[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H15265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HOLIDAY SPIRIT IN THE CONGRESS; WHERE IS IT?

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I would remind our colleagues in the 
spirit of Christmas and the observation of Hanukkah there are certain 
words or feelings that come to us. There are feelings of joy. In fact, 
the whole religious experience of being a Christian is the advent, is 
the spirit of expectation, looking forward to something. Also we have 
feeling of caring and feeling of responsibility, feeling of families 
and friends. I would just ask you, what joy is there to the more than 
250,000 Federal employees who we are holding hostage this Christmas 
because of our failure to pass budgets? Why should we make them victims 
of the fight that we have going on? Certainly does not seem to be in 
the spirit of Christmas, it certainly is not consistent with religious 
feelings of that.
  In terms of responsibility, who is responsible for the situation? One 
would say that, well, the President is the only one standing between 
American people and a balanced budget. Truth be known, as far as the 
shutdown, it is Congress' responsibility. On October 1 we were to have 
a budget, and we did not have that budget reconciliation. It is our 
fault because we could not come to that.
  What is this debate about?

                              {time}  1545

  What is this debate about? It certainly is not about what the 
Republicans will say over and over again: ``It is about balancing the 
budget, about balancing the budget in 7 years.'' It could not be about 
that because the majority have already agreed upon that.
  Why do they repeat that? Simply to confuse or to persuade the 
American people that the debate is not about real issues, is not about 
who wins and who loses, it is not about our commitment to compassion, 
it is not about whether the wealthy succeed at the expense of the poor. 
It is not about our lack of commitment or commitment to the environment 
or education. They would rather have you think of this principle that 
they are willing to die on the sword for and say, ``We promise, now, 
and we are going to keep our promise, come hell or high water.''
  What they are saying to you, Americans, is that ``We will allow you 
to die on the sword. So we get our provision, or what we perceive to 
be, we are willing to allow 250,000 employees to have no Christmas.'' 
That is what they are saying. They are not standing up for principle. 
They are saying, ``It is my way or no way.'' No compassion in that 
position, and certainly nothing to be lofty about.

  This whole idea that a balanced budget is sacrosanct escapes me. A 
balanced budget is because it makes sense to balance the budget, but we 
balance the budget how? I was told if I want to make a good living, I 
want to be honorable. I can make a living several ways, but I would 
rather do it in an honest way. It is as important how we balance the 
budget as to balance the budget.
  It is important in my sight if those Americans who are senior 
citizens have the opportunity at the end of their lives to make sure 
that they are not frustrated and in pain because of lack of health 
care. It is important in my life to think that I would like to prepare 
for the future, and the future means we want to invest in education. I 
hear my colleagues get up and say, ``You know, I want my grandkids to 
grow up in a society where they do not have to pay all of this debt.''
  I have three grandkids too. I want my three grandkids to grow up so 
they do not have to pay for a lot of debt, too, but I also want my 
grandkids and other peoples' grandkids--I happen to be privileged, and 
have been not because I came to Congress, but because I just happened 
to be, but I know there are those who are not. America is not just 
great because of its defense, its technology. America is also great 
because it makes a place for those who are least among us. We are also 
great because we have a sense of compassion.
  I would say to you, I do not know a better time to show compassion 
other than in the Christmas season. Surely, there is no compassion in 
closing down Government. Veterans may not get their checks, welfare 
mothers may not get their checks. Surely there isn't any compassion 
with those Federal workers who will not know whether, indeed, they will 
be paid.
  I think, Mr. Speaker, our colleagues need to know the spirit of 
Christmas is the spirit of joy, caring, and responsibility. We have 
been ill responsible, and I certainly know we have not been 
compassionate.

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