Walter Jones

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Thank you, the gentleman from Georgia and the gentleman from Arizona. I will always remember during this campaign for Congress information I received from the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Armey], during the campaign that said, ``As you're talking about line item veto, and you're talking about balanced budget, that in America today the average working family will spend more on paying taxes than the average working family will spend on clothing, housing or food when half of what they are making is going to paying taxes. How can they realize the American dream? When you have a government that is bloated and taking more and more out of the paycheck, that's what all this is all about. That's why we are the majority party.''

Mr. JONES. Just very briefly, the gentleman from Arizona and the gentleman from Georgia are absolutely on target. This is exactly why people back home understand what we are trying to do as the new majority. We are trying to streamline government. We are trying to make sure that the majority of the dollar gets to those who need the dollar and cut through these layers of bureaucracy that keep, as the gentlemen said, the gentleman from Georgia and the gentleman from Arizona, from absorbing most of the money. So we are on target. The people of America, the people in my district, say to us, ``Keep going forward like we are doing.'' We are going to make government less intrusive into the lives of people, make sure those who need the help get the help, but it will be done in a very efficient way.

Mr. JONES. I just wanted to say that what has been exciting about the first 5 weeks is that we have had on these major votes to help make this a better country, to help small business, help people as it relates to crime, we have had quite a few of the Democrats come in, percentages of up to 60 percent who have joined us in passing this legislation. And that bipartisan effort in coming together for America is what the American people wanted. I am delighted, I say to the gentleman from Wisconsin, that we are working together in a bipartisan way to make this a better country.

Mr. JONES. If I may very briefly and quickly thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding, I would like to remind the gentleman from Wisconsin that our Contract with America came from extensive national polling of the people to find out their many concerns and to find out their 10 top concerns. And what we have done is that we cannot speak for the Senate, but we promised the American people that we would get these 10 bills to the floor for a vote, and we are accomplishing that promise to the American people. So we are keeping our promise. We cannot promise what the Senate will do. Hopefully I believe that the Senate will follow suit on most of these bills.

Mr. JONES. Let me tackle this, because so many good things have happened with the contract. Having three military bases in my district, Cherry Point Marine Air Station, Premier Air Station from the Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, well known for the great service they have rendered to our Nation, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. We passing the National Security Revitalization Act, what we are doing is what the military needs done is to get support from the United States Congress and this Government, and with the passage of that act, H.R. 7, what we have done, just three or four points, I want to make this quick, first, demands that U.S. troops be commanded by U.S. commanders and not placed under foreign commanders; second, reduce the cost to the United States of United Nations peacekeeping missions and demands that the United States mission to the U.N. press for reforms in the notorious U.N. management practices; tightens controls and reporting requirements for sharing of U.S. intelligence information with the United Nations; and expresses the sense of Congress that firewalls be restored between defense and discretionary domestic spending for budget years 1996, 1997, and 1998. And very quickly, the gentleman from Arizona and the gentleman from Georgia, let me show you, last August during the campaign, the Cherry Point pilots for about 5 weeks, the fighter pilots that are there to defend our Nation and to fight for us overseas, could not train because of the moneys that had been spent on these overseas projects by this liberal administration, in Haiti and elsewhere. So we are trying to restore the integrity of the defense budget so that our men and women will be ready to defend this Nation.

Mr. JONES. Absolutely.

