Political Quotes

“the bill before us addresses the effects of natural disasters which occurred in the Midwest and California. I would like, right now, to address a portion of the bill that is designed to prevent a man-made disaster. That provision, the safety net continuing resolution for fiscal year 1998, would, as Senator McCain has made clear, prevent a Government shutdown in the event the regular annual appropriation bills are not enacted into law by October 1. Mr. President, just over a year ago, on April 26, 1996, President Clinton signed legislation which ended a 7 month budget stalemate. That stalemate involved no fewer than 15 continuing resolutions, 2 full- fledged Government shutdowns--one lasting a record 27 days--and numerous Presidential vetoes. By President Clinton's own account, it cost the taxpayers $1.5 billion. But the costs of this shutdown went beyond this $1.5 billion. Thousands upon thousands of Federal employees were furloughed. Thousands of small businesses, particularly those near national parks closed during the Government shutdown, suffered crippling loss of business. And American citizens suffered innumerable inconveniences, many of them quite serious. For example, Mr. President, 10,000 new Medicare applications, 212,000 Social Security card requests, 360,000 individual office visits and 800,000 toll- free calls for information and assistance were turned away each day.”