[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENTS

  (Mr. WATT of North Carolina asked and was given permission to revise 
ad extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I first read it in the 
Washington Post and I had my doubts about it. Then I read it in the 
Farm Journal. This is a quote. ``We have to explain to people in 
advance what a balanced budget amendment is going to mean. I am for it, 
but you got to tell people you can't have it without giving something 
up.'' Our Senate majority leader, a Republican.
  He needs to tell the people on this side in the House the same 
message. Unlike his Republican counterparts over here who steadfastly 
refuse to discuss the actual cost of the balanced budget amendment, 
claiming that if Americans knew the real costs, their knees would 
buckle.
  The balanced budget amendment may be good political public relations. 
but it is not integrity and open government, which is what the 
Republicans say they want.
  We have to be honest with the American people about the balanced 
budget amendment.

                          ____________________