[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]




               A BALANCED BUDGET AND A SMALLER GOVERNMENT

  (Mr. FORBES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, what a difference 4 years makes. Four years 
ago the President proposed the largest tax increase in U.S. history, 
the largest entitlement expansion in American history, and the 
strongest, clearest signal in U.S. history that big government, in 
their way of thinking, was truly the answer to all of our problems. 
This was in exactly the opposite direction from where many of us from 
across the country believe this Nation must be headed.
  Now, 4 years later, I am happy to see that a majority of Americans 
and a majority of this Congress on both sides of the aisle agree that a 
reasonable government, as opposed to big government, is the way to 
tackle some of our more difficult problems.
  Mr. Speaker, this country has been going in a direction of bigger 
government and higher taxes for the past 30 years. We have now signaled 
with action this week in passing a balanced budget, the first time in 
30 years, we have signaled that we are ready to own up to our 
responsibilities as a Congress, Democrats and Republicans united, to 
pass a balanced budget. I commend the House and all my colleagues.

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