[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               IN SUPPORT OF THE EXON-GRASSLEY AMENDMENT

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the budget conference will soon begin. I 
want to talk to my colleagues about what has become the No. 1 issue for 
that conference and that is the Exon-Grassley amendment.
  I just want to briefly remind you what that amendment does and the 
importance of preserving it. It is a $26 billion cut in the President's 
budget, and that is opposed to the House of Representatives rubber-
stamping that budget this year.
  The administration just released its March report on 
economic indicators. The news is somewhat troubling.

  Civilian employment fell 221,000 in March; interest rates for 3-month 
T-bills were 3.06 percent in January 1993, and are now at 3.5 percent; 
10 year T-bills were at 6.6 percent in January 1993, and now at 6.72. 
The administration's budget estimated that it would be at 5.8 percent 
for the next 5 years. So already there is a lot of additional costs 
there just from underestimating what interest rates would be.
  In addition, CBO reported that the February deficit was $1.6 billion 
higher than projected.
  And we are all familiar with the rollercoaster recently in the stock 
and bond markets. The continued growth in the economy can only partly 
offset this news.
  A recent Wall Street Journal editorial points to the latest economic 
indicators and the market and suggested that a major factor in this is 
that there have been no efforts to cut the deficit--no efforts to cut 
the deficit. Remember, the other body rubberstamped the President's 
budget. As an example, the editorial cited opposition to the Exon-
Grassley $26 billion cut.
  The message is very clear: To help keep our economy stable and 
growing, we must make greater strides in reducing the deficit to 
instill some confidence in the people that we are really trying to do 
something about the deficit.
  The irony is we should be talking about increasing the size of 
spending restraint even beyond what Exon-Grassley did, not cutting 
Exon-Grassley in half.
  Unfortunately, there is a lot of talk from the leadership in both 
Houses about doing just that--cutting the $26 billion Senate figure in 
half. As it stands, the Exon-Grassley amendment amounts to only one-
third of 1 percent over the next 5 years.
  Who in their right mind can look their constituents in the eye and 
honestly say they support reducing the deficit when they cannot support 
this minuscule amount of spending cuts?
  But we need to watch the big spenders closely. They are already 
plotting to undermine these cuts through gimmicks and tricks.
  The Bureau of National Affairs--that is the BNA report that your 
office probably gets--quoted one big spender the other day on how to 
undermine the Exon-Grassley amendment, ``put an even smaller amount of 
the cuts in 1995 and stick the larger cuts in the out years, knowing 
the cuts won't come about.''
  Well, the American people are watching and are not going to tolerate 
these smoke and mirrors.
  My colleagues should know that many organizations dedicated to 
reducing the deficit have come out in support of the Exon-Grassley 
amendment, with groups such as Citizens for a Sound Economy and 
Citizens Against Government Waste making support of this amendment a 
key vote.
  Other groups supporting the Exon-Grassley amendment include:
  The National Taxpayers Union; the Committee for a Responsible Federal 
Budget; the National Federation of Independent Businesses; the 
Financial Executives Institute; the American Business Conference; the 
Small Business Survival Committee; the Christian Coalition; Concerned 
Women for America; Family Research Council; Americans for Tax Reform; 
the Association of Concerned Taxpayers; and the Seniors Coalition.
  I ask unanimous consent that their letters be printed in the Record 
at the conclusion of my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1.)
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Every day more groups are joining in the fight to 
reduce the deficit and pass the Exon-Grassley amendment.
  Let me briefly touch on two criticisms that have been raised against 
Exon-Grassley.
  The first is that the cuts are not specific. Well, we all know that 
it is the appropriators that decide where the cuts are going to come 
from and it doesn't matter what the budget resolution says.
  If we did specify, the appropriators would claim their jurisdictional 
role and make the cuts where they want. If we don't specify, we are 
attacked for not providing details. You're damned if you do, and damned 
if you don't. So that argument doesn't wash. When you hear people 
saying this, watch out; it is a big spender trying to hide behind a 
little rock.
  What Senator Exon and I did do is reduce the overall level of 
discretionary spending. This is the proper role of the budget 
committee; and shrinking the pie is a legitimate function of the budget 
resolution.
  Second, the big spenders are telling everyone that it will be their 
program that will be cut.
  The big spenders have admitted this is their plan. This morning's 
Congress Daily has one big spender on the Budget Committee saying:

