[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16950]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      PASSING A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, when American families 
face difficult times, they set priorities. Today the United States is 
fighting a war and facing a slow economy. These are difficult times, 
and they call for clear priorities. President Bush and Republicans have 
done just that.
  In March, Republicans in the House, led by the gentleman from 
Illinois (Speaker Hastert), passed the President's budget plan that 
clearly outlined spending priorities.
  We are keeping our commitment to education, Social Security, Medicare 
and, most importantly, national defense and homeland security. But 
Democrats have offered no plans and have set no priorities. The only 
clear message coming from them is let us spend more.
  We must focus on what we need, not what we want. The American people 
have been consistent in making the economy their top concern. The 
President and respected Alan Greenspan have said that the way to 
promote a strong economy is to control government spending. The 
President and Republicans have presented a responsible budget that 
meets our Nation's priorities. It is time for the Democrats to get on 
board.

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