[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 186 (Monday, November 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H13355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        OUTLINE FOR BUDGET TALKS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Ms. DeLauro] is recognized 
during morning business for 2 minutes.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, last night's agreement was a victory for 
the American people. The agreement gives us an outline for the budget 
talks, that truly reflects the values of the people of the United 
States.
  For months and months and months, Democrats have been fighting to 
protect Medicare, education, and the environment from the budget ax. 
Yesterday, President Clinton stood firm for those principles and he 
stood up for our seniors, for our students, and for our environment.
  The agreement also reaffirms the commitment of Congress and the 
President to balance the budget. The question in this battle has never 
been, Will we balance the budget, but how will we balance the budget? 
Yesterday, the President ensured that we will balance the budget in a 
fair manner and in a way that protects health care for our seniors, 
educational opportunities for our children, and that protects our 
environment.
  A balanced budget is a goal that we all share, but there is nothing 
balanced about cutting Medicare for seniors, student loans for our 
children, and rolling back environmental protections while cutting 
taxes for the wealthy.
  Democrats believe that it is wrong to balance that budget by cutting 
Medicare, education, and environmental protections, while doling out 
massive tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. That is why we are so 
pleased that the Republicans have agreed to protect those priorities 
and to put the $245 billion tax cut on the bargaining table.
  President Clinton has started the ball rolling on a real balanced 
budget, one that protects America's priorities: Protecting Medicare, 
education, and our environment.

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