[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 196 (Monday, December 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS

  Mr. DORGAN. Let me, in the final minute, say a word about the budget 
negotiations. It is my fervent hope by the end of this week we will 
have reached a budget agreement. That makes sense for this country. It 
makes sense for both political parties. It makes sense for the 
President. It just is the right thing to do.
  It ought to be an agreement that balances the budget and does it the 
right way. There are certain priorities that make sense. It seems to me 
we ought to negotiate between now and the end of this week to reach an 
agreement that balances this budget and does it the right way.
  I know time is short and we face kind of an urgent situation with the 
December 15 continuing resolution, but there is not any reason, with 
good will on both sides to balance this budget, there is not any reason 
at all that we cannot find common ground.
  We have not survived 200 years in a representative democracy without 
understanding the need to compromise. Compromise in a democratic system 
like ours is the essence of getting things done.
  I hope by the end of this week we will be able to stand on the floor 
of the Senate and say we reached an agreement and we reached an 
agreement to balance the budget that is good for this country.

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