       We will be galvanizing forces outside the Congress that 
     could be affected by the deeper budget cuts. We're going to 
     try to show what the impact will be on various programs.

  The big spenders have even gotten President Clinton to write Congress 
telling us these cuts will be the end of the world. I ask unanimous 
consent that the President's letter be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                              The White House,

                                       Washington, April 11, 1994.
     Hon. John R. Kasich,
     Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Kasich: As you and your colleagues 
     consider the Fiscal Year 1995 budget resolution in 
     conference, I urge you to support the level of discretionary 
     spending cuts that is reflected in the House budget 
     resolution and to oppose the additional cuts proposed in the 
     Senate resolution.
       The discretionary spending levels contained in the House 
     resolution reflect the hard freeze on outlays that was such 
     an important part of last year's budget, which produced 
     nearly $108 billion in savings over five years, and which is 
     forcing extremely difficult choices upon both the 
     Administration and the Congress. Indeed the budget I proposed 
     would cut some 300 existing programs and terminate 115. With 
     this hard freeze already forcing significant spending cuts; 
     the unallocated additional discretionary cuts contained in 
     the Senate resolution pose a direct threat to two vulnerable 
     areas of the budget which are essential to our country's 
     future: the defense budget and our program of investments in 
     long-term growth.
       I am particularly concerned about the impact of these cuts 
     on our military. The additional cuts would almost inevitably 
     result in reductions in defense funds. Any significant 
     reduction in defense spending below the levels I have 
     requested would make it impossible to fund adequately the 
     multi-year investments in the force structure, modernization, 
     and readiness that I approved in the Bottom-Up Review. As I 
     said in my State of the Union Address, we must draw the line 
     against further defense cuts. Our military must be the best 
     equipped, the best trained, and the best prepared in the 
     world. Those on both sides of the aisle who join me in that 
     commitment should support my budget as embodied in the House 
     resolution.
       Similarly, the cuts in the Senate resolution pose a 
     significant threat to our investments in education, training, 
     research, technology, and crime-fighting that are critical to 
     long-term economic growth and the well-being of America's 
     families. These investments have already been trimmed 
     significantly to conform to the hard freeze. Significant 
     further reductions would seriously damage our efforts to 
     provide more and higher-paying jobs today and in the future, 
     to train today's workers and educate our children to perform 
     jobs, and to fight the plague of violent crime in our cities 
     and towns.
       The 1995 budget I submitted reduces the Federal deficit by 
     40 percent and provides for three consecutive years of 
     decline in the deficit for the first time in nearly a half-
     century. I am convinced that the careful path of deficit 
     reduction we agreed upon last year is a critical factor in 
     the stable, non-inflationary economic growth we are now 
     experiencing. The level of additional cuts proposed in the 
     Senate resolution poses a threat to our national security and 
     to needed investments in our economic future. I urge you to 
     support the level of cuts reflected in the House 
     discretionary spending levels.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Clinton.

