[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ON SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Roybal-Allard] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress representing 
parts of Los Angeles, I am acutely aware of the devastating impact 
natural disasters have on human life. The Northridge earthquake, for 
example, not only destroyed homes and parts of communities but lives 
and people's livelihood.
  In response, Congress acted to ease the misery of these victims by 
quickly appropriating much-needed disaster assistance. By so doing, 
Congress sent a clear message to these victims that they were not being 
abandoned by their government and we gave them hope that they would be 
able to rebuild their lives. Congressional response to the Northridge 
earthquake represented the Federal Government at its best.
  Today, 83 days after the President asked Congress to pass legislation 
providing desperately needed funds for families suffering the aftermath 
of the recent floods, these victims are still waiting for Congress to 
help them in their time of need. Their cries for help fall on the deaf 
ears of the Republican majority who insist on using the disaster relief 
bill as a vehicle to ram through an unrelated political agenda which 
the President has said over and over again is unacceptable.
  Despite the President's warning of a veto, the Republican majority 
put their interests ahead of the interests of the flood victims and 
included unrelated provisions, knowing the bill would be vetoed. These 
Republican machinations represent government at its worst. Yes, the 
issues of the continuing resolution and the census should be considered 
by this House. But those are separate issues.
  Our first and most immediate responsibility is to give help to those 
who are suffering the ravages of the floods. North and South Dakotans, 
Minnesotans, northern Californians and Ohio River Valley residents want 
and deserve to rebuild their lives. They want and deserve to have peace 
of mind and a modicum of security. They need help to relocate their 
businesses, repair damaged roads and clear their farms in time for 
planting.
  Yet the Republicans keep placing their political agenda ahead of the 
needs of these victims. Such game playing is untenable when lives and 
livelihood are at stake. I call on the majority to do the right thing 
and immediately remove objectionable extraneous provisions from the 
emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Send President Clinton an 
emergency supplemental appropriations bill he can sign. Send the flood 
victims the relief they so desperately need and deserve.

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