[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the concurrent resolution 
     (House Concurrent Resolution 290) establishing the 
     congressional budget for the United States Government for 
     fiscal year 2001, revising the congressional budget for the 
     United States Government for fiscal year 2000, and setting 
     forth appropriate budgetary levels for each of fiscal years 
     2002 through 2005:

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, passing a budget resolution should be 
the first step in a process of guiding our country towards fiscal 
stability. In a time when the economy is strong and when there is a 
consensus on things like reducing the national debt, protecting Social 
Security and getting the most out of the dollars we invest, one would 
hope the budget resolution could be accomplished in a constructive 
fashion. At this time, we should establish a blueprint for government 
spending that guides our spending decisions through the coming years 
and gives a signal to the American public about our priorities.
  Unfortunately, again this year that has not been the case with the 
budget resolution. The resolution adopted by the Republican majority 
continues a pattern of budget gimmicks, ambiguity, and deception. The 
Republican appropriators have no intention of following this blueprint 
and there is virtually no one in the Republican caucus who's going to 
have a voting record at the end of this year that would conform to what 
the budget resolution demands. This budget is rife with double 
counting, under counting for important priorities such as a Medicare 
prescription drug benefit, and slashes other priorities for massive tax 
cuts that are not supported by the American public and will not find 
their way into law.
  I voted for four alternatives to this budget, all of which are 
superior to the Republican version which was passed. There are details 
of each that I don't necessarily agree with, but they are each more 
honest and would be better for America than the Republican version.
  I hope I will see the day when we have a budget resolution that 
actually resembles the final budget at the end of the year.

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