[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INABILITY OF CONGRESS TO CONDUCT ITS REGULAR BUSINESS

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                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2002

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the House of Representatives 
passed yet another continuing resolution to keep the federal government 
running through October 18, 2002. Once again, Congress was forced to 
pass a continuing resolution funding the federal government because 
this body has failed to do its most basic work.
  Instead, the majority party has decided to abrogate our 
constitutional responsibilities and go home and leave the people's 
business unfinished. I voted against this resolution because we need to 
be here working and solving the vast economic problems facing this 
country. I supported a continuing resolution that would have funded the 
federal government for one additional day. This would have forced us to 
remain here and address the critical issues facing our nation. Our 
domestic problems are not insurmountable. I will not accept the fact 
that this Republican-controlled Congress cannot simultaneously address 
national security needs while also addressing pressing domestic 
problems. When united in action, we can solve the problems facing 
everyday citizens.
  In the course of the last two weeks, the stock market has plummeted 
to a five-year low, another 417,000 Americans filed unemployment claims 
at the end of last month, and consumer confidence fell to a nine year 
low. In addition to the hundreds of thousands on new unemployment 
claims, hundreds of thousands of out-of-work Americans have or will 
soon exhaust their unemployment compensation. The Republican majority 
has not brought any legislation to the floor to extend unemployment 
insurance for those who desperately need these benefits. Because the 
majority has failed to do its job, countless individuals will not be 
able to feed their families, seek new employment, or pay their upcoming 
winter heating bills.
  In addition to not addressing legislation to assist unemployed 
workers, the House has failed to fund important initiatives in 
education, healthcare, and veterans--leaving society's most vulnerable 
members at risk. The lack of action means schools cannot plan for next 
year, hospitals wonder if they will have funds to remain open, seniors 
will go without a comprehensive prescription drug plan, and veterans 
will continue to see unacceptably long waits for access to care.
  By ignoring the situation, the majority pretends that this 
Administration's failed economic policies have not had devastating 
consequences for average Americans. This Congress just has addressed 
the most compelling national security issue facing the nation. It is 
time that we face the economic crisis facing America--rising 
unemployment, increasing job insecurity, growing budget deficits, and 
the lack of affordable health care.
  By postponing action on passing the remaining eleven appropriations 
bills, the majority undermines the ability of the government to carry 
out its basic missions. By adopting continuing resolution after 
continuing resolution, we undermine our law enforcement agencies to 
combat terrorism, prevent the Immigration and Naturalization Service 
from increasing inspections and patrols, threaten efforts to improve 
homeland security, prevent new grants to first responders, weaken our 
ability to respond to bio-terrorism, provide basic services to our 
veterans, increase enforcement of our securities law to catch corporate 
misdeeds, and force state and local governments from making critical 
public infrastructure investment.
  Because the majority has failed to its job, average Americans pay the 
price of our inaction. Republican economic policies have been bad for 
this country--ignoring those policies will not make them better. 
Congress' inaction touches every part of our daily lives. Yet, Congress 
will take another week off--leaving millions of Americans without hope 
that we will address the problems they face every day. It is for this 
reason that I in good conscience could not support another weeklong 
continuing resolution.

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