[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       AMERICA WANTS MEMBERS TO COORDINATE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, many people ask me, how can you come to an 
agreement on the balanced budget with a President whose vision for 
America is so much different than your own? That is a fair question. I 
think we should address that this morning.
  The answer, of course, is with great difficulty. It is no secret that 
the Democrats and Republicans have honest fundamental differences in 
our view of the role of government in our lives. It is no secret that 
the Democrats want government to have a greater role in our lives, and 
Republicans think that the Government's role is far too great.
  It is no secret that the Democrats want to increase the size and 
power of government. Republicans want to reduce it. It is no secret 
that the Democrats think that more government can help to solve the 
problem of poverty. Republicans think that far from ending poverty, 
government welfare programs perpetuate it.
  Mr. Speaker, we disagree on matters of principle, but the American 
people have asked us to work together to balance the budget. Let us go 
forward and carry out their wishes.

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