[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            IN OPPOSITION TO HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 301

                                 ______


                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to House Concurrent 
Resolution 301, the sense-of-Congress resolution regarding entitlement 
spending. It is with some reluctance that I oppose this measure. I know 
that Mr. Orton and the supporters of this resolution have worked hard 
and I agree that Congress must face up to the growing problems 
associated with the explosion of costs in entitlement programs.
  Today, half of all Federal spending is for entitlement payments to 
individuals. In less than 10 years that number will be upward of 65 to 
70 percent--unless, of course, the current benefit and revenue 
structures are significantly revised. Just to illustrate the scope of 
the problem, if the Congress does not act, in less than 10 years most 
entitlement benefits will have to be cut by 50 percent or the taxes 
paid to support payments doubled.
  Having said that, I reluctantly oppose the resolution and the 
amendments to be offered by Mr. Orton because this debate, at this 
time, is sure to be unproductive and may only serve to make reform of 
entitlement programs more difficult to accomplish in the future. The 
proper time and place for the Congress to debate these issues is after 
thoughtful and sober hearing and analysis, not in the closing hours of 
a congressional session.
  The Bipartisan Entitlement Commission, chaired by Senators Bob Kerrey 
and John Danforth, is conducting an extensive study of all aspects of 
entitlement spending. They will issue a final report to the President 
and Congress at the end of the year. The 104th Congress should hold 
extensive hearings on that report and consider legislation to bring 
about real and sustained reform of these programs.
  The prudent course of action is to carefully review all options for 
reform and the potential impact of all reform proposals before we vote. 
We should await the Kerrey-Danforth Commission report before acting. 
For these reasons, I must oppose this resolution.

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