[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE BUDGET, BY THE NUMBERS

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, the facts are in, and the numbers do not 
lie. The budget proposed by this Republican-led Congress will meet not 
only all of the needs, but the priorities as well of the American 
people.
  This budget continues our commitment to improving education by 
investing $80 billion next year, that is a 14 percent increase, in the 
education budget; and it supports our national defense with a $14 
billion budget increase, and a $5.7 billion increase specifically for 
improving service members' pay, housing, and veterans health care.
  In addition, this budget also includes $153 billion for Medicare 
reform, and $2.8 billion for the National Institutes of Health. We pay 
down a historic $2 trillion of the public debt, and ensure that the 
$2.6 trillion Social Security trust fund remains safe from the 
Washington spendthrifts.
  Madam Speaker, we achieve all these goals while still giving the 
American families meaningful and fair tax relief, meaning $1,600 for 
the average family of four will be back in their pockets for them to 
spend.
  Madam Speaker, the numbers simply do not lie. And there is one more, 
millions, and that is how many Americans want us to pass this 
reasonable budget and tax relief now.

                          ____________________