[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 134 MAKING FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                            FISCAL YEAR 1996

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 20, 1995

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 134, a 
measure that will provide the payment of compensation and pension 
benefits for our Nation's veterans and their families for fiscal year 
1996. I am glad to see that my colleagues on the other side of the 
aisle are at least concerned about some aspect of their obligation to 
these patriots who answered the call of their Nation.
  Despite the fact that this resolution has a noble objective, it is 
clearly incomplete. It simply does not go far enough. While our 
veterans and their families will be somewhat comforted by the passage 
of this resolution, who will give some financial assurance to the 
millions of Americans who continue to face uncertain futures because 
Congress has not fulfilled its obligations regarding the remaining 
appropriations Bills? These remaining bills, which are not included in 
this resolution, are so harmful and unreasonable that the President has 
had to veto them and no action has been taken by the House to improve 
them or continue them in a continuing resolution.
  Take for example, the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. Action 
on this measure is still pending. While the Department of Health and 
Human Services is closed, Medicare and Medicaid applications cannot be 
processed. While the Department of Labor is closed, unemployment 
applications cannot be processed.
  In addition, the drastic cuts in the appropriations measure for the 
Department of Education will deny critical resources to schools and 
communities across the country. The $1.1 billion cut in title 1 will 
deny over one million children the basic assistance they need in math 
and reading. The 50 percent cut in safe and drug free schools will take 
away the resources necessary to provide children a safe, crime free, 
and violence free classroom in which to attend school.
  While we take these steps to assist our veterans, the threat to our 
environment continues to intensify. Because the VA-HUD-and Independent 
Agencies appropriations bill is not completed, environmental protection 
and oversight has come to a screeching halt. There is no enforcement of 
the Nation's environmental laws--laws that protect our water and air. 
Polluters are going unchecked everyday that the EPA is closed. 
Furthermore, the level of cuts proposed for EPA in the FY96 
appropriations bill deprives our children of clean and safe 
environment.
  Mr. Speaker, the list of vital programs that enhance the quality of 
life for all Americans is far greater than just that of veterans 
compensation and pension programs. What we are doing for America's 
veterans tonight is the right thing to do. We should do the right thing 
for all Americans and pass a clean continuing resolution.