Brandon Williams: “I support my colleagues on the Democratic side in their efforts here, but not because I am sure that 12 hours is not…”

“I support my colleagues on the Democratic side in their efforts here, but not because I am sure that 12 hours is not enough. All of that is relative. It just seems to me there is a larger issue at stake in the Democrats' effort here; that is, to be sure that the Republican effort to market their accomplishments in November 1996 does not drive policy considerations here. And it seems to me that their political marketing is driving their necessity of passing a certain number of bills in 100 days and that is what they are about. And that is not the way United States gets good policy. But is 12 hours enough? Well, I do not know. It is relative. Time here is relative. Twelve hours compared to what? After all, the Constitution says we will promote the national defense, but also it says something about promoting the general welfare of the American people. Mr. Speaker, I have done a little research. Let me share these bills with my colleagues: Starting back in 1991, the Drop-Out Prevention Act, the National Literacy Act. In 1992, the Children Nutrition Improvements Act; Abandoned Infants Act; Head Start. In 1993, the disability amendments; the School-to-Work Opportunity Act. In 1994, the Nutrition and Health for Children's Act, and the critical Safe Schools Act. All of those combined did not take up 9 hours of debate from 1991 until today on this House floor.”