[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 1, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           ORDER OF BUSINESS

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, today I rise as a proud cosponsor of the 
constitutional balanced budget amendment, and I urge its adoption. I 
hope that today, we will be able to enlist the support of the 67 
Senators necessary to pass this balanced budget amendment.
  The time has come to put an end to out of control Federal spending 
that has taken money from the private sector--the very sector that 
creates jobs and economic opportunity for all Americans.
  The President's recent budget proposals for next year offer clear 
evidence of the lack of political will to make the hard choices when it 
comes to cutting Government spending. I strongly disagree with 
President Clinton's decision not to fight for further deficit reduction 
this year.
  The American people are crying out for a smaller, more efficient 
Government. They are concerned about the trends that for too long has 
put the interests of big Government before the interests of our job-
creating private sector. They are irritated by the double standard that 
exists between how our families are required to balance their 
checkbooks and how Government is allowed to continue spending despite 
its deficit accounts.
  It's clear, Mr. President. The time has come to heed the will of the 
people. It is our duty, not only to heed their will, but to act in 
their best interest. And this amendment is in their best interest.
  The President's budget maintains deficits of $200 billion over the 
next 5 years, and the deficits go up from there. His budget does not 
take seriously the need for spending restraint--restraint that would 
put us on a path toward a balanced budget by the year 2002.
  In fact, Bill Clinton proposes spending over $1.5 trillion in fiscal 
year 1995 to over $1.9 trillion in the year 2000. In other words, the 
only path that the president proposes is one that leads to higher 
Government spending and ever increasing deficits.
  Mr. President, my decision to cosponsor this legislation was not made 
lightly. The U.S. Constitution is our Nation's most sacred document. 
Dozens of countries have modeled their constitutions around the 
principles espoused in ours. Many of the emerging democracies around 
the world
 recognize the profound simplicity and timelessness contained in that 
hallowed document.

  Any amendments to the Constitution should be made with care, and with 
careful consideration of the intended outcome.
  I believe the outcome of a balanced budget for our Nation is one of 
the most important steps we can take to ensure the economic 
opportunities for prosperity for our children and for our children's 
children.
  As a nation--and as individuals--we are morally bound to pass 
opportunity and security to the next generation. This is what a 
balanced budget amendment will help us do. As Thomas Paine has written, 
no government or group of people has the right to shackle succeeding 
generations with its obligations. A balanced budget amendment will help 
us prevent the shackling of future generations.
  As chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee I have 
outlined a plan to reduce the Federal bureaucracy, eliminate out-dated 
and wasteful Government programs, and to strengthen Government's 
ability to better serve the taxpayers.
  In January I kicked off a series of hearings on ``Government Reform: 
Building a Structure for the 21st Century.'' It is my belief that as we 
move into the 21st century, so should our Government. Innovative 
technologies should allow us to cut out many layers of management 
bureaucracy, and reduce Federal employment. Programmatic changes should 
also occur.
  Last month, I released a report that I asked the GAO to examine the 
current structure of the Federal Government. The GAO examined all 
budget and Government functions and missions. They did not conduct in-
depth analysis, but simply illustrated the complex web and conflicting 
missions under which agencies are currently operating.
  The GAO report confirms that our Federal behemoth must be reformed to 
meet the needs of all taxpayers for the 21st century. I am convinced 
that it is through a smaller, smarter Government we will be able to 
serve Americans into the next century.
  Deficit spending can not continue. We can no longer allow waste, 
inefficiency, and overbearing Government to consume the potential of 
America's future. I am committed to spending restraint as we move to 
balance the budget by the year 2002. And I ask my colleagues--and all 
Americans--to support our efforts.
  Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the minority leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I would ask that I use part of the leader time accorded 
to me this morning to make a statement as if in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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