Mr. JONES. If the gentleman will yield, I thank the gentleman from Georgia and the gentleman from Arizona. I would just like to add to the statement by the gentleman from Georgia that each time I go home to my district, and as you know, I am from the Third District of North Carolina, I spend a great deal of the time walking in the malls stopping people to say I am your Congressman, Walter Jones, Jr. I would like to know what you think about this Congress. And to add to what you have said and the gentleman from Georgia, I cannot adequately express to you the encouragement that I receive from the people as we are helping to rebuild the public's trust. The public has lost faith in the Congress, but finally,because of what has been said by you two gentlemen tonight, they are seeing that a campaign promise is being kept, and they believe that with the help of God that we will change the direction of this Nation in which the majority of people in my district at least in North Carolina think that the liberals have taken this Nation down the wrong road for too long. So it is an exciting time and a great time and a great change for America.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, 50 days ago, Congress started a revolution to change business as usual. We made a pledge with the American people to make Government smaller, less expensive, and less intrusive. We have worked hard to deliver on this promise. Congress has become more accountable than ever before, has started to regain the respect of citizens outside the beltway, and has restored common sense to the Federal Government. There is still much work to be done; we must simplify the Federal regulatory maze as we know it. Small businesses spend approximately 6.8 million hours and $510 billion a year filling out forms and compiling records for the Federal Government. These businesses must hire additional lawyers to fill out the paperwork, which in turn denies the employer from hiring additional workers to produce the company's product or service. The Government is a regulatory mess. Let us continue the bipartisan spirit this Congress has formed and pass the Paperwork Reduction Act to help the small businesses of America.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, each weekend, when I am back in my district, I am always pleasantly amazed at the positive comments people share with me concerning Congress. The voters are pleased that we are finally acting on our promises and passing commonsense laws. This past weekend, I spoke with many people who praised the numerous accomplishments of the 104th Congress. People's opinions of Congress are changing. We are making history each and every day by returning integrity and honesty to the people's Chamber. It is really no surprise that Congress approval rating has improved from 18 to 43 percent. Madam Speaker, we are at the halfway point of the contract and we will continue to work hard and make the necessary changes to get this Government back on track. This week, we will curtail and streamline the excessive regulations this Government imposes on everyday Americans. We will return the Government back to its rightful owners, the American citizens.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, while in my congressional district this past weekend, constituents expressed both their pleasure and astonishment that elected officials were able to keep a campaign promise. Citizens appreciate the swift and successful manner which the crime legislation has passed through the House. People appreciate the bipartisan support the crime package has and will continue to receive. They overwhelmingly support the new crime bill which: First, Controls the endless number of death row appeals; second, extends the good-faith measure under the exclusionary rule; and third, ensures that convicts serve at least 85 percent of their sentence. Today, we will debate the Local Government Block Grant Act which grants local communities greater control in the battle against crime. I can assure you that law enforcement, as well as the taxpayer, appreciate this help to fight crime. The Contract With America is helping to rebuild the public's trust in Congress.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I spoke about Kermit Smith, the individual who spent 14 years on death row for the brutal kidnaping, rape, and murder of a college cheerleader in North Carolina. However, I forgot to mention that he was on parole during the time of the murder. Two years prior, he was convicted of a violent crime and spent 1 year and 8 months in prison--less than 50 percent of his sentence. According to the Justice Department, a violent criminal serves roughly 42 percent of his prison term which breaks down to an average of 24 months in jail. The American people are fed up with this. Congress needs to send a strong message to criminals. We must increase the amount of time spent in prison. Criminals must receive harsh punishments, not merely a slap on the wrist. The Violent Criminal Incarceration Act does exactly this. It allows States to strengthen its sentencing policies by providing grants to expand prisons. Let us work together to put these violent criminals away and end the revolving door policy at our prisons.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, last week the State of North Carolina executed Kermit Smith for the brutal kidnaping, rape, and murder of a college cheerleader in 1980. Because of the burdensome appeals process, the case dragged on for 14 years, going before 46 judges and the U.S. Supreme Court 5 times. The victim's family suffered each and every time the case was brought up for review. Why must we penalize the victims and their families? Haven't they gone through enough. Honest taxpaying citizens question why criminals spend an average of 15 years on death row appealing their cases. They question the enormous cost of the appeals process. They question the amount of time courts spend hearing these cases, while in turn ignoring other pressing matters. We, as Members of Congress, have the obligation and responsibility to streamline this process for the victims' families and the law-abiding citizen. The Effective Death Penalty Act is a step in the right direction. It sets time limits for the appeals process. We must support H.R. 729.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. We have all heard stories about suspected criminals that have had their cases dropped due to illegal searches. I, like all Americans, believe strongly in the fourth amendment which bans unreasonable search and seizures. However, the number of dismissed cases is on the increase. We have police officers risking their lives each and every day to put these criminals behind bars only to later have the criminals released on a technicality. Under current law, judges must ignore evidence which was gathered illegally based on present interpretation, even when police thought they were acting legally. This must stop. We cannot allow criminals to control us. exception to be adopted. It ensures that violent criminals will not be released on a technicality if a search or seizure was conducted in good faith. People are tired and fed up with the justice system. Let us give the people a sense of security and pass H.R. 666. The police desperately need this help in fighting crime. The American people are demanding help from elected officials in reducing crime.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, last fall, we asked the American people to vote for us, the Republican Party, and in return, we would change the way Congress does business. We promised a three-part attack consisting of change, reform, and fiscal accountability. We pledged to adopt the Fiscal Responsibility Act, combining the balanced budget amendment and the line-item veto. Two weeks ago, we soundly passed the balanced budget amendment, and now it is our responsibility, to pass the line-item veto. The bill continues the fight we began for the American people in January. The veto requires Congress to justify or eliminate all spending projects. Ultimately, it changes business as usual, no longer will the President blindly sign a bill with hidden pork projects. It is the ultimate budget reform initiative. Let us continue the fight and pass this much needed legislation. The taxpayer will be the definite winner.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, what do 43 Governors have that President Clinton does not have? The answer: line-item veto. By the end of the day Monday, President Reagan's birthday, this House will have approved a new power to help control Government spending that Democrats would not even give their own President. With the line-item veto, Mr. Speaker, we cannot only cut wasteful spending, but we can return some accountability to Congress, and, just as important, with each contract promise we keep, we not only move the country forward, but also help repair the bonds of trust between the people and their Representatives that has been so badly damaged over the last few decades. Politicians keeping promises will be greatly appreciated by the taxpayers of America.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, under Republican leadership, the House is working hard to change the way we do the people's business. Yesterday, we passed an unfunded mandate reform bill, which will make it harder for the Federal Government to tell the American people what to do without paying for it. Today, we take up the line-item veto, which will make it more difficult for Congress to pass wasteful pork-barrel spending projects. Mr. Speaker, in the last election, the American people said they wanted change. They said they wanted a more efficient and smaller Government that cost less, spent less, and did fewer stupid things. We have heard that message, and in a bipartisan fashion, we are working hard to make those changes. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: Let's not bicker and nitpick. Let's not unnecessarily slow down the process for purely partisan reasons. Instead, let's give the American people the kind of Government they really want. Let us work together to complete the Contract With America.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. My father was a Democrat.

