THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET PROCEDURES HAVE FAILED ONCE AGAIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87B00858R000200250003-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: April 15, 1986
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2010/09/20: CIA-RDP87B00858R000200250003-4
'c
E 1146 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - &1ensiont of Remarks
MATT SNYDBl1.. N'BRAS'KR
WINNER 1985/86 VFW VOICE OP
DEMOCRACY SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM
HON.. VIRGINIA SMITh
OR NaeaSnA
IN THE HOUSi Or REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday April 15, 1988
Mrs. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, r
would like to share with my colleagues the
winning entry in the Nebraska Voice of De-
mocracy contest, sponsored by the Veterans
of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary.
The author is Matthew Snyder of Broken
Bow, NE, and I am extremely proud of his in.
spirational thoughts about the future of Amer-
ica I hope my colleagues will find his essay of
interest
NEW HORIZONS FOR AMERlce s YouTH
We stand right at the mid-point of the
decade. in only fifteen years we will be wel-
coming a new millennium-the year 2000. As
we look toward that horizon-toward the
twenty-first century-we realize that it is
today's American youth who will determine
our nation's course.
How will we do? It is appropriate and
timely for us to begin now, preparing for
the challenges America and our generation
will face.
First, let me backtrack a little to consider
how earlier generations of Americans pre-
pared themselves itw the coming of a new
century. From our nation's very birth;
Americans have accepted challenges which
seemed to threaten our future. As we ap-
proached the nineteenth century, colonial
farmers and merchants, trappers and book-
keepers, formed hometown militias and
risked their lives in battle against those who
would deny basic human rights in this new
land.
Midway through that century. Americans
again were called to take up arms to pre-
serve the unity of our young country, and
our nation came out of this internal strug-
gle a freer and stronger country.
Barely into the twentieth century Ameri,
cans were called to battle twice. Joining free
forces all over the world-forces determined
that mankind would not be ruled by fascist
tyrants. Once again we proved to ourselves
and to others, that America was strong and
more than willing to protect that invaluable
freedom with the strength that is America.
I think it is appropriate, as we consider'
the new millennium on our horizon, that we
remember the lessons of yesterday-that
they might guide us tomorrow. Consider, for
a moment, one of those lessons as described
by an American poet. Douglas Mallach. in
the first stanza of this poem. He creates an
Imagery which seems very appropriate here.
The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light;
That stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain.
Never became a forest king.
But lived and died a shrubby thing.
Facing challenges with optimism and
courage has become an American tradi.
tion-a tradition we must carry with us into
the twenty-first century. If we see a better
life on the horizon, we must not be blind to
the challenges which lie between us and
that dream.
We know that if we are to conquer dis-
ease, we must begin our preparation today.
If our horizon holds dreams of energy inde-
pendence. It Is today's graduates who will
have to find new ways to tap new deposits
of oil and coal below the earth's surface. If
the very spirit of America is to serve us well
into the new era, we must accept the chal-
lenge of instilling Americas values in the
next generations
Amerim is rids In resouscea-neaiourees
beyond minerals and rood, beyond medical
advances and education. And we are at this
moment at the brink of discoveries and de-
veloping that which I am convinced is our
greatest resource of all, our generosity and
pride of nation.
It is a unique opportunity for America's
youth to lead this exploration and develop-
ment. And when today's youth reach those
horizons which they explored and then de-
veloped; they can say.
America fought.
And America will be that forest king.
When we meet those horizons we have set,
we must not stop. We must expand them.
We must not only find way to reach below
the earth's surface, but we must put our _
energy resources to work to keep America
the industrial giant of the world. We musts
not only prepare to conquer disease, but we
must continue to improve the quality of life.
We should not stop at instilling American
values in the next generation but must live
so that each new generation has cause to be
proud of their country. And after we have
expanded and passed those horizons we set.
we can say with pride in our voice.
America grew,
America is the forest king,
And America will never die a shrubby
thing.
