[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16216]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002

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                               speech of

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2647) making 
     appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes:

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for the 
fiscal year 2002 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. During the 
last few years, Congress has led a historic effort to reduce the 
deficit and incorporate fiscal responsibility into federal spending. We 
reviewed programs and guidelines to make them more efficient and 
effective and explored alternatives to get the most of each tax dollar. 
We have also adopted many proposals that have saved taxpayers billions 
of dollars. Today, we again have the opportunity to reaffirm our 
message of fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction by passing this 
legislation.
  As many of my Colleagues know, since 1991 I have, along with several 
other Members, introduced an amendment to the Legislative Branch 
Appropriations bill that simply requires unspent office funds to be 
used for deficit or debt reduction. This amendment has always received 
strong bipartisan support and I am proud to report that the committee 
has included this provision in the base bill.
  In the last few years we have achieved what has eluded Congress for 
30 years--a balanced budget. The fiscal year 2002 Legislative Branch 
Appropriations bill continues our assault on the national debt and 
holds the line on spending. I believe this measure provides a good 
incentive for Members to spend taxpayer funds responsibly and lead by 
example in our efforts to reduce the national debt. Without this 
provision, Members' unspent office funds can be ``reprogrammed'' for 
other budget purposes, frustrating the frugal efforts of many Members. 
Let's keep practicing sound spending practices and keep moving towards 
reducing our enormous national debt.
  I thank the Chairman for his support and for including the unspent 
office funds provision in H.R. 2647 and I urge all Members to support 
this important legislation.




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