[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 206 (Thursday, December 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ONCE AGAIN REPUBLICANS SHUTDOWN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 21, 1995

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the 
Republicans ``shutdown'' of the Federal Government. It is absolutely 
essential for the American people to know ``Why we are''--``where we 
are.'' Let's be perfectly clear in telling the American people what is 
going on.
  It is not the Republicans' budget that caused the Government to 
close. The Republican budget is an issue that should be taken up, and 
negotiated on--separate from the continuing resolution. The problem 
with the Republican budget is that it is so devastating to the American 
people's quality of life that it cannot stand on its own merit.
  The primary reason why the Federal Government was forced to shutdown 
is that more than 2\1/2\ months into the fiscal year, the Republicans 
have failed to complete action on the fiscal year 1996 appropriations 
bills. Measures which provide agency operating funds.
  Mr. Speaker, the legislative schedule provides sufficient time to 
pass each of the 13 appropriations bills which are needed to keep the 
Government fully operational. However, the Republicans put action on 
the appropriations measures on the back burner, while they gave 
priority--prime legislative time to their ``Contract With America.''
  Mr. Speaker, that is ``Why we are''--``where we are'' today. There is 
no excuse for the situation the Republicans have placed the country in 
today. Just as there is no excuse for the pain and suffering that the 
Republicans will inflict on children, the disabled, seniors, veterans, 
and families just to give a tax break to the wealthy. This escalating 
situation--of Republican displaced priorities--is ``Why we are''--
``where we are'' today.
  All that is needed right now to open the Government, and to return an 
estimated 260,000 Federal employees to work is a clean continuing 
resolution. The Republicans are afraid to put forth a clean ``CR,'' or 
to allow the Democrats to pass a clean ``CR,'' because the GOP would no 
longer have the American people to use as their pawn in the 
negotiations on the GOP life-threatening budget.
  The GOP must not be allowed to continue to hold the American people, 
and the country hostage. It is time for the Republicans to stop playing 
games. No amount of smoke and mirrors can hide the pain and suffering 
that is in the Republicans' budget. Stop the game play--pass a clean 
``CR''--return Federal employees to work, return critical services to 
the American people, and let real budget negotiations begin.

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