[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 3, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1345
             REPUBLICANS HAVE MET BALANCED BUDGET CHALLENGE

  (Mr. ROHRABACHER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I remember, and I think the American 
people remember, that last year when we Republicans tried to pass a 
balanced budget amendment, we were defeated because the Democrats 
claimed, ``Oh, my goodness, you don't need a balanced budget amendment, 
you don't need to amend the Constitution, just present a balanced 
budget. Why do you have to amend the Constitution?''
  OK, we met the challenge. The Republicans came up with a balanced 
budget. And the very same Democrats who voted against the balanced 
budget amendment to the Constitution, claiming we should just do it 
here legislatively, are now opposing our balanced budget.
  For 4 years we have heard this President claim to be a new Democrat. 
In fact, 4 years ago he was running on a campaign motto of being 
someone who was going to end welfare as we know it and would balance 
the budget. Now, after 4 years of rhetoric, we have come to where he 
cannot dodge anymore.
  The fact is we have laid upon the table a balanced budget. He claims 
to have been in favor of the balanced budget. I hope the American 
people remember that, too. But when the Republicans lay their 
alternative out, the President refuses to lay out his alternative, and 
that is the reason the Government is shut down today.

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