[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1647-E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE BALANCED BUDGET AGREEMENT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 1997

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, it is very gratifying to be a Member of the 
105th Congress which now finds its place in the history books by 
passing this legislation to balance the Federal budget for the first 
time since 1969. I am proud to be part of this movement in Government 
toward responsible fiscal behavior. I am also very pleased that our 
bottom line is not only a fiscal line but one that accounts for the 
need to invest in the future.
  This balanced budget agreement accomplishes some things that have 
been driving forces for me both politically and personally. It 
represents good government--one that exercises fiscal responsibility 
but also spends money appropriately to provide financial incentives to 
those who can succeed, compassionate assistance for those in need, and 
basic protections and services as caretakers of our communities and our 
environment.
  This country has made remarkable progress in reducing the Federal 
deficit since 1993. While I was not a Member of Congress when the 1993 
budget agreement was passed, it is remembered as a budget that called 
on everyone across the board to accept spending reductions to achieve 
deficit reduction. The resulting decline in spending, coupled with a 
very strong economy, has now made it possible to finish the job and 
balance the budget perhaps as soon as the next year.
  The American people will never agree completely on how their Federal 
tax dollars should be spent. In a democracy, that is to be expected and 
tolerated. But every American should have confidence that its 
Government is living within its means and requiring accountability of 
those investments it chooses to make. Even if those investments are not 
universally endorsed.

[[Page E1648]]

  Since being elected to Congress, I have voted against what I consider 
to be wasteful spending. I also fought to include stronger budget 
enforcement guarantees in this agreement. The agreement contains some 
basic enforcement language including the continuation of the current 
caps on ``discretionary spending'' and ``pay go'' rules. These 
enforcement provisions are a good start but I had hoped they would be 
much stronger.
  I am a founding member of the Bipartisan Budget Enforcement Group 
which proposed legislation to set a strict timetable each year for 
assessing whether the budget was still on track and require Congress to 
make necessary changes in spending or taxes if the budget did not 
remain balanced. Our bill was tough on spending but it also put 
controls on tax cuts if necessary. This guaranteed that it offended 
just about everyone and had little chance of becoming law. But my group 
shined a spotlight on the need for truth in budgeting and served notice 
to Congress that we are watching. We sent an important message: We will 
not allow the Government to run on autopilot or break its promises.

  Promises--that's really the heart of my personal reason for wanting 
to help a balanced budget become law. My son, Johnny, is my first 
child. He is 1 year old and he is my daily reminder that our dedication 
to fulfilling today's promises will have a profound affect on future 
generations. This budget makes some good investments in people and 
their livelihoods including: Grants to provide medical coverage for 
uninsured children; education tax credits/deductions for tuition at 
institutions of higher education or training; capital gains tax cut; 
estate tax cut for family-owned farms and businesses; new Medicare 
coverage for preventive health care; higher tax deduction for health 
insurance premiums for the self-employed; and increased spending for 
federal supported job training programs.
  These are worthwhile investments in the better health and education 
of our country. I can readily see the difference they will make in the 
lives of the people of western Wisconsin.
  This budget also takes a long-term look at how to keep the promise of 
Medicare for the program's current 37 million seniors as well as the 
baby boomers when they retire. Initially, the agreement makes changes 
to the program that extends its solvency for about a decade. But it 
also establishes the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of 
Medicare. This commission must report to Congress by March 1, 1999, on 
the long-term financial condition of the Medicare trust funds and 
recommend ways to keep the system solvent through 2030.
  This is not a matter to be taken lightly from the standpoint of 
budgetary or health concerns. Medicare has been revolutionary in its 
effect on the health of the senior population of America. We must not 
underestimate the peace of mind that guaranteed medical care in the 
later years of life brings to every American. It is imperative that we 
make some long-term fixes to protect and maintain Medicare for future 
generations.
  We need to balance the budget today and 5 years from now, but we also 
need the political will to look at the long-term needs of our country's 
citizens. We have promises to keep to those who went before us and a 
responsibility to those who will travel the road we pave. The Balanced 
Budget Agreement is a good first step in fulfilling that promise and I 
urge my congressional colleagues to continue this effort for the 
benefit of citizens young and old.

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