WALLY HERGER: “I rise in strong support of the balanced budget amendment, and in opposition to the Wise substitute. Everyone is talking…”

“I rise in strong support of the balanced budget amendment, and in opposition to the Wise substitute. Everyone is talking about the need to make tough choices, but its clear to the American people that that is not happening. The system is broken, and the only people who will not admit it are Members of Congress. The balanced budget amendment is critical to fixing what is wrong with the system. Those who think Congress will make tough choices to control spending without the amendment must have forgotten how this very Congress refused only a few weeks ago to terminate a $10 million program for native Hawaiians that even President Clinton said was unneeded and duplicative. Last week, we adopted a budget resolution that increased the national debt from $4.6 trillion this year to $6.3 trillion in 1999, or nearly a 50 percent increase. This is even more debt piled onto the backs of future generations to finance current consumption. We are literally mortgaging the futures of not only our children, but also of our grandchildren. Moreover, the $203 billion in net interest we're paying on the debt this year alone produces absoletly nothing of value for the American public. It does not put one more policeman on our streets, or repair one road or bridge. Let us end this irresponsible practice by adopting the balanced budget amendment.”