Mr. JONES. I thank the gentleman for this opportunity. It has been a great experience for a freshman. I have been here 4 weeks, and this has been an exciting day in many ways, passing an unfunded mandate, and a balanced budget amendment last week, and participating with you tonight and with the other two gentlemen. In the area of reform, there is probably not anything more important than giving the people of America the opportunity to vote on term limits. Quite frankly, I was in the general assembly in North Carolina for 10 years. I have worked hard in the area of campaign finance reform, ethics, rewriting the lobbying laws for the lobbyists in the State of North Carolina, and I have got some background, so to speak, in this area. And I started years ago talking about the need for term limits. If I can just for a moment cite a story. My father served in the U.S. Congress for 26 years. About 3 years ago, 4 years ago, I was talking to him in our hometown of Farmville, and I was telling him how I believe very strongly in term limits. Again, he served 26 years. And he said, ``I did not do a very good job of raising you, if you feel that good about term limits.''

Mr. JONES. If I can just add briefly to this? What we have had is a system; the Speaker has spoken of this so many times. We have had a system that has perpetuated this type of behavior. We have had a system that has through payments encouraged people to have children out of wedlock, and, as the Speaker has said so many times, we want to help people get off welfare. We want to help people become productive citizens. Welfare should not be a hammock. Welfare should be a springboard.

Mr. JONES. Absolutely, those that are incarcerated.

Mr. JONES. May I ask the gentleman from Ohio a question? During your debate on this bill, during the campaign, I heard numerous times people say, ``I'm so tired of reading in the paper where a person incarcerated, serving time for a crime, is given the opportunity to file suit over some usually frivolous type issue, and we, the taxpayers, are paying for this.''

Mr. JONES. If I may just touch on what happened. It just so happened that yesterday the Governor of North Carolina, Jim Hunt, a Democrat, had a luncheon for all the Members of the Congress here in Washington, DC. He had sent us a letter 2 days before about a person in North Carolina who spent 13 years on death row. The individual had kidnapped three cheerleaders at a small college in North Carolina, three girls, put them in the trunk, took one out, raped her, and then killed her. He spent 13 years on death row through all these endless appeals. That is why people are sick and tired of it. The Governor of North Carolina in his letter to us and also at the luncheon yesterday said that we need to end these endless appeals. I think in our contract we are talking about a 2-year limit.

Mr. JONES. I would like to add to the gentleman from Georgia's response to the gentleman from Ohio's inquiry. During our campaign, the polling we did before we entered the race for Congress and during the race for Congress showed that crime and punishment was always among the top issues with the people. They believed that the Clinton crime package, if you will, that you made reference to, was too soft, that it did not do what needed to be done to protect the citizens. Quite frankly, I think that is why our Contract with America, when we get on this issue, you will see the response from the American people will be just as strong today as it was when they elected the Republican majority. Because they want to see, they want to be protected; they have felt for so long, as the gentleman said, they have a locked-in mentality while those who should be locked in are out on the streets. So I just wanted to add to the gentleman's comments that this part of our contract is extremely important. That is why we have been given this opportunity, because the majority of the past, which is now the minority party, did not do the job to protect the citizens of this country.

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, if I might add to that, what we did was we campaigned on the word ``trust.'' We said to the voters, for many years you have not been able to put your trust in the Congress. We are giving you a written agenda, a contract, and we intend to stand by this contract. To the gentleman from Ohio I would say I am pleased that when I go back to my State of North Carolina I am stopped in the grocery stores, I am stopped on the street, people that I really do not even remember their names because it has been so long since I have seen them telling me, ``Keep on working, keep the focus. We are proud of what you are doing in Washington, D.C. You are rebuilding the trust level that has been lost for so many years.''

Mr. JONES. If I can just add one situation that happened months and months ago before I even became a candidate for Congress, in my business I was calling on a manufacturing firm, and I will never forget the story the gentleman was telling me about a lady that lived in the housing project in this small county and small town. And one of the best workers that he had, every time he give her a raise, her rent went up. So she got to a point that she came back to him and said, ``Why work? I am working harder, but I can't achieve because the government continues to raise my rent.'' There has got to be some way to work out a system so that an individual that is trying to do better for themselves through work is somehow given an opportunity, for example, using this as an example, hold the rent down for a couple of years, and make that individual put money in a savings account and let that be monitored by local agencies. But any time somebody tries to do better for themselves, many times through this archaic system that we have, they are being penalized. There are many people that want to get off welfare, but the system keeps holding them down. And that is what we are talking about in this contract. That is what you have been talking. We can change it, and we are going to change it.