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Akron, OH, October 14, 1965
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Akron, OH, October 14, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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U.S. Congress. 1789-
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The original documents are located in Box D19, folder "Akron, OH, October 14, 1965" of
the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D19 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Excerpts from an address
Akron, Ohio Oct. 14, 1965
Without over-indulgence in political partisanship, I am sure we can
agree that a strong two-party system and a meaningful balance in government
are best for the national interest.
When the balance of power is critically and steeply tilted by an over-
whelming majority in either political party, we have collective conformity
in government.
Today one political party controls Congress by a two to one majority.
The situation prompted one Washington quipster to comment: "When the
President sends a message to Congress, his political partisans don't know
whether to clap their hands or click their heels."
The President recently predicted that this Congress "will leap into
history as the most effective and most rewarding Congress for all the
people in all the history of America."
His praise is understandable, This Congress has given him almost
everything he wants.
The President has virtually unlimited resources for working his will
a veritable army of experts, authorities, researchers and the like. This
establishment is available to every Chief Executive, no matter his political
party.
At this point in history, the President commands a branch of government
that employes more than 2-million civilians and controls the destiny of
2 million 600-thousand military personnel. These two groups have a payroll
cost totalling $28 billion. Together they will spend more than 127-billion
tax dollars in fiscal 1966.
For the sake of comparison in establishing the slanted balance of power
in government, it can be pointed out that the number of employes in the
Congressional legislative branch total little more than 9,000 persons,
-more-
QERALE FORD VIBRARY
Speech excerpts
Rep. Gerald R. Ford
-2-
The question to be answered is whether the Congress operates merely as
a limp arm of government, bending like a wet noodle to the will of a
President armed with a 2 to 1 majority in the House and Senate or whether
it is to be a strong, coordinate branch of government exercising fair but
independent judgment.
Within the intent of the Constitution has the present Congress been
effective? Has there been independent judgment? Has there been enough
questioning and investigation of proposed legislation?
The documented record provides the answers.
The federal school aid bill, which will cost $1.3 billion in the first
year of operation, is a good example of the silence imposed on the elected
representatives on Capitol Hill by the existance of political power and
the brutal use of such power.
House Republicans prepared 29 amendments each aimed at making the
proposed legislation more sensible, more meaningful and more within the
guidelines of the Constitution.
Of these, four were debated only five minutes and 14 were allowed no
debate, Authors of the latter amendments were given no opportunity to
explain them to their colleagues.
The silent treatment was given to several amendments that would have
concentrated $200 million in Federal funds on the education needs of
economically-deprived children.
The silent treatment was ordered for another amendment requiring state
approval of supplementary educational centers to assure coordination of
Federal activities with state plans and policies.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment demanding that Federally-
financed local education centers be conducted in accordance with State law.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment to remove the Federal
government from involvement in buying textbooks.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment that would remove
Federal standards of approval for local educational centers.
The silent treatment prevented exhaustive debate on at least three vital
and controversial issues involved in the education bill.
- more -
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
In my judgment, there were other issues that should have been given complete
and open debate. The throttling of dialogue falls short of serving the best
interests of the American people. When Congress is gagged, the American people
are gagged.
*
*
*
There are reasons for being optimistic.
I have a strong faith in the good judgment of the American people.
Congress is taking steps to improve its image, to improve its day-to-day
working habits.
I believe most Americans are realizing that they have to help the Congress
become a stronger partner in the relationship of the Executive and Judicial
branches of government.
Governors in many states now realize that if their units of government are
to be strong partners, their constitutions must be modernized. More governors
are strengthening their desire to assume responsibilities and not pass them off
to the federal establishment.
There is a growing realization that our system of government is the finest
in the history of mankind, We believe in our Constitution. Those wise men who
put it together created an historic document.
I emphasize it is politics and politicians that have put the breath of
life and the blood in the veins of the still bones of a constitutional system.
*
*
*
The responsibility of the American people is to help keep our republic
strong, progressive and free.
