[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           A BALANCED BUDGET

  (Mr. LINDER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, the last 20 minutes discussion on Medicare 
is only a symbol of what has been wrong in this town for 30 years. This 
body and the other has been voting benefits to America's citizens and 
said do not worry, you are not going to have to pay for them. We are 
going to pass this bill on to your grandchildren. That is why we must 
have a balanced budget and a balanced budget amendment and it makes 
sense.
  But more than just common sense. It is a promise to our children and 
grandchildren that we will not continue runaway government spending at 
their expense. When my grandsons are old enough to ask me, I do not 
want to have to explain to them why they are paying $3,500 every year 
in taxes just for interest on the national debt and why over their 
lifetime they will pay $187,000 in taxes just to pay interest on the 
debt.
  I refuse to say to them, your future is mortgaged and your country is 
bankrupt. That is why House Republicans have kept their promise to the 
American people and passed the balanced budget amendment. Now the 
Senate can do the same. All we need is for President Clinton to keep 
his word.
  Governor Clinton supported a balanced budget, but last year President 
Clinton persuaded six Democrat Senators to change their vote and defeat 
the amendment. I hope the President will begin to get his actions in 
step with his words.

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