[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 64 (Thursday, May 15, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRESS IN AWKWARD POSITION WITH REGARD TO BUDGET DEAL

  (Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, this Congress is in an 
awkward position. Congress must decide whether to accept the budget 
deal negotiated with the President that proposed the biggest 
entitlement expansion in history, a President that tried to nationalize 
one-seventh of the U.S. economy, a President that only 4 years ago 
passed the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Clearly, making a deal 
with the President with that track record must be viewed with caution.
  But the American people have also voted to elect the Congress that 
will do exactly that. So these are the questions I am asking.
  First, does the budget really balance by the year 2002?
  Second, does this budget provides permanent tax relief to working 
families?
  Third, does this budget provide for adequate defense spending?
  Fourth, will this budget result in more jobs for my constituents, 
more job opportunities for college graduates and a higher standard of 
living for Americans?
  And fifth, will this budget contain policies that tend to weaken or 
strengthen the family?
  Those are the questions, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking, and the 
answers to those questions will determine which way I will vote.

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