David Minge

this last week of July, 1998, we honor Officers Gibson and Chestnut. We honor them for the ultimate sacrifice that they have made on behalf of this country and on behalf of this institution. I join my many colleagues in all of their…

Mr. Speaker, the bill that is under consideration is an emergency response in an emergency situation. We have seen the reemergence of an agricultural depression in this country. Among other areas that have been hit are wheat producing…

the sponsors of this amendment are arguing that a 1-cent-per-pound reduction in the loan rate is minimal and insignificant. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here is the truth, plain and simple: The amendment is a $150 million heist…

in the late 1990's we are facing a crisis in agriculture that is reminiscent of what we faced in the mid-1980's. It is also reminiscent of what we faced a century ago when William Jennings Bryan talked about crucifying American farmers on…

we have had a great deal of rhetoric this year about the optimistic surplus forecasts for the Federal budget. It is truly a great day if we can say that there is a surplus. But the truth of the matter is that we do not have a surplus, we…

we are now 45 days and 45 nights late in action on a budget in this Congress. Why? It is not clear to this Member why this Congress has procrastinated and failed to live up to its responsibility to provide the Nation and the appropriations…

the bill that is before us this evening is truly one that is supported on a bipartisan basis, as is evident in the discussion. But I think that it needs to be said that we have gone through a fair amount of turmoil in this body as we have…

we have embarked on an era of political cronyism, plantation politics. This body recently passed a transportation bill that is $35 billion over budget. The bill did not pass on its merits but on the basis of 1,400 especially identified…

the spring of 1998 finds tens of thousands of American family farmers facing financial crisis. Agriculture is virtually the only sector of the economy to suffer a loss in 1997. The Republican farm bill has exacerbated this financial…

I rise to support the line-item veto. This body in 1996 talked long and hard about how we were going to share the sacrifice across the country to make the tough decisions to balance the budget. Indeed, there is light at the end of the…

Mr. Speaker, we certainly, as many speakers have already said this morning, have seen a historic agreement reached. It certainly is uncommon for us to see a major controversial piece of legislation drawing support from the White House…

as many of us have recognized, this agreement and this legislation have multifaceted advantages, and of course there is always a downside. I would like to emphasize one of what I think is the most positive attributes of the legislation…

I think each wave of immigration has brought with it a certain resentment on the part of the folks who are already there against the newcomers. I think even Scandinavians, unfortunately, face some of that. But I look back in reading…

I represent an area in Minnesota that is quickly seeing the ethnic composition of the population change. It has been dramatic. I know that quite often there is a suspicion that if we have a new family in town, maybe it is not documented…

I certainly count myself among those in this body that fully support the WIC Program. I think that it ought to be funded so that it can operate and provide services and food to all that meet eligibility requirements. That, I do not think…

we have been journeying on a noble course here. It is a bipartisan course. It is a rank and file course. The leadership on both sides of the aisle has been either lukewarm or opposed to what we are doing. The White House has declined to…

I rise today with regard to H.R. 1818, the Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1997. Recently I was contacted by local officials from Lyon County, MN, who wish to build a juvenile detention center with four beds. Lyon…

the legislation now moving through this body is unsettling to most of us. It is marketed by many as the path to balance the budget. Indeed, it appears we are more likely to balance the budget with this legislation than without it. However…

I represent an area that was affected by the shutdown of the flood relief program due to the delays in this institution. I think it is tragic that it happened. I know the folks at home think that we have rocks for brains out here. They…

I represent the Second District of Minnesota. It is a district that contains almost the entire length of Minnesota River. Minnesota River flows through a broad valley. I think for many, it is known as the Valley of the Jolly Green Giant…

I do not wish to oversell this budget agreement. There is certainly much to criticize in the agreement. Some of the previous speakers have dwelt on these shortcomings, but I would like to begin my remarks by pointing out some of the…

I represent an area of Minnesota that was affected by the flooding this spring. I know that the Republicans and the Democrats alike have recognized the importance of having an effective disaster assistance package for those parts of this…

those of us on the Committee on the Budget have worked on this budget resolution, and although there is partisanship in some areas, I think that many of us feel that we have had and would like to have a good working relationship with the…

Mr. Chairman, we have labored long and hard in this body to find a solution to the deficit problems that confront our Nation. The Committee on the Budget last Friday adopted a resolution by a bipartisan vote. It was historic. It has been…

When I ran for this office, it was because of that very concern for our working families and our small business owners. We realize that in States like mine, in North Carolina, we are required to balance the budget and we meet that mandate…