[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            WHAT A DIFFERENCE A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS HAS MADE

  (Mr. GUTKNECHT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, let us look back at where we were just 
four short years ago.
  Deficits were headed up to $300 billion. Millions of Americans were 
being trapped in a welfare cycle. Medicare was headed towards 
bankruptcy, and that was threatening seniors' health care. Billions 
were being wasted on Washington programs that were unnecessary or 
ineffective. Interest rates were too high, and our economy was 
teetering, and taxes on families were going up and up and up.
  Mr. Speaker, let us look at where we are today.
  Deficits no longer exist. We have balanced the budget. We have taken 
2 million families off of welfare rolls and put them on payrolls. 
Medicare is solvent. Three hundred programs have been eliminated here 
in Washington. Interest rates have dropped by over 2 percent, and taxes 
on families is going down.
  Mr. Speaker, what a difference a Republican Congress has made.

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