Gary Hart: “The facts are simple. When we look at the facts, we see that our spending here in the Federal Government has increased…”

“The facts are simple. When we look at the facts, we see that our spending here in the Federal Government has increased by significantly more from year to year in the last 4 years than has the family budget. If we are spending more from year to year than families are earning from year to year, I think it is obvious that we are taking too much money from the general public. It is important for us to live within our means like they have to do. This amendment that the gentleman from Illinois has offered will help us do that. It sets caps. It forces us to keep within the budget that we state that we will keep within. It is that simple. It is an enforcement mechanism. It forces us to identify waste. It forces us to eliminate waste. Clearly we have not done that if we look at the chart. What is also important about this amendment is that it protects Social Security and Medicare, so our seniors will not lose. It is important for us to live within a budget. It is important for us to protect our seniors. I urge support of the Kirk amendment.”