[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 19, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H15097-H15098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NOW WE MUST DECIDE ON SPENDING PRIORITIES

  (Mr. DOYLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I was in my district this weekend and I spoke 
with many people throughout western Pennsylvania who are upset with the 
budget impasse here in Washington. One of my constituents, Joe Palumbo, 
put it to me quite simply when he said--``Mike, why can't Republicans 
and Democrats, stop bickering and sit down together and work out their 
differences.
  It's a good question. Yesterday over 350 members of this House agreed 
to balance the budget in 7 years using the latest CBO economic 
assumptions. We agree on balancing the budget, now we have to decide on 
spending priorities. Let me ask three things of my colleagues, both 
Democrat and Republican as an early Christmas present.

[[Page H15098]]

  First, let us tone down our rhetoric and listen to each other as well 
as talk.
  Second, let us respect each others concerns over tax cuts, Medicare, 
education, and other items as valid.
  And finally, let us not miss this historic opportunity to reach a 
compromise that will balance our budget in a fair and equitable way.
  Americans are counting on us.

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