  Mr. GRASSLEY. This is the highest form of extortion of the taxpayer, 
because in my view, it is disingenuous.
  From the way people are acting around here, you would think we had 
actually slashed spending for 1995 below 1994. Unfortunately, that is 
not the case.
  So I warn my colleagues not to be caught up with the chicken littles 
who are running around saying the sky is falling.
  Remember we are only talking about a $26 billion cut out of $2.7 
trillion in discretionary spending over the next 5 years.
  It is shameful the claims opponents are making against this 
amendment, and they should be embarrassed by their propaganda.
  As a conferee, I will be fighting hard to preserve the full $26 
billion in cuts. I remind my fellow conferees that it is the Senate's 
clear position to support the full $26 billion in cuts.
  Three times during floor consideration of the budget the Senate 
overwhelmingly defeated efforts to waterdown or strike the Exon-
Grassley amendment.
  The message to the conferees is that the Senate will accept nothing 
less than the full $26 billion in deficit reduction.
  I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their steadfast 
support for this bipartisan effort to reduce the deficit.
  In particular, I commend Senator Exon for his continued leadership 
and also Senators Simon, Conrad, and Lautenberg for their support for 
the Exon-Grassley amendment in the Budget Committee.
  Having gone against my party and the White House in previous budget 
debates, I know what a tough decision they all had to make when there 
was a Democrat in the White House and they are Democrats. So its good 
to have these deficit hawks with us.
  I also want to thank the many deficit hawks on my side of the aisle 
for their continued support for deficit reduction.
  Finally, let me remind my colleagues that this is the last train 
leaving the station this year for real deficit reduction. We need to 
give the taxpayers at least one victory in this year's budget.

                               Exhibit 1


                                     National Taxpayers Union,

                                   Washington, DC, April 13, 1994.
       Dear Representative: The 250,000-member National Taxpayers 
     Union (NTU) strongly urges you to vote in favor or the Penny-
     Kasich Motion to accept the $26 billion in cuts approved by 
     the Senate.
       A bipartisan effort, led by Senators Exon and Grassley, in 
     the Senate Budget Committee resulted in a resolution which 
     includes an amendment to cut discretionary spending by $26 
     billion. In the House, a bipartisan team led by 
     Representatives John Kasich, Tim Penny, and Charlie Stenholm 
     is working to keep the Senate cuts intact.
       While no plan to cut federal spending is painless, the 
     motion is an important step to avoid the greater economic 
     pain to deficits spiraling out of control.
       The American people have sent a clear message to Congress--
     cut spending and balance the budget. A vote for the Penny-
     Kasich Motion proves that you hear the people and heed their 
     voices.
       Vote YES on the Penny--Kasich Motion to preserve the Senate 
     cuts.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Jill Lancelot,
                                  Director, Congressional Affairs.
                                  ____



                                        The Seniors Coalition,

                                    Washington DC, April 12, 1994.
       Dear Member of Congress: We at The Senior Coalition, a non-
     profit, non-partisan organization representing over 2,000,000 
     members and supporters in all fifty states, support budget 
     cuts in pork-barrel discretionary spending in order to 
     protect the Social Security Trust Funds.
       Accordingly, we urge you to help protect Social Security by 
     supporting the Penny-Kasich motion to preserve the Senate's 
     $26.1 billion in spending reductions over five years passed 
     in S.Con.Res. 63.
       How do spending cuts and progress toward a balanced budget 
     help Social Security?
       Currently, Social Security is operating with a cash reserve 
     of less than 2 years. Some claim that today's high FICA taxes 
     are creating a much larger surplus to ``cushion'' the system 
     when the ``baby boomer'' generation retires, but where is the 
     money?
       The answer is that it has been ``borrowed'' by the 
     government through U.S. bonds to finance the federal deficit.
       Many in Congress claim that these ``I.O.U.s'' will be paid 
     back to Social Security to meet the need of tomorrow's 
     retirees, but when a nation has a debt of over 4 trillion, 
     and not a penny has been paid back since the last balanced 
     budget in 1969, can we trust Social Security's future to a 
     government IOU?
       The father into debt the nation falls, the less likely we 
     will ever pay off the nation's debt to the Social Security 
     Trust Fund. Future benefits (guaranteed by the then worthless 
     bonds) will have to be paid for with higher taxes or benefit 
     cuts.
       Balancing the budget would mean no additional government 
     bonds to finance the deficit, and no more `borrowing' from 
     the Social Security Trust Fund. This would truly protect the 
     future of our nation's retirees.
       The Penny-Kasich motion is an excellent start. If we can't 
     cut $26.1 billion today, what kind of future do we have. What 
     kind of future does Social Security have. Please think of 
     that before you vote. Thank you for your consideration.
           Sincerely.
                                                      Jake Hansen,
                                   Director of Government Affairs.
                                  ____

