[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H8970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A CHALLENGE TO DEMOCRATS

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to issue a challenge to my 
Democratic colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I would like for 
someone to explain to me whether it is your view that Republicans are 
extremists for wanting to limit spending and exercise fiscal 
responsibility or is it your view that Republicans are irresponsible 
for not exercising this fiscal responsibility?
  Fiscally irresponsible or extreme. Which is it? I have heard both 
charges repeatedly in the recent weeks; and I am curious to know, for 
those in the party that has been dedicated to expanding government for 
the past 40 years to tell me what is their idea of fiscal 
responsibility?
  I am also a bit curious to know when they think the American taxpayer 
should get some tax relief. After all, if one cannot make the case for 
tax cuts now in the face of $3 trillion budget surpluses over the next 
10 years, just what would it take to convince you that tax relief is 
possible?
  I think it is clear that the party that wishes to limit the size of 
the Federal Government and the party which is careful with the 
taxpayers' money is the real party of fiscal responsibility. So which 
is it? Are Republicans extreme or fiscally responsible in our desire to 
limit Washington spending?

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