[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE BUDGET IMPASSE

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, it is becoming more obvious every day 
that the White House is not prepared to reach an agreement with the 
Congress to balance the budget. We have not seen any specific proposal 
from the administration to make any changes that would, in fact, lead 
to a balanced budget. They are unnecessarily shutting down Government 
services and programs and furloughing Government workers.
  The Congress must now act to identify the activities that should be 
funded and pass legislation that puts people who are really needed back 
to work. There has been too much political grandstanding. It is time 
for that to end.
  We should not give up our goal of getting spending under control and 
balancing the budget. That probably means electing a new President 
later this year who will cooperate with the Congress in this effort. In 
the meantime, I am prepared, and I know other Senators are prepared to 
work with the Republican majority and with like-minded Democrats to get 
the Government back in business with reductions in those programs that 
should be cut back, and to resolve this impasse.
  Mr. SARBANES addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland is recognized.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I posed a question to the Senator from 
New Mexico and his time then expired. I ask unanimous consent to yield 
to him at this moment to respond to that question.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from New Mexico is recognized.

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