                                       Committee for a Responsible


                                               Federal Budget,

                                   Washington, DC, April 11, 1994.
       Dear Former Colleague: This is just to let you know that 
     someone out there really cares about Senate efforts to reduce 
     federal spending and the deficit. Thank you for your vote on 
     the Exon/Grassley amendment to the budget resolution. We 
     understand that this is just a first step, the Senate still 
     has to reaffirm your commitment actually to cut spending as 
     you consider individual appropriations bills and/or 
     legislation to reduce the discretionary spending caps enacted 
     as part of last year's budget agreement. But you are trying 
     to make good on the promises Congress and the Administration 
     made last year to cut spending more and you are to be 
     congratulated for those efforts.
       We believe that now, while the economy is growing, 
     unemployment is declining, interest rates are edging up and 
     inflation fears are surfacing, is the optimum time to do more 
     to reduce federal spending and the deficit. We are pleased 
     that a majority of the Senate seems to share that view. Let 
     us know what we can do to further your efforts.
           Best regards,
                                                     Henry Belmon.
                                  ____



                               Financial Executives Institute,

                                     Washington DC, April 8, 1994.
     Hon. John R. Kasich,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Kasich: On behalf of Financial Executives 
     Institute, I am writing to offer FEI's strong support to the 
     bipartisan effort in the House led by you, Rep. Tim Penny, 
     and Rep. Charlie Stenholm to preserve the Senate's $26 
     billion in spending cuts passed in S. Con. Res. 63.
       Financial Executives Institute (FEI), is a professional 
     association of 14,000 senior financial executives from some 
     8,000 major corporations throughout the United States and 
     Canada.
       As senior financial executives, we have long understood the 
     correlation between fiscal responsibility and the efficient 
     operation of our corporations. Indeed, if any corporation 
     operated in the same manner as the Federal Government, the 
     SEC would shut it down.
        While attempting to cut an extra $26 billion from the $1.5 
     trillion budget will not balance the budget, it does send an 
     important message to the American people that Congress is 
     willing to take a small step toward curbing the runaway 
     budget deficit.
       We commend you and your colleagues for your tireless 
     dedication to effect real change in the way Congress spends 
     the American people's hard earned dollars. FEI stands ready 
     to assist you in this important effort.
           Sincerely,
                                                         J. Kaitz.
                                  ____



                            Citizens Against Government Waste,

                                    Washington, DC, April 8, 1994.
       Dear Representative: The House soon will consider a motion 
     to instruct the conferees on the FY 1995 Congressional Budget 
     Resolution, to be offered by Representatives John Kasich (R-
     OH), Tim Penny (D-MN), and Charles Stenholm (D-TX). The goal 
     of the motion to instruct is to preserve $26 billion in 
     budget cuts adopted last month in the Senate version of the 
     Budget Resolution. As you are aware, Senators James Exon (D-
     NE) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) offered the successful 
     amendment, and we are anxious to see the House of 
     Representatives follow suit.
       It is time to make the cuts count. This is not just another 
     motion. This instruction to the conferees would set an 
     example for fiscal responsibility in our nation's budget 
     process. The effort in the Senate to include the cuts 
     totaling $26 billion was completely bipartisan. Three 
     attempts to strip some or all of the spending cuts were 
     defeated.
       Inside the Beltway, this may be a tough vote for some 
     members of Congress. But American taxpayers know that adding 
     to the deficit is more painful than a single vote in the U.S. 
     House of Representatives.
       The 600,000 members of the Council for Citizens Against 
     Government Waste (CCAGW) urge you to vote to recede to the 
     spending cuts in the Senate Budget Resolution. It is a vote 
     in the best interest of our children and their children. 
     CCAGW will rate this vote in our annual ratings.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Thomas A. Schatz,
                                                        President.
                                  ____



