[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 20666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               REPUBLICANS COMMITTED TO PAYING DOWN DEBT

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, for far too long, government spending 
reigned supreme in Washington. Deficit spending ran rampant, the debt 
ballooned, and taxes skyrocketed. It was always spend first and worry 
about the debt later.
  But today Republicans are changing course and saying that paying off 
the debt for our children's future should be at the front of the line, 
not at the end of the line.
  Republicans are committed to paying off the national debt. We have 
already reduced the debt by about $350 billion and are committed to 
eliminating the national debt altogether.
  The Clinton-Gore administration vetoed relief on the marriage and 
death taxes. Remember? Republicans are not about to sit back and let 
the Democrats now spend that money.
  As we finalize next year's budget, we are dedicated to three core 
principles. Let us pay down the debt. Let us make sure Social Security 
and Medicare are on sound financial ground for this generation of 
seniors and future generations. Let us give the American people 
substantial tax relief. They deserve it. That is what is right for the 
country.

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