[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


BY SLOWING GROWTH IN SPENDING FROM 7.6 TO 3 PERCENT WE CAN BALANCE THE 
                             BUDGET BY 2002

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I would like to talk for just a few 
minutes about the rate of increase that we have seen in Federal 
spending and what some of us would like to do to stop that from 
happening.
  Last summer House Republicans held a series of meetings and decided 
that someone had to step up to the plate and do something about this 
very serious fiscal problem. Without question, Madam Speaker, one of 
the most important issues we face today is our soaring national debt. I 
think both parties agree with that. Today it has reached epidemic 
proportions in that we have a national debt of almost $5 trillion, $4.8 
trillion to be more exact.
  Think about the magnitude of it. We are not talking about millions or 
billions that we throw around here daily. We are talking about 
trillions, almost $5 trillion.
  I realize that it is difficult for most people to think in terms of 
trillions. it is for me. But look at it this way. Five trillion is a 5 
with 12 zeroes behind it.
  Or look at it in terms of what $5 trillion means if we divide it 
equally among the American citizens. In those terms $5 trillion means 
$18,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States, and, 
unless we deal with this problem now, by the turn of the century the 
United States will spend more on interest on the national debt than we 
spend on the defense of our country.
  That is why Republicans, and I might say some Members of both 
parties, are offering a fresh approach.
  If we simply slow the growth in spending from what it has averaged 
over the last 10 years, 7.6 percent; that is right, 7.6 percent every 
year increase over the last 10 years, if we slow it to about 3 percent, 
we can balance the budget by the year 2002. Programs that have been 
growing by leaps and bounds must be reined in.
  Now if we are being honest with ourselves and with the American 
people, we and our critics must make it clear that the Republicans are 
simply limiting the rate of growth in a broad variety of programs.
  I say to my colleagues, Yes, if you were told otherwise, you're not 
being told the truth. For example, Republicans want to reduce the rate 
of increase in the school lunch program. This year we're spending about 
$4.5 billion on this program, and we're proposing a spending level of 
$4.7 billion for fiscal year 1996. Now if that sounds to you like an 
increase, you have got it right.
  My colleagues, only in Washington can an increase of $200 million be 
considered a cut, and that is what our opponents are claiming.
  Let us look next at the Child Nutrition Program. We are currently 
spending at a level of $3.47 billion.
  The American people need to know that Republicans want to slow the 
rate of growth in this program by proposing a 1996 spending level of 
$3.68 billion, another $200 million increase. It is an increase over 
present levels, but it is not the astronomical rate of increase that 
some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle want.
  What I am saying is that we are not decimating or gutting these 
programs. We are slowing the rate of growth for them from an average of 
7.6 percent to about 3 percent.
  Let us look at one more program. Let us go to veterans benefits as a 
final example where in 1995 we spent about $17.73 billion. The spending 
level for veterans benefits under our Republican program for 1996 is 
$17.78 billion, another increase this time of $50 million, but a 
reduction in the rate of growth. By doing this we are doing something 
different to bring spending under control. We are doing something 
different because we recognize that there are limits to taxes Americans 
should be expected to pay, and there are limits to the debt we should 
create.
  We need to get real. We need to be straight with the American people, 
particularly with those who are the beneficiaries of the worthy 
programs that we are talking about.
  Join with us in bringing about a realistic, long range spending plan 
that will provide the level of benefits needed but will not bankrupt 
our children and our grandchildren.

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