                                                         NFIB,

                                   Washington, DC, April 11, 1994.
     Hon. ------,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative: On behalf of the over 600,000 members 
     of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), I 
     urge you to support the motion to instruct House conferees on 
     the Budget Resolution to accept the $26 billion in spending 
     cuts approved by the Senate. I strongly encourage you to 
     support this motion when it comes to the House floor for a 
     vote.
       The vote is likely to take place on Wednesday, April 13. 
     Representatives Penny and Kasich are planning to offer the 
     bipartisan motion to accept the spending cuts approved by the 
     Senate. Senators Grassley and Exon led a bipartisan effort 
     resulting in the Senate Budget Committee reporting out a 
     resolution which included an amendment to cut discretionary 
     spending by $26 billion over the next five years. The full 
     Senate adopted the resolution including the cuts by a vote of 
     57-40.
       The House motion to accept the $26 billion in cuts 
     represents just a fraction of all federal spending; however, 
     it is a necessary step to reduce the deficit and the size of 
     the federal government. NFIB members have consistently and 
     overwhelmingly voted in favor of immediate deficit reduction, 
     88% in favor most recently.
       NFIB members believe that spending must be cut now. Again I 
     urge you to vote for the bipartisan motion to instruct 
     conferees to adopt the $26 billion in spending cuts passed by 
     the Senate.
           Sincerely,
                                               John J. Motley III,
                                   Federal Governmental Relations.
                                  ____



                                 American Business Conference,

                                                   Washington, DC.

               ABC Resolution on Fiscal Year 1995 Budget

       Resolved, the American Business Conference (ABC), 
     reaffirming its view that persistent federal budget deficits, 
     combined with a low rate of national saving, are serious 
     impediments to long-term economic growth, calls on the House 
     and Senate budget resolution conferees to adopt the spending 
     cuts approved by the Senate in its budget resolution for 
     fiscal year 1995. These spending cuts represent an additional 
     reduction over five years of $43.2 billion in budget 
     authority and $26 billion in outlays from the Clinton 
     Administration's budget proposal and the budget resolution of 
     the House of Representatives. Believing, with the President, 
     that the defense budget should not be subject to additional 
     cuts beyond those achieved in OBRA 1993, ABC calls on House 
     and Senate conferees to direct that the spending cuts fall on 
     non-defense programs.
                                  ____

                                       Committee For A Responsible


                                               Federal Budget,

                                   Washington, DC, April 11, 1994.
       Dear Former Colleague: This week, the House is expected to 
     vote on a resolution to be offered by Representatives Penny, 
     Kasich, Stenholm and others. The resolution will instruct 
     House Conferees to agree, in the conference on the budget 
     resolution to the Exon/Grassley amendment, to cut spending 
     and the deficit.
       We believe that now, while the economy is growing, 
     unemployment is declining, interest rates are edging up and 
     inflation fears are surfacing, is the optimum time to do more 
     to reduce Federal spending and the deficit. We urge you, 
     therefore, to support the Penny/Kasich/Stenholm resolution 
     and other serious proposals to achieve that goal. Let us know 
     what we can do to support your efforts toward that end.
           Best regards,
                                                    Henry Bellmon.
                                  ____



