Statement on Signing the Twelfth Continuing Resolution

Statement on Signing the Twelfth Continuing Resolution

March 29, 1996

Today I have signed into law H.J. Res. 170, the Twelfth Continuing
Resolution for fiscal year 1996.
House Joint Resolution 170 provides for a temporary extension of
appropriations, through April 24, for activities funded in the five
appropriations bills that have not been enacted into law. Thus, it
prevents a third government shutdown.
Full-year funding is provided for the Federal payment to the
District of Columbia and the Federal contribution to the District's
retirement funds. Language is included to permit the seven unions of the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue to represent FAA
employees and to bargain collectively on their behalf.
I commend the Congress for providing $198 million to cover the costs
of civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace accords in Bosnia.
Subject to certain conditions, these funds will be available to finance
civilian programs identified for the rest of fiscal year 1996. The
commanders of the United States military units that are part of the
NATO-led Bosnia Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) have strongly urged
that the Congress make these funds available expeditiously in order to
support their military mission. This bill provides an appropriately
prompt response to their request.
In addition, the provision of this $198 million will enable the
United States, as provided for in this bill, to mobilize broad
international support for economic revitalization at an aid donor's
conference on Bosnia, scheduled for mid-April. In sum, the bill
demonstrates bipartisan support for the kind of American leadership
abroad that serves our country well.
Despite this accomplishment, we are now halfway through the fiscal
year, and the Congress still has not completed the work it should have
done six months ago. That is a disservice to the American people.
While this is taking place, school districts around the country are
facing the possibility of teacher layoffs, environmental clean-ups are
being delayed, and States, local governments, and government contractors
must contend with continuing uncertainty as they seek to provide
critical services to the public.
My Administration has been working with the Congress in an effort to
resolve our differences on funding levels for education, the
environment, and other key priorities, as well as on numerous special
interest legislative riders. We have made some progress in our
discussions, but many difficult issues remain to be resolved.
It is time for the Congress to do its job. I call on the Congress to
meet its responsibilities by sending me legislation for the remaining
fiscal year 1996 appropriations bills in an acceptable form.
I hope that this will prove to be the final continuing resolution
for fiscal 1996, and I intend to continue working with the Congress to
ensure that it is.
William J. Clinton
The White House,
March 29, 1996.