[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          DO WE HAVE THE WILL?

  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, last week by nearly a 5-to-1 margin the House 
voted against the only specific plan for a balanced budget within the 
next 5 years--without touching Social Security and without raising 
taxes. Only 73 of us were willing to bite the bullet and vote for a 
list of more than 500 specific cuts totaling $600 billion in savings. 
Still opponents of a balanced budget amendment argue passionately that 
a balanced budget measure is unnecessary because all we need to do is 
find the courage to make tough choices.
  If the 342-73 vote on the Solomon balanced budget amendment last week 
proved anything, it proved that such courage does not exist in this 
House. Clearly it is time for a balanced budget constitutional 
amendment; we will not eliminate our staggering and ever-growing 
national debt without it. I do not like having to amend the 
Constitution--but I like bankrupting the Nation even less. If you are 
in doubt, ask your children and grandchildren how they feel about it.

                          ____________________