Connie Mack: “Not enough. That is the message I am here to give today. There simply are not enough spending cuts in this budget. No…”

“Not enough. That is the message I am here to give today. There simply are not enough spending cuts in this budget. No one should be surprised by this. This congressional process is incapable of making real substantive cuts. While this bill contains minor reductions, I hardly believe it is worth bragging about. The Senate passed a budget with reductions of $26 billion over 5 years. The conferees felt they would not be able to retain any of this, but after being convinced the budget might not pass without any reductions, reconsidered, and agreed to cut half the amount. My colleagues on the Appropriations Committee may feel hardpressed to deal with this proposed reduction. Indeed, there are many worthwhile competing programs. But the simple fact remains that no matter how tough the decisions are, it is our responsibility to make them. I know there will be a lot of back slapping over some $13 billion in cuts over 5 years. But only $500 million of this reduction occurs in fiscal year 1995. And remember, this is a mere $500 million out of a $1.5 trillion budget. Simply put, this meager cut over 5 years disappears in significance when we realize our deficit will grow by $923 billion over the same 5-year period. Let me repeat, that is a $923 billion deficit versus the best effort of the Congress in achieving cuts of only $13 billion. I say again, there are not enough spending cuts. That is why I cannot support this budget resolution.”