[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S38-S39]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ENDING THE BUDGET STALEMATE
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I join all those who wish the President
and indeed the leadership of both the House and the Senate to get these
talks to reach a point where we can have a reconciliation of this
problem. We have finally, after some months, focused the country's
attention on the need for a balanced budget. And that is the
centerpiece of this controversy. But I feel that this shutdown is
taking the public attention away from that important and historic
landmark achievement by the leadership of both the Senate and the
House, and others; that is, bringing a final agreement on a balanced
budget within a 7-year period of time.
If the President would be forthcoming, if he would be forthcoming
with a balanced budget, with his own ideas as to how he can achieve it
within that 7-year period of time with the CBO figures, I think these
negotiations could very quickly resolve such differences that remain
and allow the current stalemate to be concluded.
Mr. President, earlier I spoke about the meeting on the House side
this
[[Page S39]]
morning with Virginia Representatives Davis, Wolf, Bateman,
Congresswoman Morella, who represents Montgomery County, MD, and
myself. We meet regularly throughout each day. But this morning we
reported as a group first that in our own metropolitan area the SAIC
Corp., private contractors, furloughed some 600 people. DynCorp,
another private contractor, has furloughed 700 people.
We had the transportation representatives in to see us this morning,
primarily the taxicab operators in northern Virginia. Their business is
absolutely devastated. Yesterday we met with those of the hotel
industry and the restaurant industry. Their business is being
devastated.
So the ripple effect, Mr. President, is impacting the greater
metropolitan area, and indeed in many other places throughout the
United States. It is imperative that all of us bring to bear our best
judgment to try and resolve this problem.
Mr. President, I wish to include in today's Record just samples of
the thousands of communications being forwarded to my office, both by
telephone and by letter. I am certain that this is taking place in
other offices here in the Senate. As a matter of fact, Congressman
Bateman said he cannot even get through to his office in Tidewater, VA,
today because of the volume of communications from his constituents.
But one letter dated December 12 of last year from a retired Navy
captain, signed both by himself and his wife, simply says:
Our country is already in a sorry state due primarily to
congressional incompetence over the years, and these
situations only make matters worse. Perhaps one answer to the
``stalemate'' problem might be to exclude the media from all
deliberations and eliminate press conferences.
This is sort of the typical reaction of an individual who has
dedicated his life as a public servant here in the military to try and
keep our Nation strong but expressing his own views.
A second letter, December 29, 1995, from Mr. John Fulton of Vienna,
VA, indicates he is a lifelong Republican, but he says:
There is no rational reason why the issue of ongoing day to
day operations of our government cannot be separated from the
larger, and critically important, budget deficit problems.
I certainly agree with these constituents.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that these letters be printed
in the Record.
There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Virginia Beach, VA,
December 12, 1995.
Hon. John W. Warner,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Warner: I am a retired naval officer, having
served forty years in the Navy, and my wife a homemaker for
fifty-four years are most concerned with the political
shenanigans now going on in Washington. While you are not
directly involved the respective parties leadership must stop
this nonsensical attempts to outwit the other side for
political gain. It is time for your colleagues to put aside
their egos and do the work Congress was elected to do, and
within the framework of the Constitution.
Our country is already in a sorry state due primarily to
congressional incompetence over the years, and these
situations only make matters worse. Perhaps one answer to the
``stalemate'' problem might be to exclude the media from all
deliberations and eliminate press conferences. In any event,
you and your colleagues must get your act together, for the
good of our country.
Having said the above we, like most of your senior citizen
constituents, only ask that in your deliberations and voting
that we be treated equally and fairly.
Sincerely,
T.H. Conaway, Jr.
Margaret P. Conaway
____
Vienna, VA,
December 29, 1995.
Hon. John W. Warner,
U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Warner: I am writing to express my concern and
dismay over the way in which this congress is conducting the
work of the Nation.
As a lifelong Republican, I am embarrassed and appalled at
the recent actions taken by members of our party which have
resulted in a partial shutdown of government operations,
financial problems for thousands of federal employees and
private contractors, cost to the nation of millions of
dollars in federal funds wasted daily and gross inconvenience
to our citizens nationwide. The lack of mature leadership and
responsibility demonstrated by Republican members of both the
House and Senate in this situation is without historical
precedence in the 44 years that I have been privileged to be
a party member and vote!! It would appear that a significant
number of congressional members have forgotten a fundamental
principle of our Democracy--the ends don't justify the means!
If this behavior continues there will be no need for term
limits.
There is no rational reason why the issue of ongoing day to
day operations of our government cannot be separated from the
larger, and critically important, budget deficit problems. We
must separate these issues; get the government and related
businesses back to work and focus on the central issue before
the Nation--the re-prioritization of our national goals,
priorities, programs and commitments necessary to balance our
budget and relieve our children and grandchildren of the
horrendous 4 trillion dollar debt. If the congress and
administration are unable to resolve this issue before the
next election then let the voters decide who they want to
entrust the challenge to.
I am also greatly concerned about the proposed capital
gains tax cuts and child tax credits. If our party is serious
about deficit reduction and restoring our Nation's fiscal
health and credibility we should recruit all Americans to
share in the sacrifice--sustain the cuts, drop all tax cuts
and apply all the savings toward the $4,000,000,000,000 +
deficit! Any other course of action will be correctly viewed
by the American people as a sham, catering to wealthy-special
interest groups and we will (and should) pay at election
time. This is a year when those of us who have profited
greatly from stocks/bonds investments should be willing to
make a continued investment in the Nation which made those
earnings possible--through capital gains and other revenues.
When we get our nation out of debt we can cut taxes--and all
celebrate!
I appreciate your leadership and wish you and your staff a
blessed and prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
John Fulton.
Mr. WARNER. I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator from New Mexico seek the
floor?
Mr. BINGAMAN. Yes, Mr. President.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized for 10 minutes.
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