[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 17, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1120
                  WE NEED A BALANCED-BUDGET AMENDMENT

  (Mrs. SMITH of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, the honor of serving the 
people of Washington's Third District sometimes makes it difficult to 
spend enough time at home with my family. So I usually devote Sundays 
for that purpose to spend time with my kids and grandkids. I did, 
however, come back to a transcript on my desk waiting for me that was 
rather disturbing. It was a transcript of NBC's ``Meet the Press'' from 
Sunday. I was disappointed to read that Secretary Reich's comments said 
the President is against simply balancing the budget.
  I went on to read because I thought he cannot, certainly, be saying 
that, not after he said that he supported it. But he went on to say the 
goal of a balanced budget is not my goal.
  Well, Mr. Speaker, the balanced-budget amendment may be the most 
important measure that this Congress brings up this session, not 
because the American
 people said it, not because the Republicans made it their top goal, 
but because it is the most important thing we can do for our children 
and grandchildren.

  I spent the day with my grandchildren this Sunday, and it is very 
clear that if I am not going to hand them a debt, I have to get busy 
right now and take action.

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