[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 2 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E85]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRUTH IN BUDGETING ACT

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Truth in 
Budgeting Act and commend its sponsor, the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
[Mr. Shuster] for bringing this important measure to the floor.
  This legislation transfers the Highway, Aviation, Inland Waterways 
and Harbor Maintenance Trust Funds off budget and provides that trust 
fund balances will not be used in calculations by the Congressional 
Budget Office regarding the Federal budget.
  This bill guarantees that transportation taxes such as the taxes that 
our constituents pay when they fill up their gas tank or when they buy 
an airline ticket are used for their stated purpose, to improve and 
reinforce our country's transportation infrastructure.
  Currently cash balances in the transportation trust fund total $30 
billion. It is wrong that this funding is being used to mask portions 
of our Nation's budget deficit as opposed to upgrading our country's 
transportation infrastructure. This bill is a positive step forward 
ensuring that our highways and airports get the help they need and 
according to the Congressional Budget Office is an action that is 
budget neutral.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support this 
worthy legislation.

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