[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 8 (Wednesday, February 6, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET--MEETING THE GOALS OF OUR TIME

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, America faces a unique moment in history. 
Our Nation is at war, our homeland was attacked, and our economy is in 
recession. The President's budget meets the requirements of victory and 
the test of responsibility. The President's budget holds government 
accountable for results that address these priorities of the American 
people: Winning the war on terrorism, strengthening protections of our 
homeland, and revitalizing our economy and creating jobs.
  What his budget does is increase spending, nearly doubles homeland 
security spending, and provides immediate assistance to workers who 
have lost their jobs, while holding the growth in spending for programs 
outside of defense and homeland security to the cost of living. His 
budget provides significant funding increases for important priorities 
like health care, prescription drugs, education, the environment, 
agriculture and retirement security, and returns to budget surpluses 
within 2 to 3 years, if Congress adheres to the President's call for 
fiscal responsibility.
  Mr. Speaker, this budget is an important step forward to protect this 
country.

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