[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 166 (Wednesday, October 25, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H10754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET: THE BIGGEST GAMBLE OF THE DECADE

  (Mr. VENTO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, the House, with its budget, is set for the 
biggest gamble of the decade. The gamble is to reduce the deficit. I do 
not think it will do that. More important, it is going to increase the 
human deficit, the human suffering in this country. It reneges on the 
basic commitments we have had to decency and to families.
  In fact, speaking of unfairness, last week's Wall Street Journal 
pointed out that the Republican tax breaks increases taxes for those 
under $30,000 income, because it eliminates part of the earned income 
tax credit; because the child tax credit you have been hearing about 
does not help low-income people.
  In fact, of course, it cuts programs like education, Medicaid, school 
lunches. The Medicaid program is completely decimated by this 
Republican budget measure. We are going to see the reopening of the 
institutions for the disabled in our States. There is going to be 
inadequate funds to meet basic health needs.
  The Governors in this country, good Governors they may be, are not 
capable of the miracle of loaves and fishes. They cannot make something 
out of nothing. That is what they are being handed by the GOP proposed 
programs. A block grant. This has all the grace of cement blocks being 
dropped on our States. These block grants are going to deliver stones 
back home in place of help. This Republican plan will especially hurt 
children--16 million kids receive Medicaid; they need their health 
care, education, and nutrition programs.
  Mr. Speaker, reject this, reject the tax breaks for the affluent. Let 
us keep our commitments to our American families and to the kids, our 
hope for tomorrow. Let's not gamble away the children's milk, health, 
and school money.

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