[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REPUBLICANS WANT TO SHRINK THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRATS WANT TO 
                               EXPAND IT

  (Mr. MILLER of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans want to move in 
one direction, the Democrats in another. This year, like every year on 
almost every single spending bill, the division is quite clear. 
Republicans want to cut back on the size of government, the Democrats 
want to expand it. We have different visions, different ideas about 
what government should do, what it can do and how much of government 
spending is an outrageous waste of the taxpayers' money.
  But our differences are no excuse for a government shutdown, and I am 
very distressed to hear persistent rumors that many in the White House 
are urging the President to provoke a confrontation and a shutdown of 
the government. They want to shut down the government and then try and 
blame it want on the Republicans.
  This is an interesting idea, interesting way indeed to combat public 
cynicism towards the government. I urge the President to reject the 
advice of his more liberal advisers and continue to work with 
Republicans towards an honorable compromise on the remaining spending 
bill.
  Do not shut down the government, Mr. President.

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