[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 18 (Monday, January 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       PROPOSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

                                 ______


                               speech of

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 26, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.J. Res. 1) 
     proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of 
     the United States:

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong agreement with my 
colleague from New York, Congressman Jerry Solomon, who yesterday 
called the balanced budget amendment, ``the most important matter the 
House will address during the 104th Congress.''
  The important thing to remember today is that I am here at the 
request of my constituents who overwhelmingly support this historic 
legislation.
  As an advocate of fiscal responsibility, I have been fighting for a 
balanced budget amendment since I ran for Congress more than 2 years 
ago.
  Implicit in this legislation is a measure to require that a balanced 
budget is achieved without touching the Social Security trust fund. We 
must leave Social Security alone.
  Time and time again, Congress has failed to summon up the courage to 
attack spending. This constitutional amendment makes courage the law 
and forces us to get our financial house in order.
  In addition to the balanced budget amendment, we also need the line-
item veto and legislation prohibiting unfunded mandates. By enacting 
all of these proposals, we can help reduce the deficit and make a start 
on balancing the budget.
  I supported the Barton substitute with the three-fifths tax 
limitation provision because I think it is the best approach to make it 
as difficult as possible to raise taxes to balance the budget. Raising 
taxes simply lifts the burden off of Congress and places it on the 
backs of hard-working, American taxpayers.
  As the Hamburg town supervisor, I was required by law and by my 
constituents to balance the town budget each and every year. The 
American people are calling on us to balance the Federal budget, and we 
can respond with this law requiring us to do just that.
  Local governments are forced to balance their budget. State 
governments are forced to balance their budget. Yet the Federal 
Government has failed to balance the budget since the Johnson 
administration.
  We must always keep in mind that we are the representatives of the 
people. As such, we must listen to the voices of Americans. Their 
voices are loud and clear. Pass the balanced budget amendment.




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