[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 22, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 TO BALANCE THE BUDGET OR NOT BALANCE THE BUDGET: THAT IS THE QUESTION

  (Mr. MICA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, this week the U.S. Senate will consider a 
balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
  I have only served in Congress for 14 months, and I am convinced more 
than ever that this Congress must enact a balanced budget amendment.
  Why, quite frankly my colleagues and fellow Americans, Congress runs 
the Federal Government like an 18th century plantation with bad 
accounting practices. The spending of your tax dollars here is often 
without rhyme or reason.
  Legislative constraints on spending are worthless. Two weeks ago we 
proved that again with over $11 billion in new spending.
  Gramm, Rudman, and Hollings legislation did not work. Bush and 
Clinton tax increases will not work. Only a balanced budget amendment 
will put the brakes on spending.
  Now do not believe the hollow arguments against a balanced budget 
amendment. States do it, cities do it, and most taxpayers do it.
  I urge my colleagues and all Americans this week to contact members 
of the other body as they decide the fate of the most important 
question facing our Nation.
  To balance the budget or not balance the budget--that is the 
question.

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