[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REVISED BUDGET RESOLUTION REFLECTING THE PRESIDENT'S MOST RECENT 
                                PROPOSAL

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                               speech of

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 19, 1995

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, the most important debate in decades is 
taking place right now. It is a debate about whether this Nation should 
balance the Federal budget in 7 years.
  In October, my Republican colleagues and I did what needed to be done 
for decades. We made difficult decisions and Congress passed a historic 
balanced budget--a budget that finally reforms the Nation's welfare 
system, provides pro-family and pro-jobs tax relief, and saves Medicare 
from bankruptcy. The President has chosen the veto pen over the 
balancing pen. Apparently, he and his Democrat colleagues are not 
interested in a budget agreement if it means actually cutting spending 
and saving billions of dollars for our children.
  This week, parts of the Government are shut down because the 
President chose to veto three appropriations bills. With the stroke of 
a pen, he could open the Government. But he would rather posture and 
make speeches than roll up his sleeves and sit down in good faith to 
negotiate a balanced budget that we can all agree on.
  What the President and Congress do now about balancing the budget, 
will define the scope and the nature of our Government well into the 
21st century. Mr. Speaker, this is a rare chance to step off the 
deficit treadmill. My Republican colleagues and I have delivered to the 
American people a budget plan with honest numbers that balance in just 
7 years. The President must step up to the plate, live up to his word 
and do the same.

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