[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STATEMENT UPON THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT THE 
      ATTACHMENT OF NONEMERGENCY ITEMS TO EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL 
                          APPROPRIATIONS BILLS

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, ``Emergency'' supplemental bills should 
contain funding for just that--emergencies. They should not be golden 
opportunities to attach funding for pet projects or legislative riders.
  That is why I have introduced this legislation to ``prohibit 
nonemergency spending or legislative provisions in emergency 
appropriation laws.'' This bill will not effect nonemergency spending 
bills, supplemental or otherwise. It is my belief that emergency bills 
are larger magnets for nonessential spending and inappropriate 
legislative provisions because they have the greatest likelihood of 
passing.
  Our government should spend money on many worthwhile projects and 
programs. But a responsible government should make those spending 
decisions during the course of considering annual appropriations bills 
and other nonemergency supplemental bills. We shouldn't slow down much 
needed emergency money, or bank on its urgency, to pass all sorts of 
extraneous measures.
  This legislation is a way to assure the people I represent that 
nothing will be stuck into these emergency bills ``in the middle of the 
night.'' I want people to start trusting Congress again!

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