[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H9727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PRESIDENT THREATENS TO VETO SPENDING BILLS

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I am very and deeply disappointed by 
reports that the President intends to veto several spending bills over 
so-called environmental riders. Further reports indicate that this is 
part of the President's politically motivated effort to force a 
government shutdown.
  This country cannot afford another government shutdown, particularly 
in these trying economic times.
  A decision to simply veto spending bills without good-faith efforts 
to negotiate policy differences will jeopardize billions of dollars of 
increases for wildlife, recreation, parks, forests, endangered species, 
public health, and other important priorities.
  Mr. Speaker, the President's rhetoric is unhelpful in resolving 
honest policy differences and unnecessarily erodes the public trust in 
the legislative process. Hard working men and women cannot afford 
another government shutdown, but it appears the President has played 
partisan politics above people, above the environment, and above the 
best interest of this Nation.
  The President has an open invitation to negotiate, in good faith, 
areas of legitimate policy disagreement. For the sake of the American 
people, let us hope he accepts this invitation.

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