[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PREVENTING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Government Shutdown 
Prevention Act, legislation designed to maintain government operations 
that would otherwise be halted due to an impasse in budget negotiations 
between Congress and the President. I first introduced this legislation 
in 1989, and since then the need for it has become even more apparent. 
Joining me as original cosponsors are Representatives Rohrabacher, 
Wynn, Cox, Istook, Pitts, Ehlers, Davis (VA), and Hayworth.
  Since I entered Congress, there have been 8 government shutdowns, 
costing American taxpayer millions of dollars and diminishing his 
confidence in elected officials. The estimated cost of the 21-day 
shutdown of the 104th Congress was $44 million per day! During the 
first shutdown in the 104th Congress, 800,000 federal employees were 
``furloughed''. Budget negotiations between Congress and the President 
should be about the American people, not a battleground for public 
relations.
  This bill accomplishes a very simple function: to keep funding at 
levels allowing appropriators to complete their work while keeping the 
government operating. This bill essentially works as an automatic 
continuing resolution, providing for funding at the previous year's 
levels so the government can continue to operate, even through an 
impasse in budget negotiations. The legislation protects Medicare, 
Medicaid and Social Security by guaranteeing that they remain at their 
current funding levels.
  As Members of Congress, we are duty-bound by the Constitution to 
forge a budget for the American people. At times our ideological 
disagreements have led to heartaches for our constituents. I propose, 
through this legislation, that we provide an environment whereupon we 
can work together and negotiate in good faith, and strive to reach a 
compromise that will be good for the people we serve.
  We need to restore the public's faith in its leaders by showing that 
we have learned from our mistakes. Enactment of this legislation will 
send a clear message to the American people that we will no longer 
allow them to be pawns in budget disputes.

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