[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 16 (Thursday, January 26, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               VOTE FOR BARTON BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

  (Mr. BAKER of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues 
today, I am proud of what the Republicans have done already under the 
banner of the Contract With America.
  We have made true fiscal responsibility in Congress the hallmark of 
our legislative plan. And at the very heart of this plan, we have 
placed the one tool that is absolutely essential to restoring 
accountability--the balanced budget amendment.
  For too long, Congress denied its responsibility by using tax 
increases to cover up its own lack of political will to make tough 
budgetary decisions. Limiting the ability of Congress to raise taxes 
will force Congress to set real budget priorities. If there is one 
thing 40 years of Democrat rule should have taught us, it is that their 
party consistently lacks the will to make the tough decisions. Yet we 
cannot trust that fiscal conservatives will always run the House of 
Representatives.
  To safeguard our children from a return to the profligate ways of our 
congressional past, we must enact a budget balancing tool with teeth.
  I urge this House to support the Barton amendment that will forbid 
increases without both parties participating. Vote for the 60-percent 
rule.

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