[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN SUPPORT OF A CLEAN DISASTER RELIEF APPROPRIATION

  (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the President asked the Republicans for a 
clean disaster relief bill 84 days ago, 84 days. Instead, they sent the 
President a bill that tells the government how to conduct the census. I 
ask my colleagues across the aisle, what does the census have to do 
with the disaster relief?
  The Democrats want to vote on a clean bill, but the Republicans will 
not let us. The Democrats want to help the people of the Midwest to 
rebuild their lives, but the Republicans will not let us. Mr. Speaker, 
the Republicans are playing politics with people's lives. They know 
that, if they pass a clean spending bill to help the flood victims, the 
President will sign it. But they will not do it.
  Mr. Speaker, this is wrong. How many times must we say it? People are 
suffering and we have got to help them. Give us a clean disaster relief 
bill.

{time}  1030

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