[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     THE MAJORITY LEADER'S SPEECH ON THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, the distinguished majority leader has 
just spoken on the floor. I would like to note--and it is in the 
Record--his speech from last night on the balanced budget. I am not 
seeking to embarrass the distinguished Senator from Maine. But in my 20 
years in the Senate, I do not know of anybody in leadership in either 
party that has ever given as strong, as powerful, as cogent, and as 
compelling a speech as my friend from Maine did.
  I think he underscored something that all of us as Senators ought to 
realize. We are not here, any of us, from any State because we own a 
seat in the U.S. Senate. We are here to take full advantage of the fact 
that the Constitution gives us 6-year terms so that we can look at 
things carefully, think them through, and do what is best for the 
country.
  The famous colloquy between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, 
the coffee being poured into the saucer to cool it and the saucer being 
referred to as the U.S. Senate, came to mind as I heard the 
distinguished Senator from Maine last night.
  If the U.S. Senate is to truly be the conscience of the Nation, as it 
should be, we should be here voting the same way in an open session on 
the record as we would if we were voting in a secret ballot. We should 
be willing to stand up, all of us, all men and women, in this body and 
do what is right.
  So, Madam President, I do not want to detain the distinguished 
Senator from Maine, nor do I want to embarrass him, nor have I made a 
speech like this at any other time in my 20 years here, but I was so 
moved by what he had to say, both on the floor and earlier in the 
caucus, that I wanted to note that fact.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam President, I thank my colleague for his kind 
words. They are very much appreciated, especially coming from such a 
good friend, whom I respect and admire so much.

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