FEDERAL FIREARMS LAW
REFORM ACT OP 1986
SPEECH or
HON. ARLAN STANGELAND
Or MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 10, -1986
The House in Committee. of the Whole
House on the State of the Union had under
consideration the bill' (H.R. 4332) to amend
chapter 44 (relating to firearms) of title 18.
United States Code. and for other purposes
Mr. STANGELAND. Mr. Chairman, I rise
today in support of the Volkmer substitute be-
cause, for me, the right of law abiding citizens
to keep and bear arms is not an issue of corn-
promise.
Today, approximately 60 million hand guns
and rifles are in the possession of lawful
Americans. These firearms are used for hunt,
ing, collection, protection, and other legitimate
purposes.
Many people in my congressional district
use firearms for hunting. In fact, I am an avid,
lifelong sportsman. Because of this, let me
give examples of why the substitute offered by
my friend Mr. VOU(MER is superior to the
Rodino-Hughes Judiciary. Committee bill (H.R.
4332).
Let us suppose one of my fellow Minneso.
tans decides to do some hunting in Alaska,
however, when he arrives his guns have been
damaged or lost Under current law, he can
replace his long guns, albeit with considerable
difficulty, but any lost or damaged handguns
cannot be replaced until he returns home,
even though hunting with such firearms is per-
fectly legal in Alaska and 38 other States.
Unlike the Rodino-Hughes bill, the Volkmer
substitute ensures that hunters, marksmen or
other responsible Americans will, on the spot,
be able to replace their guns even 4 they are
not in their home State.
April 15, 1986
Currently., hunters cannot transport their
firearms without fear of violat ng, a hodge-
podge of restrictivve- gun laws at the state and
local level. Unfortunately, the lives of marrip
honest eitizerta have been ruined or disrupted
simply because they did not understand that
this transport of a firearm, by a law abiding cit-
izen. in certain states or localities is not legal.
This should never happen again. The Volkmec
substitute remedies this situation, Rodino-
Hughes does not.
Several months ago the other body over-
whelmingly passed S. 49. The Volkmer substi-
tute largely incorporates the provisions of M.R_
945-companion legislation to S. 49.-modi-
fied slightly to most concerns raised by the at-
torney general and law-enforcement organza-
tons. Because the House leadership initially
declined to take action on this measure, I and'
217 Members signed the discharge petition to
bring the matter before the House. Today, we
have the first real opportunity to reform the
Gun Control Act of 1968. I believe we should
use it to do justice and reverse 18 years. of
unfair regulation and harassment Perhaps
then Congress and the courts will begin focus-
ing their attention on the criminals who misuse
guns, and not abiding, responsible citizens.
If you believe in the Constitutional right of
Americans to keep and bear arms then you
will vote yes on the Volkmer-Stangeland sub.
stitute.
'HE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET
PROCEDURES HAVE FAILED
ONCE AGAIN
HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG
OF FLORIDA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, April 15, 1986
Mr. YOUNG of Florida Mr. Speaker, Corr
gress has failed again to meet its budget
deadlines. Today is April 15, the new deadline
for House and Senate agreement on a budget
resolution, but there is once again no budget
resolution to be found.
That's not really surprising though. Last
year. Congress didn't reach agreement on the
first budget resolution until August 15, 2%
months late. In 1984, we were 454 months
late. In both 1982 and 1983, Congress was 5
weeks late. .
According to the Budget Act of 1974, the
first budget resolution is supposed to be non-
binding. It's the second budget resolution that
is supposed to be the binding budget guide-
line. But our record with the second budget
resolution is even more dismal. We haven't
passed one in any of the last 4 years!
How ironic that we have set April 15 as the
new deadline for a first budget resolution. This
is the same date that American taxpayers
must meet the deadline to file their income tax
returns. Congress has established penalties
for taxpayers who don't meet these deadlines.
Maybe we need to establish penalties against
Congress when we fail to meet our deadlines.
