Bill Archer: “who exactly supports the Clinton health care plan? Why the Secretary of Education, of course--just ask his employees. I…”

“who exactly supports the Clinton health care plan? Why the Secretary of Education, of course--just ask his employees. I come to the House floor today to ask for an explanation of a letter signed by Secretary Richard Riley that was issued to all employees at the Department of Education. In that letter, the Secretary took time out of his busy schedule to explain the ``unfortunate confusion and misunderstanding about the President's health care proposal.'' The letter introduces a 23-page color brochure which provides a glowing summary of the President's plan for a Federal takeover of the United States health care system. I certainly believe that all citizens should be alerted to the impact of the President's plan. However, I am deeply concerned about the propriety of Federal workers being lobbied at work by their boss. More importantly, I am interested in knowing just who or what public or private organization paid for these brochures and what was the purpose of their distribution? This action is clearly an abuse of a cabinet position. Just because the White House seems to be the only organization in America that still backs the Clinton health plan doesn't legitimize the practice of Cabinet officials lobbying Federal employees on Government time.”