[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 203 (Monday, December 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IMPASSE OVER BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS

  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I just want to address the question that is 
bothering just about everyone who serves in Congress today and most of 
the people who live in this area and many of the rest of the people 
around the country. And that question has to do with the current 
impasse over the budget negotiations and the shutdown of our Federal 
Government.
  Mr. President, I understand the deep feelings and convictions held on 
both sides of this argument. It goes to some very fundamental choices 
that are important to this Government today and in the future.
  I think it is very unlikely, given the deep-seated convictions that 
are involved on both sides of the question, that the budget impasse 
will be resolved in the near term. Indeed, if both sides were to agree 
today on how we could solve the budget problem--and I'm not simply 
talking about a continuing resolution, but the budget problem--we could 
not craft, draft, pass, and send to the President a responsible 
compromise budget in the time remaining before Christmas and the 
holiday period. I say this with the understanding that we are already 
in the first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah as I speak.
  Mr. President, while I have never been an advocate for tax cuts 
before we balance our budget, I have consistently supported a balanced 
budget. I have consistently supported a 7-year balanced budget. I have 
consistently supported using Congressional Budget Office figures. And, 
indeed, both sides have come to an essential agreement on these 
parameters for any compromise.
  But, in light of the difficulty in forging an overall budget 
agreement, I suggest and appeal to the leaders on both sides of the 
Capitol to do what they can today to extend the continuing resolution 
that will allow the processes of Government to continue. This partial 
shutdown is simply irresponsible and, frankly, one that none of us can 
adequately explain to anyone who is affected by it.
  Admittedly, I represent a State that has a disproportionate number of 
those most directly affected, but the pervasive effect of the partial 
shutdown goes far beyond the people who are actually the professionals 
of Government and who make Government run. It goes to the local 
economies in which these individuals live. It goes to the confidence of 
the international and national financial markets.
  Indeed, with respect to the first shutdown, the original projections 
were very significant in terms of the dollars that were directly lost. 
We had some 800,000 Federal employees sent home and then ultimately 
paid for the time they were sent home. And we had a complete loss of 
confidence in our Federal Government for failing to do what we have 
been sent here to do.
  As I have said, the differences between the two sides are clearly 
very difficult to reconcile. And, indeed, it is entirely possible that 
the question of whether or not we have block grants or entitlements may 
not be resolved until after the next general election when we will 
elect a President of the United States and all of the Members of the 
House of Representatives and a third of the Members of this body--
because that question is fundamental to our system of values.
  But nothing for either side will be accomplished by continuing the 
partial shutdown of the Federal Government. While it is only within the 
power of this body to end it, there has been resistance to passing a 
continuing resolution that does not affect, in part, the arguments that 
are embraced as part of the larger budget debate that is taking place.
  But, Mr. President, both sides have made their points on the larger 
issues of balancing our budget. Now is the time to approve a continuing 
resolution that would allow our Government to function and not drain 
taxpayer resources and public confidence. Then the larger questions, 
where the views are so deeply held and the rhetoric to date has been so 
irreconcilable, can be addressed in due course.
  So, Mr. President, to the leaders of Congress and the President, I 
say publicly, as I have done privately, continue to work on the great 
issues that are the subject of the debate that we are engaged in today, 
but also give the Government an opportunity to move forward at this 
time by allowing Congress to pass and the President to sign an 
extension of the continuing resolution. We can then continue to see 
whether or not we can resolve the larger questions.
  I will close by thanking the Chair and thanking other Members who 
have been very patient while I have made this particular plea. The 
plight of many of those directly affected and many others indirectly 
affected at this time of year is serious, one that should not and, as 
far as I am concerned, cannot be ignored.
  With that, I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  Mr. NICKLES addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma is recognized.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed as in 
morning business for 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Mr. Nickles pertaining to the introduction of S. 1484 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')

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