[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1343-H1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DO SOMETHING, CONGRESS

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this Congress we 
pledged to work together on issues that matter most to the American 
people. The Republican majority promised to work in

[[Page H1344]]

a bipartisan way to improve the quality of life for working families 
everywhere.
  Well, it is nearly 100 days later and what have the Republicans put 
forward? Have they tried to make college education more affordable? No, 
they have done nothing. Have they moved to guarantee health care for 
all children? No, they have done nothing. Have they tried to make 
pensions more portable and more secure? No, they have done nothing. 
Have they offered a plan for real campaign finance reform? No, Mr. 
Speaker, they have done nothing.
  Democrats have a real agenda, and we have a message for the 
Republican leadership: Either lead, follow, or get out of the way.
  Mr. Speaker, the 105th Congress does not have to be a do nothing 
Congress. Let us move forward on education and health care and pension 
security and real campaign finance reform. We can be the do something 
Congress, but we have got to start actually doing something, and we 
have got to start doing something today.

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