Walter B. Jones: “I want to read to him that we got word just a few minutes ago from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor) that…”

“I want to read to him that we got word just a few minutes ago from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor) that the White House, not the House or Senate leadership, demanded that the $508 million for North Carolina relief be taken out of the Labor-HHS bill. I was not there and I do not know, but I wanted to pass that on since I was asked to share that with the House body. Mr. Speaker, I will say that we have worked very closely together. This is what I think is good about this Congress and good about America. The American people know when their brothers and sisters are in trouble that they come forward and do what they can to assist them. I think this resolution is proper. I am sorry if it has been read as politics, but I do not really think that it should be, because, right or wrong, there is a belief that we need to have the guidance and the leadership of the President to come forward to the Congress with his recommendation after consulting with OMB with recommendations as to what should be done for the people that have been devastated by Hurricane Floyd.”