[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES SPENDING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 26, 1999

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I am a longtime opponent of congressional 
pay raises and pork barrel spending. The time for us to make tough 
choices is most certainly here. I am encouraging the leadership of the 
House to reject attempts to cut spending on vital government programs 
across the board. Instead, let's eliminate the proposed congressional 
pay hike and the countless budget earmarks.
  I staked out this proposal in a letter today to Speaker of the House 
Dennis Hastert requesting that he reject the proposed across-the-board 
spending cuts at a time when Congress is scheduled to receive a pay 
raise. I am also suggesting that Speaker Hastert should turn back the 
spending programs we call ``earmarks.''
  In light of budget realities and constraints on spending, we must 
define and protect our priorities as we are forced to make other 
spending sacrifices. The proposed 1.4 percent across-the-board spending 
cut would have disastrous effects on critical programs such as defense 
and education, as well as vital programs for senior citizens.
  This reckless round of cuts would threaten our military's readiness 
and reduce the number of men and women in uniform. Cutting across the 
board could deprive almost 7,000 children and their families of the 
proven value of the Head Start program. Furthermore, the cuts would 
reduce aid to our nation's farmers. Disaster assistance and income 
assistance would both be reduced at a time when they are so badly 
needed.
  My proposal could save the government billions of dollars. Giving up 
the 3.4 percent pay raise and cutting away earmarked proposals would 
eliminate the need for indiscriminate spending cuts which would 
devastate already under-funded programs.
  Mr. Speaker, the time to act is now. We have to make the tough 
choices that the American people sent us here to make. For us to meet 
our obligations and protect Social Security, we will have to make 
sacrifices. We will have to do the right thing.
  I am hopeful that the House leadership will make the right choice at 
this critical moment in the budget debate. It will take courage. It 
will require us to make tough choices. And that's our job.

                          ____________________