Tony Thurmond: “I rise in support of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 1997, the Republican budget. In this…”

“I rise in support of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 1997, the Republican budget. In this proposal, the Senate has before it a blueprint for balancing the budget and reducing the National debt. Mr. President, a budget is more than a set of numbers. It is an outline of priorities and policy decisions. What a refreshing contrast this budget resolution is to the budgets submitted by the President. It illustrates the difference in philosophy between those who wish to put Government first and those of us who believe in 'We the People.' In his last State of the Union address, President Clinton declared the era of big government is over. While this was appealing political rhetoric, his budget actions do not support his words. The Clinton budgets implemented the largest tax increase in history, imposed the highest Federal tax burden ever, continued deficit spending, added to the national debt, substantially increased nondefense Government spending, and dangerously reduced funding for our national defense. Mr. President, in contrast, the Republican budget proposal will eliminate the Federal budget deficit by fiscal year 2002. It does so by slowing the growth rate of Federal spending.”