[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ``REDUCE THE FEDERAL DEBT, ENHANCE THE LINE ITEM VETO''

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                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 1998

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, about a year ago, I stood on this floor for 
the first time as a Member of Congress and spoke in support of the 
balanced budget agreement. In my comments, I praised all those who 
worked diligently to secure our Nation's immediate future by tackling 
the deficit. However, I also recognized that another, more ominous 
problem awaited us on the horizon; and that problem could only be 
addressed once we got a handle on our deficit. That problem, Mr. 
Speaker, is our national debt.
  We all know the numbers--the federal debt now stands at over $5.3 
trillion, which amounts to roughly $20,000 for every man, woman, and 
child in the country. According to the President's budget, we must 
allocate roughly 14 percent of our budget this year simply to pay the 
net interest on the debt.
  Mr. Speaker, I know all of you share my enthusiasm over the continued 
expansion of the economy and the economic forecasts predicting a 
balanced budget as early as fiscal year 1999. In addition, we are all 
aware of the debate currently being waged with respect to what our 
priorities should be if we experience a budget surplus; however, now is 
not the time to abandon our fiscal belt-tightening. Rather, the tools 
we now have in place to ward against pork-barrel spending need to be 
preserved and enhanced.
  An example of this is the President's line item veto authority. As 
you recall, the impetus behind the line item veto was, in part, to ward 
against wasteful spending--a concern that I believe is paramount 
regardless of whether a budget deficit or surplus exists. Mr. Speaker, 
it is with this particular concern in mind that I come to the floor 
today. For without legislative action, the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 
and the fiscal responsibility if represents will be endangered due to a 
technicality.
  Under current law, the President may enroll this authority only in 
the event of a budget deficit. Regardless of our opinion over how the 
President recently used this authority, if we support the ideal behind 
the legislation, we must remain vigilant against wasteful spending and 
provide this continued authority in the event of a budget surplus.
  Today, I dropped a bill to remedy this problem and I urge my 
colleagues' serious consideration and support in moving his fiscally 
prudent legislation forward.
  Mr. Speaker, my proposal would preserve the continuation of the line 
item veto by adding language to the Act clarifying its applicability 
during a budget surplus and directly the savings to be used to reduce 
the national debt. This not only provides clear congressional intent, 
but also strengthens the constitutionality of the Act by limiting the 
delegation of authority between the Legislative and Executive branches 
to times of a deficit or a surplus.
  Again, I believe that this is a great, fiscally responsible issue for 
all in Congress to champion during the 2d session and I welcome your 
comments and cosponsorship. Please join me in supporting this 
legislation.

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