[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 144 (Thursday, October 21, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H10615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LOCKBOX HELD HOSTAGE

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the Democratic leadership in the other body 
has just gotten caught with both hands stuck in that cookie jar of the 
Social Security Trust Fund. On May 26 of this year, 147 days ago, I 
joined with 415 of my colleagues in supporting H.R. 1259. That is the 
Social Security Lockbox.
  The fight to stop the raid on Social Security in this year's budget 
debate offers the best possible reason for passing the Social Security 
Lockbox bill. If the lockbox were in place this year, the big spenders 
would have to think twice before trying to go after the funds that 
rightly should be set aside for seniors of today and tomorrow.
  Unfortunately, the Democratic leadership in the other body has failed 
to act on this vital legislation. The Democratic leadership refuses to 
allow this bill to be brought to the floor for a vote. Six times there 
has been an effort to end their filibuster, and six times, 
unfortunately, that effort has failed. The Democratic leadership has 
held the lockbox hostage for 147 days, and 147 days is long enough. It 
is time for the Democratic leadership in the other body to get its act 
together.




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