[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H744-H745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION IS PARALYZING THE NATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] is 
recognized during morning business for 3 minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, it is said one can tell one who wants to 
move on by those who argue last year's argument. My last colleague who 
spoke is regurgitating for us the arguments they will not let go.
  Mr. Speaker, the Republicans demanded a 7-year budget. The President 
has given them a 7-year budget. The Republicans demanded that any 
budget plan that is adopted be approved by the Congressional Budget 
Office using their numbers. Again, the President has agreed to that. 
The Republicans further insisted that there be a large tax cut as a 
part of their budget plan. Again, the President has offered a smaller 
tax cut but for working families.
  Mr. Speaker, the President has gone a considerable distance to meet 
the demands of the Republican Party, and 

[[Page H745]]
yet they continue those same arguments. We just heard the litany go on. 
What is their argument, then, if he has done those essential things 
that they say they wanted?
  Why not move on, as one of my colleagues suggested, to the farm bill? 
I can tell my colleagues that farmers in my State are uncertain as to 
what their future will hold. Democrats are simply insisting that the 
budget we pass hold fast to the principle that made this Nation strong; 
principles that Republicans and Democrats should indeed support. 
Democrats want to safeguard health care for seniors, for children, for 
poor families; to promote education for our future and to protect our 
environment.
  Here we are again almost facing yet a third shutdown and threatening 
to default on our Nation's liability and debt; that we will not honor 
our obligation. What kind of governance is that? Is that being 
responsible?
  Yes, we have made progress in the last few years. Unemployment is 
down, interest is indeed low, and inflation is stabilized. That is 
progress we all, Republicans and Democrats, should want to protect. 
Progress like that, however, will stop and our economy will suffer if 
we do not work together. Both Democrats and Republicans must come and 
work together to prevent a national default on our obligations.
  I can tell my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, this Republican revolution is 
paralyzing this Nation and it will do great damage to this economy. It 
is now time for cool heads and rational minds and thoughtful persons to 
come together, to join together and revive what is important to 
Americans in this Nation.

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