[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REPUBLICANS WANT TO AVOID A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, already rumors are running wild in 
Washington that the President wants a government shutdown, a shutdown 
that he can then blame on the Republicans. This is considered a 
terrible breach of faith among Republicans because Republican leaders 
in Congress have been working since the spring to avoid a government 
shutdown. There is no need for a shutdown, for even if an agreement 
cannot be reached before the current spending bills run out, 
Republicans are ready to sign on to another temporary spending bill to 
allow the government to continue without interruption while we work out 
the remaining differences.
  Republicans have been bending over backwards to avoid what we know 
some here in the administration are recommending. The disruption, the 
heartache, the uncertainty that government shutdown has introduced into 
peoples' lives are not necessary, and the Republicans have no desire to 
provoke a confrontation with the President.
  Let us continue to work together to pass the remaining spending bills 
and avoid a government shutdown.

                          ____________________