[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL COMMISSION ON BUDGET CONCEPTS ACT

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2000

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced the National 
Commission on Budget Concepts Act.
  Over three decades ago, President Lyndon Johnson established his 
Commission on Budget Concepts. The Commission's task--to make the 
Federal budget a more useful document for public policy making--was no 
easy assignment. Nonetheless, the Commission put forth many sound 
suggestions that policy makers and the public embraced. That was 
thirty-three years ago.
  Times have changed. Before Republicans balanced the budget, we had 
deficits as far as the eye could see. Now we are forecasting surpluses 
in the trillions of dollars. Suddenly everybody agrees that the Social 
Security surplus should not be touched. We are taking trust funds 
offbudget. We are paying off principle on the debt.
  Mr. Speaker, we are treading on unfamiliar ground. We should 
establish a new commission that will review the federal budget in 
today's terms, and figure out how it can best be presented in today's 
climate.

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