    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 21, 2005]
    [Page 1898]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Passage of Legislation To Reduce Entitlement
    Spending
    December 21, 2005

        The Senate vote to reduce entitlement spending is a victory for
    taxpayers, fiscal restraint, and responsible budgeting, and it will help
    keep us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. I applaud the
    Republicans in the House and Senate who supported the legislation. This
    will be the first time in nearly a decade that Congress has reduced
    entitlement spending. This strong bill demonstrates our commitment to
    funding our Nation's priorities and ensuring that taxpayer money is
    spent wisely.