David Obey: “several days ago I introduced House Resolution 473, which will provide for the consideration of the remnants of H.R.…”

“several days ago I introduced House Resolution 473, which will provide for the consideration of the remnants of H.R. 3580, a supplemental appropriation bill funding the International Monetary Fund. Madam Speaker, I would urge all Members to sign the discharge petition which will be available at the desk starting now. Last fall the Speaker of the House decided to use the U.N. and the IMF funding as leverage to force the President to agree to unacceptable changes in international family planning policies, and he has continued to hold this needed funding hostage. Failure to act on the IMF funding continues to endanger the U.S. economy, which is becoming more concerned each passing day with what is happening in Asia. We need to have the debate on the IMF so that the many concerns about how the IMF is run can be resolved and so that critically needed replenishments can be put in place. American jobs are at stake. We cannot afford to allow this threat to the American economy to continue. I urge every Member to sign the discharge petition now.”