[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 90 (Monday, June 5, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7707-S7708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE BALANCED BUDGET RESOLUTION

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, unfortunately I was unable to 
vote on the balanced budget resolution and several pending amendments. 
I was the commencement speaker for the 1995 graduating class of Johns 
Hopkins University in Baltimore from which my niece and nephew were 
also graduating.
  However, had I been here to vote I would have voted against the 
resolution because I believe it hurts too many Americans. It hurts our 
seniors and it hurts our students.
  Everything this country has fought for is being attacked in this 
budget, Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care, veterans health care, and 
education.
  We must have a call to arms to save lives and save people.
  Mr. President, during consideration of the budget resolution, Senator 
Conrad offered an amendment which would have achieved a balanced budget 
by 2004.
  I support Senator Conrad's approach to balancing the budget because I 
believe that it represents a far more equitable approach to balancing 
the budget than the budget resolution which passed the Senate.
  Mr. President, I support the Conrad amendment because it balances the 
budget without counting the Social Security trust fund surplus. I have 
stated in the past that I cannot support a balanced budget that does 
not protect Social Security. A promise made must be a promise kept.
  We cannot jeopardize the retirement benefits of the G.I. Joe 
generation--the generation that fought and saved civilization. We owe 
it to our veterans and their families to ensure a safe and secure 
future.
  In addition, I support the Conrad amendment because it fully funds 
education and restores some of the cuts to veterans programs, 
infrastructure investments, and technology programs, while still 
achieving a balanced budget.
  Mr. President, I also want to express my strong support for an 
amendment offered by my colleague, Senator Kennedy, to restore funding 
for college aid.
  The Republican budget resolution would cut $30 million in Federal aid 
to college students over the next 7 years. This is the largest 
education cut in U.S. history.
  This is unacceptable. Education must be a No. 1 priority. It is with 
me and it should also be a priority in this budget.
  Senator Kennedy's amendment would have helped to restore college 
student aid funds. This amendment did not pass, but yet it is extremely 
important when half of all college students receive Federal financial 
aid.
  However, I am pleased that the Snowe amendment which was adopted will 
restore $9.4 billion over 7 years to student loans. I support this 
amendment because I know what it will mean to Maryland's students.
  Our undergraduate students borrow the maximum of $17,125 just to be 
able to afford a college education, access to increased opportunities 
and to achieve the American dream.
  The cost of college has skyrocketed and our students need our support 
through Federal financial aid programs or through innovative 
initiatives like National Service. We cannot turn our back on them now.
  Mr. President, in this budget, we are given cuts, not compassion. As 
an appropriator, I know firsthand what these cuts mean. These are not 
numbers. These are not statistics. These are not line items. They are 
issues people care about.
  Balancing the budget should not be about rhetoric or about scoring 
political points. Balancing the budget should be about honoring the 
contributions of the G.I. Joe generation, the generation who worked 
hard, played by the rules, and served our country well. It is for those 
who are fighting for the future generations of Americans. 
[[Page S7708]] 
  Mr. President, the Senate still has a long way to go this year and a 
lot of work to do on this Nation's budget. This resolution is not the 
final word and I look forward to setting this Nation's priorities 
straight and fighting for the generations to come.


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