[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 26265-26266]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the worst natural 
disaster in American history, Congress responded with generosity and 
more than

[[Page 26266]]

$60 billion in 6 days. But this week, thanks to the leadership of 
President George W. Bush and Speaker Dennis Hastert, Congress is going 
to figure out how to pay for it.
  In the Deficit Reduction Act, this Congress will achieve more than 
$50 billion in savings in the next 5 year to offset the extraordinary 
cost of Hurricane Katrina. But there is still work to be done.
  This legislation is an important first step toward restoring fiscal 
discipline, but it is just that: it is a first step. With an $8 
trillion national debt and with more spending on Hurricane Katrina 
awaiting around the corner, it is imperative that we pass the Deficit 
Reduction Act, move on to an across-the-board cut in this year's 
budget, and reopen the highway bill and rescind earmarks that are 
anathema to the American people.
  It is written that if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who 
will get ready for battle? The Deficit Reduction Act is a clear call to 
begin the process of putting our fiscal house in order, and I urge all 
of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to support it.

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