[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 200 (Friday, December 15, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H14936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1115
      SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT, SHUT DOWN CONGRESSIONAL PAYCHECKS

  (Mr. DURBIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. Speaker, last month the Gingrich Republicans shut 
down the Federal Government for the longest period of time in the 
history of the United States. While 800,000 Federal workers were sent 
home with uncertainty as to whether they would be paid, the American 
taxpayers picked up the bill. In fact, we paid $700 million when the 
Gingrich Republicans, because of their failure to pass spending bills, 
shut down the Federal Government. Now they are about to set another 
record. They are going to shut down the Federal Government for the 
second time in 1 year. This time they want to do it a few days before 
Christmas.
  Just a few minutes ago, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich] and 
his Republican friends passed a motion here so we could recess and 
leave for 3 days. Members of Congress can go home and shop for 
Christmas gifts while 350,000 Federal employees are uncertain as to 
whether or not they are going to be on the payroll on Monday. If 
Members of Congress on the Republican side believe this is a matter of 
principle, join me and support the bill: No budget, no pay. Shut down 
the Government, you shut down congressional paychecks. That will end 
this foolishness in a hurry.

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