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.
“TEMPORARY INCREASE IN THE STATUTORY DEBT LIMIT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2170 on Nov. 13, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TEMPORARY INCREASE IN THE STATUTORY DEBT LIMIT
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speech of
HON. LOUIS STOKES
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 9, 1995
Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2586, referred to as ``The Short-term Debt Limit Extension bill.'' The Republican bill before us today provides a temporary increase of $67 billion--raising the debt limit from $4.9 to $4.967 trillion. However, to force the President's hand in budget negotiations, the Republicans' bill lowers the debt limit to $4.8 trillion on December 13. The Government has never defaulted on its principal and interest payments, so why now.
The Republicans have decided that they will only increase the debt limit if the President agrees to their reconciliation and appropriation budget measures that would devastate the well-being of children, seniors, and families.
Mr. Speaker, the President has said that he will veto such measures. The President's veto is the only hope that the children of this country have against the Republicans taking away their school lunches or their immunizations. It is the only hope that seniors have against having their health care premiums double, or their heating assistance taken away. And, it is the only hope that families have against having to use their mortgage payment to pay for nursing home care of their elderly parents, or to pay for their childrens' college tuition.
Mr. Speaker, what H.R. 2586 really is--is the Republicans' primary assault weapon in their attack on children, seniors, and families. Can the Republicans' tax cut for the wealthy justify the need to hold the country--the children, seniors, and families hostage.
It's time for the Republicans to be up front with the American people. Just tell the American people that you will not increase the debt limit unless the President agrees to gutting Medicare, destroying Medicaid, denying college students financial aid, and reducing nutrition programs for children.
There is no good faith in H.R. 2586. It includes provisions that cannot stand the scrutiny of hearings and real legislative debate from balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable, to repealing habeas corpus, to dismantling the Department of Commerce.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up for the rights of the American people, push for a clean debt limit measure. Vote ``no'' on H.R. 2586.
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