Angie Craig: “this afternoon, let me join with Senator Glenn in echoing his praise of Senator Kempthorne of Idaho and the effort they…”

“this afternoon, let me join with Senator Glenn in echoing his praise of Senator Kempthorne of Idaho and the effort they both have pursued in bringing S. 1 to the floor for its early consideration. I know of no other piece of legislation, except my balanced budget amendment, that I think is more critical to bring up in the 104th Congress. I say that, confident in telling the Governors and the mayors and those who direct local and State government that as we work to pass a balanced budget amendment and then bring the budget into balance, we will not pass on to them Federal responsibilities of taxing or governing. And that is why S. 1, or the unfunded Federal mandates legislation, is so important and that it go before us, to convince the American people and those local and State units of government that we are going to be responsible in our work with them, in our recognition of their priority and their place in the Constitution, that we do not keep shoving through to them the types of legislation or Federal regulation or mandates that is merely a way for us to pass through or force upon them the obligation of funding Federal programs when we did not have the willingness to fund them ourselves. Mr. President, what I come to the floor this afternoon to speak to is not S. 1, but I am a primary cosponsor of it and a strong supporter of it. I am here to speak about Senate Joint Resolution 1.…”