[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2133-H2134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IGNORING CONSEQUENCES OF INCREASING BUDGET DEFICIT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, we have had a great day today. It is 
really historic. The average American family could teach Congress a lot 
about budgets, and it appears that at least four Members of the other 
body may be listening, despite the roar out of the White House.
  Today, some Republicans still do not want to face the consequences of 
their actions. The budget deficit under the Republicans is growing so 
fast and so high you cannot even see a ``debt ceiling'' any more. We 
are facing trillions of dollars of debt that will be shouldered by 
Americans not yet born. That is how bad it is.
  It does not have to be that way. Years ago, the Congress established 
the pay-as-you-go rule. That is a shorthand way of saying what every 
ordinary American already knows: You look at both sides of the ledger, 
how much money you have, what are your expenses, before you do 
anything.
  Instead of pay-as-you-go, the Republicans and the President have said 
they are going to give America a new policy. It is called ``pray-as-
you-go.'' Pray. If you say things are fine long enough, somebody might 
believe it. Pray that something, anything, good happens somewhere in 
America. Pray that Americans are so consumed with the economic crisis 
caused by this President and the Republican leadership that they will 
not have to time to vote in November.
  We are not voting on a budget today because the Republicans are 
rolling in the street fighting amongst themselves. Why?

[[Page H2134]]

                              {time}  1400

  Some of them are beginning to figure out there are consequences.
  We cannot slash taxes and give millionaires $112,925 without paying 
for them. We are paying for these massive tax cuts for the rich with 
massive deficits for America. The economy has produced 300,000 jobs 
this month, and none last month, not a single one. This month they say 
they have 300,000. I do not know, maybe they saved last month's to 
build up this month's; or whatever they did, 250,000 jobs are required 
every month to simply maintain. They have not added anything to the 
economy; they are maintaining.
  The administration remains in denial, but some Republicans are 
beginning to see the truth, and I hope the light, about extending 
unemployment benefits. Unemployment is getting worse in State after 
State. My State ranks fourth in the Nation, yet the administration 
refuses to extend unemployment benefits.
  To every American I say this: the money is there in a trust fund to 
provide for this lifeline program. Not a single dollar in new taxes is 
needed to extend a helping hand to people who cannot find a job because 
this administration cannot create one. Not one job, remember, last 
month.
  Now, the other day, Myra, a lady from Washington State who is part of 
the ``Show Me the Jobs'' bus trip across America, came here. Fifty-one 
people representing every State and the District of Columbia went from 
town to town telling their personal stories of grief and hardship as a 
result of economic policies of the administration. They ended their 
trip here the other day because they came to the place where you can 
actually do something. We tried in December, Scrooge said no from the 
White House. We tried after the first of the year, the President said 
no. We tried in February, and the President said no.
  The money is there, set aside for this very purpose, paid for by the 
very people who are out of work, and the President continues to say no.
  We have tried over and over again. Just the other day the Democrats 
tried to get the President and the Republican leadership to extend 
those benefits on a bill that was before us. Once again, the President, 
with his warm, compassionate conservative heart said, no.
  Now, Myra, you do not have to feel bad. You can hold up your head. 
You have nothing to be ashamed of, but we do. Because this 
administration knows the truth of what is happening across America, but 
will not act.
  You have to believe, folks. They want you to pray that there will be 
a job. People young and old are losing jobs and losing hope. People are 
graduating from college, they studied hard, they worked hard, they did 
everything they were supposed to do to get the American dream. Under 
this President and this Republican leadership, the American dream is 
turning into a nightmare for millions of Americans. Instead of pay-as-
you-go and work-and-you-get, you get from these people, pray-as-you-go. 
Let us hope our prayers are answered on November 2.
  In the meantime, the Congress on this day should pass extended 
benefits. The money is there, Mr. Speaker. Please tell the President 
the money is there. I told Myra the money is there. I hope some 
Republicans finally have the courage to do the right thing and extend 
benefits now.

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