Statement on Signing the Ninth Continuing Resolution

Statement on Signing the Ninth Continuing Resolution

January 26, 1996

Today I have signed H.R. 2880, the ninth continuing resolution for
fiscal year 1996 that I have signed into law.
This bill ensures that the normal operations of Government continue
for departments and agencies for which no full-year appropriations bill
has been enacted. It provides funds for certain Federal activities
through March 15, and other activities through September 30, 1996.
Specifically, H.R. 2880 provides funds, through March 15, for
activities that are normally funded in the Commerce, Justice, State, and
Related Agencies bill; the Department of the Interior and Related
Agencies bill; the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill;
and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and Independent Agencies bill. It also provides full-year
funding (i.e., through September 30) for programs in the Foreign
Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs bill, ensuring
adequate funds to implement an effective foreign policy that protects
vital U.S. economic and strategic interests abroad.
I am pleased that the Congress avoided another partial government
shutdown, and I appreciate its bipartisan approach toward this bill.
Nevertheless, I regret that the Congress has not sent me acceptable 1996
appropriations bills for agencies that received funding only through
March 15. Governing by continuing resolution is not the appropriate way
for the Congress to perform its work. Once again, I urge the Congress to
work with me so that we can reach agreement on the remaining fiscal year
1996 appropriations bills.
I also urge the Congress to send me a straightforward, full-year
extension of the debt limit. If the Congress does not raise the debt
limit, we would not be able to meet all of our financial obligations on
February 29 or March 1, and would risk not being able to make timely
payment of $30 billion of Social Security benefits and other
obligations. A default could raise interest rates and impose serious,
long-term harm on the economy. The Congress must act without delay.
Finally, I urge congressional leaders to return to our negotiations
to seek an agreement on a balanced budget. We should not give up on that
goal.
William J. Clinton
The White House,
January 26, 1996.