[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 12 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Page 544]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Eleventh Continuing Resolution

March 22, 1996

    Today I have signed into law H.J. Res. 165, the eleventh continuing 
resolution for fiscal 1996.
    House Joint Resolution 165 provides for a temporary extension of 
appropriations--March 23 through March 29--for activities funded in four 
of the five appropriations bills that have not been enacted into law. 
For AFDC/Foster Care, funding is provided through April 3 to avoid 
disruption of payments to States, which are normally made on the first 
of each month. The District of Columbia receives no new Federal funds, 
but retains authority to use local funds.
    The reason that I must sign yet another continuing resolution is 
that the Congress still has not passed five of this year's 
appropriations bills in acceptable form. If I do not sign this measure 
the Government will shut down for a third time.
    Six months through the fiscal year, almost three-quarters of the 
nondefense budget of the Federal Government is being provided through 
this continuing resolution rather than through enactment of freestanding 
appropriations bills. For the sake of school districts and others who 
depend on these funds, this cannot continue. As we work to balance the 
budget and control discretionary spending, we must protect our Nation's 
investments in education, the environment, law enforcement, and 
technology.
    Therefore, I urge the Congress to send me legislation for the 
remaining fiscal 1996 appropriations bills in acceptable form, and to do 
so before it adjourns for the Easter recess. We must work to resolve our 
differences over this legislation. I am committed to doing so.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
March 22, 1996.

Note: H.J. Res. 165, approved March 22, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
118.