[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 144 (Monday, October 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H10565]]
                     AVOIDING A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. PAPPAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, Republicans are willing to work as long as 
possible and as long as needed to avoid a government shutdown. As 
evidence of our good faith, Republicans have been working with the 
other side since the spring to make sure that the government can remain 
operating while our differences are resolved.
  The differences between the two parties are real, despite the 
constant efforts by some to portray disagreements between conservatives 
and liberals as partisan politics. In fact, Democrats and Republicans 
have profound philosophical differences about government's role in 
society that make conflict inevitable and healthy in a democracy.
  Vigorous debate with each side fighting for its beliefs is the 
hallmark of democracy, and suggestions to the contrary are mistaken. 
Republicans believe that the Federal Government is too big, too 
powerful and too intrusive in our lives. Liberals strongly disagree 
and, in fact, propose new government programs each and every year. We 
might disagree, but we do not wish to shut the government down.
  Mr. President, do not shut the government down.

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