[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  2002 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FURTHER RECOVERY FROM AND 
           RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES

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                               speech of

                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2002

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4775) making 
     supplemental appropriations for further recovery from and 
     response to terrorist attacks on the United States for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other 
     purposes.

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, time and time again I have heard my 
colleagues on the minority side assure us of their patriotism. Let me 
begin by saying that neither I, nor any of my colleagues on the 
majority side, have called anyone's patriotism into question.
  Are Democrats really opposed to raising the debt limit? I submit the 
answer to that is ``of course not.'' In fact, it was raised a number of 
times during the 40 years of Democrat leadership in this House. I am 
quite sure that all, or nearly all of the Members in this body realize 
we have to raise the debt limit and we have to raise it now. And yet 
we're told that to do so would be fiscally irresponsible.
  Now, during a time in which we face the after effects of an economic 
slowdown; during a time in which we must spend many billions of dollars 
fighting a war in Afghanistan, securing our homeland, and rebuilding 
Manhattan; and during a time in which it is clear to everybody that the 
debt limit must be raised, our friends cry foul. Fiscally 
irresponsible, they say.
  Never mind that the Republican-controlled Congress spent down the 
public debt by some $450 billion between Fiscal Year 1997 and Fiscal 
Year 2001. Never mind that the need to raise the debt limit is mostly 
attributable to growth, as designed and desired, in debt held by 
government accounts. Never mind that over the 40 years of Democrat 
majority we had to raise the debt limit multiple times because the 
government needed to finance deficits due to out-of-control spending. 
And never mind that the crisis resulting from the events of 11 
September has undoubtedly pushed us right up against the $5.95 trillion 
debt ceiling allowed under current law. Never mind any of that. We're 
fiscally irresponsible.
  We do seek to increase the debt limit. We do so against a backdrop 
whereby we have one, a history of fiscal discipline where the minority 
does not, and two a responsible war-time budget resolution where the 
minority does not; and three, a plan to save social security where the 
minority has none.
  I bring up social security for a reason, Mr. Chairman. I am saddened 
that the minority has spent today in the same manner as they usually 
choose to spend every other October: scaring our senior citizens. They 
imply that a vote for this legislation, which devotes nearly $16 
billion to the Department of Defense, $5.8 billion to homeland 
security, and $5.5 billion to assist New York, somehow puts the 
solvency of the social security trust fund in jeopardy. That is, of 
course, preposterous.
  It is easy for the minority to sit back and cry foul, but I would ask 
all of my colleagues the following questions: has the minority done 
anything but attempt to obstruct? Have they come to the table over the 
last months with any serious budget ideas? The answer to these 
questions, regrettably, is ``no.''
  That, Mr. Chairman, is unfortunate, because I have worked so often in 
the past with my Democrat colleagues, who usually have so much to offer 
in the way of constructive ideas.
  If my Democrat colleagues are going to obstruct proceedings because 
they say raising the debt limit is fiscally irresponsible, well, I will 
let that excuse speak for itself. The American people know better than 
that. They know that during this time in our nation's history, a little 
flexibility is needed. And they know that we will continue passing 
responsible budgets. In the future, I truly hope we will do so with the 
support of my Democrat friends.




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