[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           BALANCE THE BUDGET

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, last week, during his State of the Union 
Address to Congress, the President paid a great deal of lip-service to 
the need for balancing the budget. Ironically, it was only 2 weeks 
earlier, that members of his own party, said ``We--Democrats--are 
advantaged, both politically and substantially, in not reaching an 
agreement on the budget.'' This confirms the President and his 
colleagues are more interested in campaign politics than in the future 
of this country.
  While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle believe that it is 
to their advantage not to balance the budget, let me remind them of who 
stands to gain the most from a balanced budget--every American. All the 
working families who have mortgages, car notes, or student loans will 
benefit. Interest rates directly affect their standard of living and 
lower interest rates mean more money in their pockets. Those who 
currently rely on Medicare, and those who will in the future, will be 
able to rest assured that these services will be there for them. 
Families, the middle class, and businesses are targeted for tax cuts. 
These are the people who need and will receive the advantages of a 
balanced budget.
  Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority in Congress will continue to 
work toward a balanced-budget agreement. We take our commitments 
seriously. It is time the President and his colleagues did the same.

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