[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PASS A STRAIGHTFORWARD DISASTER RELIEF BILL NOW

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans decided to go home for 
Memorial Day vacation last week, even though they still have not 
provided disaster-stricken families with the emergency funds needed to 
rebuild their lives. It has now been more than 2 months since the 
President sent disaster relief legislation to Congress; yet Republicans 
still have not finished their work and passed the bill.
  Last month Republicans loaded the bill up with provisions to freeze 
spending on education and other priorities for working families, a 
provision the President warned them would force him to veto the bill.
  This emergency disaster relief bill that Republicans are holding 
hostage would help thousands of families rebuild their lives after a 
massive flood devastating their homes, businesses, and farms. It also 
included in the bill emergency funds to keep 360,000 women and children 
from being kicked out of the WIC child nutrition program.
  Mr. Speaker, Democratic leaders and Members of Congress from States 
hardest hit by this flooding will be gathering today to deliver a 
simple message to the Republican leadership: Just do it, pass a 
straightforward disaster relief bill now.

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