[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 DEFICIT REDUCTION LOCKBOX ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. WILLIAM P. LUTHER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1162) to 
     establish a Deficit Reduction Trust Fund and provide for the 
     downward adjustment of discretionary spending limits in 
     appropriations bills.

  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the measure 
before us today, H.R. 1162, the Deficit Reduction Lock Box Act of 1995.
  The lock box legislation is a commonsense, bipartisan effort that 
should have been one of the first accomplishments of this Congress.
  As a new Member of this body committed to supporting serious efforts 
to cut annual Federal spending and to reduce the national debt, the 
lock box approach is long overdue. While I am pleased that this bill 
enjoys broad bipartisan support, I am hopeful that next year's 
appropriations process will have a lock box for real deficit reduction 
in place.
  I commend the bipartisan coalition of Republicans and Democrats who 
worked tirelessly to ensure consideration of H.R. 1162.
  I have held 42 listening sessions in my district so far this year and 
my constituents overwhelmingly believe that the first priority of their 
elected leaders in Washington should be to get our country's fiscal 
house in order. They frankly cannot understand the current approach 
which allows a cut in spending to simply be spent elsewhere in the 
respective appropriation bills. With the budget situation facing our 
country, I likewise do not understand this approach, and I believe it's 
time to make a change.
  Now, with the lock box contained in H.R. 1162, this shell game will 
cease to exist: Savings from budget cuts will be set aside for deficit 
reduction. Most elected officials talk the talk of changing business as 
ususal--this legislation allows us to walk-the-walk and show the 
American people that we are committed to deficit reduction.
  Mr. Speaker, in my first 8\1/2\ months in Congress I have worked with 
many Republicans and Democrats on amendments that cut unnecessary or 
wasteful Federal Government spending. Now, our efforts will be rewarded 
with real deficit reduction. I look forward to our continued efforts.


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