Speech #980151907

There are a number of issues the country would like to see brought up. I know the very light schedule in the near future. I think. for example. of a constitutional amendment to permit prayer in schools. of an omnibus crime package. which the President sent up a long time ago. of the immigration bill. of the Bankruptcy Act. of a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget or legislation concerning lineitem veto. I wonder if the distinguished majority whip might tell us. since later in the year we will undoubtedly be told that there are too many things tb do. the House is too busy. why is it not possible in the early part of the year to schedule some of these things and. in the case. for example. of voluntary prayer in school. an issue which is almost 25 years old and which has been studied long enough. and surely we could schedule a debate and have an up or down vote and allow the American people to see things. I wondered if the distinguished majority whip might tell us why we are having such a light schedule when there are issues which the overwhelming majority of the American people would like to see this Congress act upon.