[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AND POTOMAC FEVER

  (Mr. WHITE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. WHITE. Mr. Speaker, it looks as though the balanced budget 
amendment once again is going to fall victim to the disease that we see 
way too much of here in Washington, DC, a disease that you might call 
Potomac fever. How do you know if you have Potomac fever?
  Well, if you have wobbly knees or are weak or of faint heart, you 
might have Potomac fever. If you have a sudden urge to break a campaign 
promise, then you definitely have Potomac fever because that is what we 
see all too much of here today.
  This disease is not restricted to a particular party or a particular 
issue, and the effects are devastating not only on a politician's 
career, that is OK, but also on the sort of legislation that we can 
enact in this House.
  Mr. Speaker, unfortunately with the balanced budget amendment, the 
lesson is very clear. The American people support this amendment, our 
country needs this amendment so we can get our budget in order. But 
because of Potomac fever, it looks like we are not going to get it 
again this year. That is a shame, Mr. Speaker. I hope we can do it 
again next year.

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