                                          Christian Coalition,

                               Capitol Hill Office, April 4, 1994.
       Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of the one million 
     members and supporters of the Christian Coalition, we urge 
     you to resist any efforts to weaken the spending cuts now 
     contained in S. Con. Res. 63, the concurrent budget 
     resolution for fiscal year 1995.
       A bipartisan effort, led by Senators Exon and Grassley, in 
     the Senate Budget Committee resulted in a resolution which 
     includes an amendment to cut discretionary spending outlays 
     by $26 billion over the next five years. Now the bipartisan 
     team of Representatives Penny, Stenholm and Kasich is leading 
     this effort in the House to keep these cuts. These spending 
     reductions are only a modest step in reducing the deficit, 
     yet it is imperative that they be preserved.
       Congress has had several opportunities, but has failed, 
     this year to reduce the deficit and provide tax relief for 
     families. We know this is to the frustration to many of those 
     Members who for years have tried to cut spending and to those 
     Members who were elected in the last cycle on pledges of 
     fiscal reform.
       On April 15, millions of American families will be required 
     to pay almost 40 percent of their income on taxes combined 
     for all levels of government. Families have no choice but to 
     spend within their means. It is time for Congress to do the 
     same.
       The legacy of debt we are leaving for our children is a 
     disgrace. We urge you to preserve the $26 billion in spending 
     reductions. The fiscally responsible votes will be ``YES'' on 
     the previous question and ``YES'' on the original Kasich 
     Amendment.
           Sincerely,
     Marshall Wittmann,
       Director, Legislative Affairs.
     Heidi Scanlon,
       Director, Governmental Affairs.
                                  ____



                                  Concerned Women for America,

                                    Washington, DC, April 6, 1994.
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative: Concerned Women for America's members 
     throughout the United States are very disturbed by the 
     increased tax burden on families which often compels both 
     parents to enter the work force in order to make financial 
     ends meet. Ironically, two-thirds of a working mother's 
     salary in the average two parent, two-income household, will 
     still go to pay for federal taxes rather than additional 
     income for her family.
       Representatives John Kasich (R-OH), Tim Penny (D-MN) and 
     Charlie Stenholm (D-TX) recognize the overwhelming burden 
     placed on American families and are working to secure 
     America's future through deficit reduction and responsible 
     government spending. In continuation of the bipartisan 
     amendment passed in the Senate, Concerned Women for America 
     urges Members to cut discretionary spending outlays by $26 
     billion over the next five years. These cuts are the first 
     step assuring a sound economic future for America's children. 
     In order to achieve deficit reduction, the government must 
     work the way American families reduce their own personal 
     budget problems--through the reduction of spending.
       CWA believes that is a winning issue. Our members strongly 
     urge you to vote ``YES'' on the previous question and ``YES'' 
     on the original Kasich Amendment to the FY 95 Budget.
       Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to 
     working with you further on this issue. Concerned Women for 
     America is the largest non-partisan, politically active 
     women's organization in the nation, representing over 600,000 
     members.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Beverly LaHaye,
                                                        President.
                                  ____


                          CSE Key Vote Notice

                                                   April 12, 1994.
     Issue: Budget Resolution (Motion to Instruct House 
         Conferees).
     Vote: For the Previous Question and the Kasich Amendment.
       Dear Representative: On behalf of the 250,000 members of 
     Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE), I urge you to vote yes on 
     the previous question and yes on the original Kasich 
     Amendment to instruct House conferees to accept the $26 
     billion in spending cuts. A vote for both issues signifies 
     your support to preserve the spending cuts passed by the 
     Senate.
       CSE will count this as a KEY VOTE to be reported to our 
     members in your district. This KEY VOTE will be used to 
     determine your eligibility for our Jefferson Award, to be 
     presented at the conclusion of this Congress.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Michele Isele,
                           Vice President of Government Relations.
                                  ____



