[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 11, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Americans want a more open and 
honest government. Last week I voted with the majority to open our 
Congress to ensure public hearings. But also last week the Committee on 
the Budget rejected on a party line vote a requirement requiring 
Congress to tell how the balanced budget amendment would be 
implemented.
  We should require this House to specify those cuts to reach that 
balanced budget. The Congressional Budget Office has said it would cost 
$1.2 trillion in cuts by the year 2002 to reach that balanced budget. 
In the name of honesty, openness, and constructive planning, we must 
set that course to achieve the goal.
  The people need to know how and what and when these cuts will be 
made. We talk about a Contract With America. Let us not forget our 
contract with our senior citizens in 1935 for Social Security, our 
seniors for health care in 1965, and our veterans that provide them 
benefits for their sacrifices for their country.
  The people of these United States will remember that our contract is 
renewed next year unless we tell them how we are going to fulfill the 
contract we agreed to.


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