Stephen Horn: “if we legislators have learned one thing since the 1992 elections, it is that deficit reduction is the top priority for…”

“if we legislators have learned one thing since the 1992 elections, it is that deficit reduction is the top priority for the American people. Hundreds of letters and telephone calls from constituents tell us one thing: Americans know that our Nation's survival rests upon cutting excess Federal spending. But for too long the American people have not seen much paring down of these Federal costs. They have heard a lot of talk about it, and it has been discussed at length in these Chambers. But the American people are still waiting for something to be done. Now, Mr. Speaker, with the A-Z spending cuts plan Congress has a chance to show America that we finally mean business about cutting. There are many of us in this House who really mean it when we say we want to cut the deficit. The A-Z plan gives us a chance to put our names on the line, and for those who have hidden so long behind the secrecy of House committees, they will be forced to come out in the open and be held accountable for their deeds. The American people deserve no less than forthright guarantees from us that, when it comes to decisions about cutting the deficit, we will act with the deficit and sound common sense in mind. All Americans deserve to know who is loyal to them and who is loyal to the powerful committee chairmen. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3266, the A-Z spending cuts plan, and I urge my colleagues to sign the discharge petition that will bring it before us.”