[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, DAY 20

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, today is day 20 of the Government shutdown. 
The fault lies entirely with the House Republican leadership.
  Yesterday there was an opportunity or there would have been an 
opportunity because the Senate sent over a continuing resolution to 
allow the Government to operate once again. But Speaker Gingrich and 
the House Republican leadership would not bring the resolution up. 
There are 198 Democrats on our side that are prepared to vote to keep 
the Government operating. We only need 20 Republicans in order to 
accomplish the goal of reaching 218 and opening up this Government 
again.
  My understanding is that in the House Republican conference there are 
enough votes to do that. But the Speaker, Speaker Gingrich, and the 
House Republican leadership will not allow a vote to come to the floor. 
Instead, we understand today they want to bring up a resolution that 
would allow them to recess this House for 2 or 3 weeks until January 23 
and the Government would be shut down that entire time. I say no to 
that motion to recess. Let us stay here and let us get this Government 
going again.

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