[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E534]]
          GOP SHOULD STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH PEOPLES' LIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 31, 1998

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, to paraphrase a famous Republican, ``There 
they go again.'' Just as they did last year, the Republican Congress is 
holding badly needed emergency funding hostage to political whimsy.
  As we all remember, though I'm sure some of my colleagues on the 
other side of the aisle would like to forget, the GOP held up emergency 
appropriations for flood victims in North Dakota for political 
purposes.
  This year, Republicans are holding up federal relief for families in 
the Northeast who were recently battered by icestorms. Rather than have 
a straight vote on the emergency appropriations, Republicans are tying 
these funds to their agenda to decimate housing aid, cut education, and 
eliminate the President's national service program.
  It has become apparent that the House leadership would rather build 
bridges to their right-wing constituencies than rebuild communities 
shattered by the forces of nature. These tactics have failed before, 
and they will certainly fail again.
  Mr. Speaker, the families in Upstate New York, Maine and other 
Northeastern states need help, not political maneuvering. And they need 
help right now. I ask my colleagues to oppose this measure and instead 
demand an immediate, clear vote on emergency funding.

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