Ehrlich on Washington column, September 29, 1996

1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Week of September 29, 1996 CONGRESS KEEPS ITS PROMISES On September 27, 1994, 1 stood on the steps of the Capitol and pledged to help change the way Congress does business. The premise was simple — change Congress, and we will vote on ten common-sense reform strongly supported by the American people. In other words, we pledged to do something radical by today’s standards — we promised to keep our promises. Two years later, I am pleased to report that we kept our part of the bargain. All ten of the proposals outlined in the Contract with America received a full debate and vote on the House floor. Moreover, 46 of the 81 pieces of legislation resulting from the Contract have been signed into law. That is a very impressive record of achievement. Don’t take my word for it. Dr. Norman Omstein, one of the nation’s most respected experts on Congress, said of the 104th Congress’ activities: “This is a plenty respectable output — indeed, it ranks with the top Congresses of the past 30 years.” Another endorsement came from an unexpected source -- President Clinton. During his speech to the Democratic National Convention, Clinton claimed credit for the following Congressional initiatives — the line-item veto; unfunded mandate reform; small business tax breaks; child adoption tax credits; expanded IRAs; and welfare reform.