[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 21, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E850-E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 1997

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the concurrent resolution 
     (H. Con. Res. 178) establishing the congressional budget for 
     the U.S. Government for fiscal year 1997 and setting forth 
     appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 1998, 1999, 
     2000, 2001, and 2002:

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to House 
Concurrent Resolution 178, the Fiscal Year 1997 Republican Budget 
Resolution. The American people must clearly understand that the 
Republicans' Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution, House Concurrent 
Resolution 178, which eliminates 130 programs and the Department of 
Commerce and the Department of Energy, is a continuation of their 
attack on the most vulnerable among us, children, seniors, veterans, 
and hard working families across the country.
  My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have decided to ignore 
the message of the American people to protect the quality of life, to 
protect the environment, and to protect education.
  Instead, they have intensified their attack on those in the dawn of 
life, our children and those in the twilight of life our seniors. 
Programs and services that are critical to helping to ensure a 
reasonable quality of life for the most vulnerable are being gutted, 
once again, so that the GOP can give a tax cut to the wealthy.
  Medicare is cut $158 billion threatening access to quality health 
care for millions of seniors. Provisions that were designed to help 
control the escalating cost of health care services for seniors are 
being repealed. Medicaid is cut $72 billion. Poor children, disabled 
persons, and low-income seniors are at risk of losing their health care 
coverage. Medicaid is converted to a block grant, and States are left 
to determine eligibility, and the duration and scope of health services 
to be provided. In addition, State funding match requirements are 
reduced.
  By cutting over $4 billion from financial aid, the Republican budget 
reduces the opportunity for hard working families to help their 
children get a college education. In addition to eliminating, student 
aid funding provided by the State incentive grant program, and 
fellowships and scholarships, the direct lending program is also 
eliminated.
  By dramatically cutting funding for housing and the earned income tax 
credit, the Republican budget will make it increasingly difficult for 
low-income hard working families to make ends meet. These families are 
already struggling, the added burden could destroy them.

  Banking and housing programs are cut $5.3 billion. Welfare-related 
programs are cut $53 billion and converted to a block grant. The job 
opportunities and basic skills program and the child care services 
program are among the programs slated for elimination.
  Mr. Chairman, the Republican budget threatens the stability of 
families across the country. Families do not want a handout, all they 
need, from time to time, is a helping hand to help them get back on 
their feet.
  Mr. Chairman, these GOP budget tactics and misplaced priorities 
should come as no surprise to the American people. The Republicans 
touted last year that if they did not get the cuts in funding that they 
needed in the fiscal year 1996 budget, to give a $245 billion tax cut 
to the rich, the crown jewel in the GOP's Contract With America, they 
would shut the Government down. And, as each of us recalls, they did 
just that, our Republican colleagues held the American people hostage, 
shut the Government down, and denied them access to critical services. 
That GOP tantrum cost the American people $1.5 billion, and it 
needlessly increased the deficit.
  The GOP touted last year that if they did not get the cuts they 
wanted in fiscal year 1996, they would cut programs and services 
further in fiscal year 1997, and they are doing just that. You may also 
recall that our Republican colleagues emphasized throughout the fiscal 
year 1996 appropriations process, that the fiscal year 1996 cuts were 
just a downpayment on their budget gutting mission to give a tax cut to 
the rich.
  This outrageous fiscal year 1997 budget is extremely harmful to 
America's families and citizens, no one is safe from the tre- 

[[Page E851]]

mendous pain and suffering that would result if this measure is passed.
  Mr. Chairman, on behalf of our Nation's children, working families, 
veterans, and seniors, this bill must be defeated. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in voting no, on House Concurrent Resolution 178.

                          ____________________