[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BUDGET

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about a process that 
many Americans face each year. Imagine your average American family 
with paper and pencil in hand, gathered around the kitchen table 
discussing their budget for the year. Their funds are limited--and 
going into a deficit is not an option for them, like it is for their 
Government. They must choose their priorities, cut the wasteful 
spending, and make sure that their spending does not add up to more 
than their income.
  Here in the U.S. Congress, we've been tasked with the same job. Those 
taxpaying families that toil over their own budgets expect us to put 
the same thoughtfulness into how we spend their hard-earned money here 
in Washington, DC. And for too long, we have been largely irresponsible 
with how we spend their money. First, we have to prioritize our 
spending--and that means making tough choices.
  Our Our top priority today must be our security. That includes the 
security of our borders and the safety of the brave servicemen and 
women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world who are helping secure 
our borders and our freedom. We must be vigilant in making sure that 
our military has the tools it needs to get the job done.
  We also cannot afford to turn our backs on the economic growth that 
we have been experiencing. Economic growth continued job creation are 
what will help bring increased revenue into the Government coffers and 
ultimately help reduce our deficit even further.
  Now some critics of the President's budget in the Senate might say 
that we should raise taxes on the American family to reduce the 
deficit. I don't think that takes us in the right direction.
  That kind of thinking fails to recognize how the tax cuts of 2001 and 
2003 have helped our economy grow. This growth has resulted in 20 
straight months of increased employment. In 2004 alone, America created 
2.2 million new jobs. Each of these workers is gainfully employed and 
taking care of their own family. They are also paying taxes.
  In fact, as a result of increased employment, even with lower tax 
rates, individual income tax revenue will increase almost $73 billion 
this year. Overall revenue is expected to increase by almost $125 
billion this year. I think this is proof that the tax cuts worked. This 
is one important reason we have to make sure that we don't raise taxes 
on American families this year and in the years to come.
  After we decide what our priorities are when it comes to spending, we 
have to make more difficult decisions about what we will cut from our 
budget. As we would tell our children and as we must sometimes remind 
ourselves, ``Money doesn't grow on trees.'' Our budget must reflect the 
understanding that there are limits to how much we can spend--as is 
true for the typical family creating a budget.
  Although it might be easier to continue throwing money at failing 
programs, it is not the right thing to do. If a program is not 
effective, it cannot expect to cruise on the Federal dole indefinitely. 
We must demand accountability, and we must focus on programs that are 
making a difference. I applaud President Bush for taking the position 
that ``. . . a taxpayer dollar must be spent wisely, or not at all.'' 
That is the leadership we need in order to make these difficult 
reductions.
  All Americans can work together to reduce Federal spending. Every 
taxpaying American should demand spending reform, demand that earmarks 
and pork barrel spending in the appropriations bills be eliminated, and 
call on Congress to eliminate the ineffective programs. Rather than 
having lobbyists and activists calling on Congress to increase spending 
for every program, Congress should force these groups to identify cost 
savings too.
  For example, it you want more spending for one of the more successful 
housing programs, housing activists should be forced to identify a 
housing program that is a failure. That way Congress can reallocate 
resources to the better run programs. This goes for every federally 
funded program. It should no longer be acceptable in America for our 
elected officials not to ask that hard question before increasing 
spending from one year to the next. The future of America's financial 
house demands a changed way of thinking.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Lautenberg and Mr. Corzine pertaining to the 
introduction of S. 308 are located in today's Record under ``Statements 
on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, may I inquire how much time remains on our 
side?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 21 minutes 9 seconds.
  Mr. HARKIN. I thank the Chair.

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