not show that the Democrats lost. It is just 
that the Republican candidate that ran was prochoice and progun 
control--Democratic issues--and I would imagine he would also vote for 
the American children to have good health care.
  Let us stop the cuts in Medicare and Medicaid. Let us make this 
season what it is. It is the season of giving and sharing, it is the 
season for all Americans. It is not what the Republican majority wants 
to do--cutting good health care for the elderly, the disabled, and our 
poor children.
   Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues across the aisle to do the right 
and responsible thing and keep the Federal Government open. This is no 
time to let working people pay the price for petty partisan politics.
  Let's pass another clean continuing resolution, if necessary, and 
work toward a balanced budget that is not built on the backs of the 
average, hard working Americans. A budget that protects the things we 
value: Medicare, Medicaid, education, and our environment.
  Leaders in the other body have already agreed that there should not 
be another Government shutdown. We in the House need to join them in 
that agreement.
   Mr. Speaker, don't be responsible for forcing thousands of decent, 
hard working people to wallow in doubt and uncertainty during what 
should be a joyous season. Don't make the American people pay because 
the Republican majority has not finished the budget work that should 
have been completed by them in October.

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