[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E857-E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

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                               speech of

                           ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 1997

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, During rollcall vote No. 105, I was 
unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' I 
ask unanimous consent that the Record reflect my support for House 
Resolution 93, and that I be permitted to submit a statement for the 
Record.

[[Page E858]]

  I am proud to speak today in favor of House Resolution 93. This 
resolution states that Congress should not change the consumer price 
index. If any changes are found to be necessary, they should be made by 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Federal agency with the necessary 
technical expertise and resources.
  Many Federal programs including Social Security, Medicare, and 
Veterans' benefits are tied to the consumer price index in order to 
determine cost-of-living adjustments based on inflation. Congress 
simply lacks the technical knowledge required to properly deal with any 
change in the consumer price index. Only the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
can adequately evaluate and address the situation. This resolution 
today makes this crystal clear.
  The consumer price index should not be politicized, nor should the 
budget be balanced through budgetary gimmicks. It is imperative that 
our Nation's seniors be protected. Promises have been made to our 
seniors that cannot be broken. I am committed to making sure that our 
Government keeps the promises it has made to the generation that saw us 
through some of the darkest moments of the 20th century.

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