The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“A $6.5 BILLION HOLE IN THE GROUND” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H421 on Feb. 4, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
A $6.5 BILLION HOLE IN THE GROUND
(Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, do you know that the American taxpayers have spent to date $6.5 billion over the last 15 years?
You may think this money was spent on new schools for our children, a better military or a down payment to save Social Security. Nope. Sorry.
You may hope the money was spent to give tax cuts to hard working men and women of this country or it was spent on needy families to ensure people move from government reliance and to work with self respect. Sorry again.
Mr. Speaker, this money was used for nothing more than to dig a hole in the ground, $6.5 billion dollars, and according to the GAO, the Department of Energy has spent more than $6.5 billion to dig a hole large enough to bury the nuclear industry's high level radioactive garbage. Even more perplexing is that they are over 12 years behind schedule trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Americans know that when you find yourself in a hole, the first rule is to put the shovel down and stop digging.
I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 45 and let this money be spent on programs that actually benefit this country.
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