[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 206 (Thursday, December 21, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H15489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today the Government is in the midst of 
its second shutdown. Not because Congress and the President cannot 
decide when and why to balance the budget. But because a radical 
minority does not care about the rest of America.
  Speaker Gingrich and company have chosen to inflict the maximum 
amount of pain on the American people, rather than offer solutions.
  Last fall Republicans talked about a contract with the American 
people. I ask you, what about the contract with the elderly, the 
children, and the Americans in need?
  These people will not be receiving the benefits checks that they were 
promised for food, shelter, and medicine--because this arrogant 
minority decided that it should be their way not the American way.
  My colleagues, these contracts with the American people were in place 
well before any of us came to Congress. There is so much at stake for 
so many Americans. We cannot allow this extreme minority to keep 
stalling. Stop this irresponsible governing. Let us do our job and fund 
the Government.

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