I believe, however, there is another solution
to our budgetary difficulties. Let's revamp the
current budget process, which has become
too cumbersome and just doesn't work. To
begin, I propose at least a temporary 2-year
budget cycle to allow us to get caught up with
budgetary matters. I also propose to abolish
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April 15, 1986 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - Extensions of Remark3
the House and Senate Budget Committees
and the new level of bureacracy they have es-
tablished with Congress. In place of the
Budget Committees, the Appropriations and
Ways and Means Committees would meet
early in the process to issue a statement of
receipts and outlays that cites estimated reve-
nues for the budget period and a maximum
level of expenditures.
New deadlines would be established for au-
thorizing legislation to be brought before Con-
gress prior to the consideration of any appro-
priations bills- Finally, a 1-month period would
be set aside for the sole consideration of the
13 regular appropriations bills.
As a member of the Appropriations Commit-
tee, it's obvious to me that Congress has
failed miserably in meeting its fiscal deadlines
and responsibilities. Not only have we failed
with regard to the budget process, but more
importantly, we have failed to meet our appro-
priations deadlines. Seven of the 13 regular
appropriations deadlines. Seven of the 13 reg-
ular appropriations bills were included this
year in a massive continuing resolution. Con-
tinuing resolutions are a symbol of our failure
to discharge our responsibilities, and unfortu-
nately, they have become a rule rather than
an exception.
The Library of Congress recently analyzed
the record of Congress with regard to appro-
priations bills since the institution of the 1974
Budget Act. According to the report:
Before the Budget Act It has highly un-
usual If all 12 months of a fiscal year went
by withoout passing the regular appropria-
tions bills. It is now a common occurrence.
From fiscal 1968 through fiscal 1975, only
two appropriations bills were under a con-
tinuing resolution for an entire fiscal year.
From fiscal year 1976 through fiscal 1985,
that figure jumbed to 27.
Because of our failure to meet budget and
appropriations deadlines, our Government was
on the verge of fiscal chaos last year. The
Secretary of the Treasury even had to resort
to the disinvesting of the Social Security trust
funds in order of make good on Federal obli-
gations.
We funded the operations of our Govern-
ment on a week-to-week basis under continu-
ing resolutions for 2% months. We let impor-
tant legislation pile up to the point that we had
to consider temporary extensions to prevent
programs from expiring.
We were asked to vote on major legislation
in excess of 1,000 pages with little or no time
to review key provisions. This happened with
regard to the tax bill, farm bill, and reconcilia-
tion bill.
The situation became so bleack that Mem-
bers were willing to accept the Gramm-
Rudman-Hollings concept and turn over to
computers our constitutional responsibilities to
make important financial decisions for the
Federal Government. I opposed Gramm-
Rudman because we shouldn't turn our backs
on casting the tough votes and making the
difficult Federal spending decisions. That's
why we have been elected to Congress.
The conduct of Congress the past few
months is a sad commentary of how the
greatest Nation in the world conducts its fiscal
affairs. We need to work together to find the
solution to our problems. We need strong and
effective leadership to guide us on our course.
We need to resist gimmickry and return to
procedures that will enable Congress to make
the tough decisions we're charged with
making in a timely fashion.
Above all else, we need to make a commit-
ment to quit wasting time and to fulfill the re-
sponsibilities of governing our Nation. Since
we reconvened here January 21 for the
second session of the 99th Congress, the
House has met to conduct official business on
only 29 of a possible 59 days. On eight other
days, the House convened in pro forma ses-
sion or conducted no legislative business.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that we can move for-
ward by working toghether to discharge our
duties in a responsible and timely fashion. As
a cornerstone of this effort. I look forward to
working with my colleagues to craft a new,
streamlined budget process that will get us
back on track in making the important funding
decisions so we can do our job to reduce
Federal deficits and ensure a strong and thriv-
ing national economy.
HON. LOUIS STOKES
or OHIO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, April 15, 1986
Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, recently, there
has been a great deal of discussion in the
House about public opinion toward how to
best to achieve peace in Central America and
to reduce nuclear proliferation. And, later this
week, the House will, once again, meet to
make key policy decisions on these matters.
Mr. Speaker, I recently received a letter
from a distinguished constituent of mine, Allan
J. Bing, a retired lecturer of philosophy at
Case Western Reserve University in Cleve-
land, which raises a number of compelling
points with respect to these issues. And, while
the jury may still be out as to overall public
opinion, Mr. Bing's letter is just one example
of how a majority of the residents of the 21st
District of Ohio view U.S. policy in this regard.
