[Pages H13042-H13043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GINGRICH GOP THEME CHANGE

  (Mr. VENTO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, what we are seeing today is a Gingrich 
Republican theme change. A new tune. First of all, the Gingrich 
Republicans were indifferent and noncaring about the fact that the 
Government was closing down and that 2.3 million workers were being 
sent home. But today, that tact that theme of attaching to the 
necessary funding resolutions because the Republican Congress did not 
do their work in the first place, now attached to that was the death 
penalty, environmental problems, Medicare cuts, and other policy 
changes.
  The fact is that now, of course, they are saying they have a clean 
resolution, a different theme but the fact is, it is just a shell and a 
pea game. Under this guise of these funding resolutions the Gingrich 
GOP are attempting to force the same kind of Medicare cuts, the tax 
breaks for their wealthy friends and the injection of special interests 
in this process.

[[Page H 13043]]

  The thing is, get your work done, present these policy questions 
honestly, do not try to cement these provisions and advantages in place 
to cut Medicare, and to cut education, and the other programs that are 
so important to American families.
  The Gingrich Republican theme change is not going to work. The 
American people understand what is at the base of the goals no matter 
how you hide them and note the whining by the Speaker, because he was 
not treated right on Air Force One. The poll numbers speak for 
themselves, the American people are not with the Gingrich Republicans. 
You do not have the economics or the public opinion on your side. So 
let us pass a truly clean resolution and get on with the real work of 
this Congress and pass a just budget.

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