[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5095-S5096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           BUDGET RESOLUTION

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, the budget resolution which has just been 
adopted by this body is a remarkable achievement. It is a remarkable 
achievement partly because, for the first time in decades, it was 
adopted by a large bipartisan majority rather than as a simple partisan 
document. It is a remarkable achievement as well, I believe, because 
each of the 78 Members of this body who voted for it did so with 
serious reservations about substantial portions of that budget 
resolution. Yes, it meets the primary objective of the President and of 
the vast majority of Members in Congress in that it establishes 
policies under which the budget will, in fact, come into balance 
shortly after the turn of the century.
  Yes, it does, in fact, limit spending and the growth of Government to 
a slower rate at least than would take place were we on automatic 
pilot.
  Yes, it meets some but by no means all of the President's priorities 
as he outlined them in his State of the Union Address.
  And, yes, it provides very real tax relief for the American people, 
most particularly for working American parents and their children. But 
those of us for whom tax relief was a major goal are unhappy because it 
is insufficient and because there are too many new spending programs, 
and those relatively indifferent to tax relief but in favor of all of 
the President's priorities, and more, are unhappy because there is not 
enough spending included in this resolution.
  In the long run, however, Mr. President, I believe that it represents 
a triumph, or rather the culmination of a set of conflicting ideas 
which somehow

[[Page S5096]]

or another have joined together to make a real success.
  In 1993, along with every one of my colleagues on this side of the 
aisle, I opposed President Clinton's first budget in the firm belief 
that it would result in harm to our economy. Now, in a very real sense, 
we were wrong. For a group of reasons, the budget deficit did, indeed, 
decline and economic opportunity did, indeed, increase.
  In 1995, as a part of a majority, we proposed a dramatic change in 
direction, a real balanced budget for the first time, genuine tax 
relief for the first time and major reforms in entitlement programs 
designed not only to help the taxpayers' pocket, but to save the future 
of Medicaid and of Medicare.
  That resolution never became law because of the President's veto, but 
it did have one tremendously positive impact. For the first time, the 
President and a majority of his party dedicated themselves actually to 
balancing the budget. During the entire year during which that 1995 
budget was debated, interest rates declined, it became easier and 
easier for the people of the United States to purchase homes, purchase 
automobiles, start new businesses, provide job opportunities. Only when 
the promise began to fail did interest rates, once again, increase.
  The promise was renewed early this year, and a few short weeks ago 
met fruition in an agreement between the Republican leadership of both 
Houses and the President of the United States.
  Since even the commitment to a balanced budget paid dramatic 
dividends in increased economic opportunity, lower unemployment and 
lower interest rates, the accomplishment of a balanced budget, I am 
convinced, Mr. President, will bring even more rewards to the American 
people in lower interest rates and greater opportunity, and for the 
first time in decades meeting our responsibility not to spend money 
today while sending the bills to our children and to our grandchildren.

  I am convinced, in spite of my own disagreement with some of the 
policies in this proposal, that it will have nothing but good results 
with respect to the economy of the United States. Yet, Mr. President, I 
am convinced there are still very real troubles ahead, very real rough 
spots in the road.
  I note that while only eight Members of the Democratic Party voted 
against the budget resolution, the vast majority of them voted for 
amendment after amendment during the course of the last 3 days that 
would have increased taxes and increased spending, by my own total for 
the amendments, by $88 billion in higher taxes and almost that amount 
in greater spending--direct violations of the agreement that they and 
the President have made with the Republican leadership.
  As a consequence, I am convinced that it is important for all of us 
on both sides of the aisle to remember that we made a commitment to the 
American people in this agreement, one that was almost instantly 
approved by the vast majority of our citizens, and keep not just those 
parts of the agreement with which we agree, but those with which we 
disagree.
  I am the chairman, Mr. President, of a subcommittee of the 
Appropriations Committee. The agreement includes a number of 
Presidential priorities that can only be funded through my 
subcommittee. Several of those priorities are ones with which I 
disagree. I think the money could be spent elsewhere better. But I do 
feel committed to keep those unpleasant parts of the agreement in order 
to reach the overall more important goals that are a part of a historic 
budget resolution.
  So, in one sense, Mr. President, the vote a few hours ago was the 
culmination of a process and of a debate which has lasted for many, 
many years. In another sense, it is only the beginning. And unless it 
is taken seriously by those who support it, we still face the prospect 
of failing.
  I am an optimist. I think that this is a new beginning, more than an 
ending to a long period of arid political exchanges. I look forward to 
working with all of my colleagues in order to make it happen.
  (The remarks of Mr. Gorton pertaining to the submission of Senate 
Concurrent Resolution 29 are located in today's Record under 
``Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions.'')
  Mr. THURMOND addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Grams). The Senator from South Carolina.
  (The remarks of Mr. Thurmond pertaining to the introduction of S. 813 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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