To accomplish this goal, we must all remember that a government big enough
to give us everything we want is a government big enough to take from us
everything we have.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Excerpts from an address
Akron, Ohio Oct. 14, 1965
Without over-indulgence in political partisanship, I am sure we can
agree that a strong two-party system and a meaningful balance in government
are best for the national interest.
When the balance of power is critically and steeply tilted by an over-
whelming majority in either political party, we ave collective conformity
in government.
Today one political party controls Congress by a two to one majority.
The situation prompted one Washington quipster to comment: "When the
President sends a message to Congress, is political partisans don't know
whether to clap their hands or click their heels."
The President recently predicted that this Congress "will leap into
history as the most effective and most rewarding Congress for all the
people in all the history of America."
His praise is understandable, This Congress has given him almost
everything he wants.
The President has virtually unlimited resources for working his will---
a veritable army of experts, authorities, researchers and the like. This
establishment is available to every Chief Executive, no matter his political
party.
At this point in history, the President hommands a branch of government
that employes more than 22-million civilians and controls the destiny of
2 million 600-thousand military personnel. These two groups have a payroll
cost totalling $28 billion. Together they will spend more than 127-billion
tax dollars in fiscal 1966,
For the sake of comparison in establishing the slanted balance of power
in government, it can be pointed out that the number of employes in the
Congressional legislative branch total little more than 9,000 persons,
-more-
GERALD FORD LIBRAR)
Speech excerpts
Rep. Gerald R. Ford
-2-
The question to be answered is whether the Congress operates merely as
a limp arm of government, bending like a wet noodle to the will of a
President armed with a 2 to 1 majority in the House and Senate or whether
it is to be a strong, coordinate branch of government exercising fair but
independent judgment.
Within the intent of the Constitution has the present Congress been
effective? Has there been independent judgment? Has there been enough
questioning and investigation of proposed legislation?
The documented record provides the answers.
The federal school aid bill, which will cost $1.3 billion in the first
year of operation, is a good example of the silence imposed on the elected
representatives on Capitol Hill by the existance of political power and
the brutal use of such power.
House Republicans prepared 29 amendments each aimed at making the
proposed legislation more sensible, more meaningful and more within the
guidelines of the Constitution.
Of these, four were debated only five minutes and 14 were allowed no
debate. Authors of the latter amendments were given no opportunity to
explain them to their colleagues.
The silent treatment was given to several amendments that would have
concentrated $200 million in Federal funds on the education needs of
economically-deprived children.
The silent treatment was ordered for another amendment requiring state
approval of supplementary educational centers to assure coordination of
Federal activities with state plans and policies.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment demanding that Federally-
financed local education centers be conducted in accordance with State law.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment to remove the Federal
government from involvement in buying textbooks.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment that would remove
Federal standards of approval for local educational centers.
The silent treatment prevented exhaustive debate on at least three vital
and controversial issues involved in the education bill.
- more -
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
In my judgment, there were other issues that should have been given complete
and open debate. The throttling of dialogue falls short of serving the best
interests of the American people. When Congress is gagged, the American people
are gagged.
*
*
There are reasons for being optimistic.
I have a strong faith in the good judgment of the American people.
Congress is taking steps to improve its image, to improve its day-to-day
working habits.
I believe most Americans are realizing that they have to help the Congress
become a stronger partner in the relationship of the Executive and Judicial
branches of government.
Governors in many states now realize that if their units of government are
to be strong partners, their constitutions must be modernized. More governors
are strengthening their desire to assume responsibilities and not pass them off
to the federal establishment.
There is a growing realization that our system of government is the finest
in the history of mankind. We believe in our Constitution. Those wise men who
put it together created an historic document.
I emphasize
it is politics and politicians that have put the breath of
life and the blood in the veins of the still bones of a constitutional system.
*
*
The responsibility of the American people is to help keep our republic
strong, progressive and free,
To accomplish this goal, we must all remember that a government big enough
to give us everything we want is a government big enough to take from us
everything we have.