                                      Family Research Council,

                                    Washington, DC, April 7, 1994.
       Dear Member of Congress: We strongly urge you to support 
     the Kasich/Penny/Stenholm motion to instruct the House 
     conferees on the Budget Resolution to accept the Exon-
     Grassley amendment as added in the Senate. The Exon-Grassley 
     amendment will require an additional $26 billion in 
     discretionary spending cuts over the next five years.
       This step towards greater deficit reduction is important to 
     families because of the special interest that families have 
     in future generations. Parents are concerned that any debt 
     that is passed on to the next generation will serve as a 
     serious hindrance to their children's economic well-being. 
     Reducing the deficit is vital to the long-term strength of 
     the U.S. economy and thus the long-term economic strength of 
     the family.
       The cuts in Exon-Grassley are small, calling for only one-
     third of one percent over the next five years. The benefits, 
     however, of beginning to reduce the deficit are great. Please 
     do not pass up this opportunity for deficit reduction.
       Please support the Exon-Grassley amendment by voting for 
     the Kasich/Penny/Stenholm motion to instruct the conferees.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Gary L. Bauer,
                                                        President.
                                  ____



                                     Americans for Tax Reform,

                                   Washington, DC, April 12, 1994.
     Hon. John Kasich,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Kasich: On behalf of the members of Americans for 
     Tax Reform, I want to thank you for your efforts to achieve 
     real deficit reduction, without raising taxes.
       As we approach April 15, the real pain of a growing tax 
     burden is being felt by millions of Americans. All the more 
     important then, is your motion to instruct House conferees to 
     accept the modicum of spending cuts enacted by the Senate in 
     the Budget Bill. I am happy to support this effort, and to 
     commit the members of ATR to the battle. Feel free to make 
     whatever use of this letter you wish.
           Sincerely,
                                               Grover G. Norquist.
                                  ____



                           Association of Concerned Taxpayers,

                                   Washington, DC, April 12, 1994.
     Hon. John Kasich,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear John: Your efforts to achieve a reasonable substitute 
     for the Clinton Budget are of primary importance. It is 
     critical that we continue to move towards fiscal sanity, and 
     clear that your proposal did that.
       Unfortunately, the House saw fit to continue its profligate 
     ways. The taxpayer fared somewhat better in the Senate, if 
     the House will accept the Exon-Grassley amendment cutting the 
     budget by $26 billion over five years. While this does not 
     achieve the level of savings in the original Kasich 
     substitute, it is a good step in the right direction, and 
     deserves support.
       Please count the members of the Association of Concerned 
     Taxpayers among the supporters of your effort to instruct the 
     House conferees to accept the Senate position.
       And thanks again for your efforts.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Gordon S. Jones.
                                  ____



                            Small Business Survival Committee,

                                    Washington, DC, April 4, 1994.
       Dear Small Business Owner: A coalition of national 
     grassroots organizations are working to cut spending and save 
     taxpayers money, but their efforts may be wasted unless we 
     act now to let our voices be heard!
       Recently, the U.S. Senate Budget Committee adopted a 
     resolution to cut $26.1 billion dollars in discretionary 
     spending from the budget. That means $26.1 billions of 
     wasteful spending taxpayers and small business owners won't 
     have to pay for! This measure was approved by the Senate in a 
     57-40 vote.
       The House of Representatives is now considering a motion 
     offered by Rep. John Kasich (R-OH), Tim Penny (D-MN), and 
     Charles Stenholm (D-TX) to preserve $26 billion in spending 
     cuts adopted by the Senate. There is a danger that some 
     congressman may try to substitute an alternative resolution 
     for the Kasich amendment that won't cut spending. In fact, 
     the $26 billion dollars in savings could be spent on new and 
     wasteful programs!
       The voice of small business must be heard on this critical 
     issue! The Small Business Survival Committee believes that 
     spending must be cut now, not sometime in the future. All 
     SBSC members are urged to contact their congressional 
     representatives before April 12 and tell them to vote ``YES'' 
     on the original Kasich amendment.
       Your congressional representative can be reached at 202-
     224-3121 (Capitol switchboard), or through your local 
     district office.
       Thank you for your effort. Every day small business owners 
     have to make tough financial decisions--its about time 
     Congress does the same. Your voice counts!
           Sincerely,
                                                   Karen Kerrigan,
                                                        President.

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I yield the floor and, seeing no other 
Senator wishing to speak, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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