[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 45 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E483-E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONTRACT WITH AMERICA ADVANCEMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 28, 1996

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, the American people overwhelmingly 
supported our Contract With America. Today we take another step toward 
implementing the commonsense reforms the American people support.
  The measure before us today goes a long way toward ensuring the 
American dream. It raises the Social Security earnings limit to $30,000 
by 2002. The current law punishes our seniors who chose to remain 
productive beyond age 64. Seniors lose $1 in Social Security benefits 
for every $3 they earn above $11,250. Today's seniors have a lot to 
offer and the Government should not penalize them for it.
  One of the greatest things this country has to offer is its 
entrepreneurial spirit. Yet ironically, it is the vehicle for this 
entre-prenuerialism--small business--that bears the burden of 
overwhelming regulatory machinery. The small business items in the 
contract return common sense to the regulatory process and gives small 
businesses the advantages they need to succeed. Small business is the 
engine that drives this country. When small business succeeds, America 
succeeds.
  Finally, we have the opportunity to implement one of Ronald Reagan's 
great visions--the line-item veto. This provision would allow the 
President to selectively weed out wasteful pork-barrel spending in a 
bill. It ensures Government spends hard-working American's tax dollars 
wisely.

[[Page E484]]

  Mr. Speaker, the Contract With America outlines a vision for our 
country based on the values that our Nation holds dear--individual 
liberty, economic opportunity, and personal responsibility. Our vote 
today puts us another step closer to making this vision a reality.

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