Mr. Speaker, I submit his letter to be insert-
ed into the RECORD and I commend it to the
attention of my colleagues:
MARCH 28, 1986.
DEAR CONGRESSMAN STOKES: I must vehe-
mently protest against the underground nu-
clear bomb explosion which took place in
the Nevada desert. on Mar. 22. As you must
know, the bomb was ten (10) times as power-
ful as the one exploded at Hiroshima, and
shook all the major buildings in Reno, sev-
enty miles away.
I can only regard this explosion as a com-
pletely irrational defiance of the Soviets, es-
pecially in view of the Moratorium on nucle-
ar explosions which the Kremlin proposed,
and itself rigidly adhered to, since last July
30. Most peace groups, both in Cleveland
and in Washington, regarded this proposed
moratorium on testing as the most signifi-
cant breakthrough on the issue of nuclear
disarmament, since the two superpowers
began to build their arsenals. Pres. Reagan
must be off his nut to order this explosion.
As Nina McLellan, head of the Cleveland
chapter of the Sierra Club, said, as quoted
by the Cleveland Plain Dealer on March 23:
"The reason that Pres. Reagan refuses to
negotiate a test ban is that he wants to test
and build new, advanced nuclear weapons.
These weapons represent a significant
change in nuclear technology and are a dan-
gerous esculation toward nuclear war. A test
ban could easily be verified."
E 1147
On the somewhat relat'd issue of the
question of aid to the Contras in Nicaragua.
I refer you to the lead article in the current
issue (March 31) of Time Magazine. After
attempting to regard the Sandinistas in a
more reasonable and human light than the
President has, the writer concludes: "-in
fact, if the peril posed by the Sandinistas
were as great as the President's political
rhetoric suggest, he would be irresponsible
not to send in American troops."
This President needs to have his head ex-
amined. Please personally see to it that his
irrationality and stupidity are tightly con-
tained.
Very truly yours,
APRIL IS MONTH OF THE
MILITARY CHILD
HON. GLENN M. ANDERSON
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, April 15, 1986
Mr. ANDERSON. Mr. Speaker, Defense
Secretary Caspar Weinberger has designated
this month, and every April Thereafter, as
"Month of the Military Child." I would like to
join military families throughout the world in
recognizing the important role our youth play
in the development of this great land of ours.
This year's theme has been appropriately
titled, "Children and Youth: Our Investment in
the Future."
In the March 28, 1986, edition of Astro
News, Lt. Gen. Forrest S. McCartney, Space
Division Commander at Los Angeles AFS, has
written an excellent editorial on the signifi-
cance and importance of recognizing the
many contributions of military children. This
article is as follows:
[From the Astro News, March 28. 1986)
CoacacANnsR SALUTES YorrH
(By Lt. Gen. Forrest S. McCartney )
April 1986-and every April thereafter-
has been designated the "Month of the Mili-
tary Child" by Defense Secretary Caspar
Weinberger to recognize the important role
that our youth and their activities play in
our lives.
The theme this year, "Children and
Youth: Our Investment in the Future." ap-
propriately reflects the effort we have
placed in our programs which care for and
nurture our young family members.
These programs include the Fort MacAr-
thur Youth Center, the Youth Elite Society.
and the station's child care program.
The center is an outstanding source for a
wide variety of activities which help develop
social and intellectual values. It also pro-
vides an outstanding perspective of Air
Force life for high school-age participants
who aspire toward military careers.
The Youth Elite society, which has bene-
fited our children for four years, holds ac-
tivities which set social, intellectual and
spiritual standards as guidelines for growth.
The society's field trips help its members
widen their horizons, and Its service projects
help teach them how to set example and
meet goals. The society also recognizes
those who excel in their scholastic and ex-
tracurricular activities.
The child care center, when completed
later this year, will provide much-needed
day-time supervision of our infant children
and thus ease their parents' concerns for
adequate care.
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