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“CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 1997” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E850-E851 on May 21, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 1997
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speech of
HON. LOUIS STOKES
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 16, 1996
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the concurrent resolution
(H. Con. Res. 178) establishing the congressional budget for the U.S. Government for fiscal year 1997 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002:
Mr. STOKES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to House Concurrent Resolution 178, the Fiscal Year 1997 Republican Budget Resolution. The American people must clearly understand that the Republicans' Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 178, which eliminates 130 programs and the Department of Commerce and the Department of Energy, is a continuation of their attack on the most vulnerable among us, children, seniors, veterans, and hard working families across the country.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have decided to ignore the message of the American people to protect the quality of life, to protect the environment, and to protect education.
Instead, they have intensified their attack on those in the dawn of life, our children and those in the twilight of life our seniors. Programs and services that are critical to helping to ensure a reasonable quality of life for the most vulnerable are being gutted, once again, so that the GOP can give a tax cut to the wealthy.
Medicare is cut $158 billion threatening access to quality health care for millions of seniors. Provisions that were designed to help control the escalating cost of health care services for seniors are being repealed. Medicaid is cut $72 billion. Poor children, disabled persons, and low-income seniors are at risk of losing their health care coverage. Medicaid is converted to a block grant, and States are left to determine eligibility, and the duration and scope of health services to be provided. In addition, State funding match requirements are reduced.
By cutting over $4 billion from financial aid, the Republican budget reduces the opportunity for hard working families to help their children get a college education. In addition to eliminating, student aid funding provided by the State incentive grant program, and fellowships and scholarships, the direct lending program is also eliminated.
By dramatically cutting funding for housing and the earned income tax credit, the Republican budget will make it increasingly difficult for low-income hard working families to make ends meet. These families are already struggling, the added burden could destroy them.
Banking and housing programs are cut $5.3 billion. Welfare-related programs are cut $53 billion and converted to a block grant. The job opportunities and basic skills program and the child care services program are among the programs slated for elimination.
Mr. Chairman, the Republican budget threatens the stability of families across the country. Families do not want a handout, all they need, from time to time, is a helping hand to help them get back on their feet.
Mr. Chairman, these GOP budget tactics and misplaced priorities should come as no surprise to the American people. The Republicans touted last year that if they did not get the cuts in funding that they needed in the fiscal year 1996 budget, to give a $245 billion tax cut to the rich, the crown jewel in the GOP's Contract With America, they would shut the Government down. And, as each of us recalls, they did just that, our Republican colleagues held the American people hostage, shut the Government down, and denied them access to critical services. That GOP tantrum cost the American people $1.5 billion, and it needlessly increased the deficit.
The GOP touted last year that if they did not get the cuts they wanted in fiscal year 1996, they would cut programs and services further in fiscal year 1997, and they are doing just that. You may also recall that our Republican colleagues emphasized throughout the fiscal year 1996 appropriations process, that the fiscal year 1996 cuts were just a downpayment on their budget gutting mission to give a tax cut to the rich.
This outrageous fiscal year 1997 budget is extremely harmful to America's families and citizens, no one is safe from the tre- mendous pain and suffering that would result if this measure is passed.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of our Nation's children, working families, veterans, and seniors, this bill must be defeated. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting no, on House Concurrent Resolution 178.
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