[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            POSSIBLE DEFAULT

  (Mr. BROWN of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, one day the House leadership says it 
will not force the United States into default. The next day the House 
leadership says it might force the United States into default. The 
majority leader says yes; the budget chairman says no.
  Mr. Speaker, nothing good can come from holding America's credit 
rating hostage to ideological extremism. The cost of credit to American 
business is at risk by reckless statements about forcing the United 
States into default. Threatening to force the United States into 
default is reckless and irresponsible. It makes it impossible for 
businesses throughout the country to plan for their needs in the credit 
market.
  We hear a lot of talk these days about our children's future on the 
floor of this House. Mr. Speaker, threatening to force the United 
States into default risks our children's future because it jeopardizes 
the gold-plated creditworthiness of the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, please do not hold the Government hostage again to 
ideological extremism. And, Mr. Speaker, please do not force the 
Government into default because of this extremism.

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