[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 186 (Monday, November 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H13353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ON THE WAY TO A BALANCED BUDGET

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Gibbons] is recognized during 
morning business for 2 minutes.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rejoice with all Americans that 
Government employees are back at work today serving the American 
public. That is the way it should have been all along. There was no 
need for the crisis we just went through. Apparently one person's ill-
disposition got us in that jam.
  Mr. Speaker, we are on the way to a balanced budget. We have been on 
that way for 3 years; 3 years ago, the annual fiscal deficit stood at 
about $300 billion. It is now down to about $160 billion annual fiscal 
deficit. It is coming down.
  Every economist that studies this question will tell you how quickly 
we reach a balanced budget depends upon the strength of the American 
economy: How well does American business do, how well do American 
workers do, and how well the Government do because they all do well? 
That is what is going to bring the budget into balance. There are some 
problems that need to be fixed. They can be fixed and they will be 
fixed.
  I notice that some of my Republican colleagues got up here and 
condemned the tax increase that the President pushed through 2 years 
ago. Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, the bill that comes to the 
floor from the Republican Party does not repeal a single one of those 
taxes that they have condemned so heartily. They control this place. 
They could repeal those taxes if they wanted to, but they have not seen 
fit to do it. It is still the law of the land. So that is just crybaby 
time.
  Now, the question before us all is not when the budget is balanced. 
We all want to do it as soon as possible. The question is how you do it 
and who is going to pay for it. Keep your eyes on that, American 
public. We do not want children, poor people, working poor people, sick 
people, or old people to have to bear the burden. Take the rich tax cut 
off for the very wealthy and the budget is easily balanced.

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