Tillie K. Fowler: “I rise today to express my strong support for the Kasich amendment. The time is long overdue for this body to face up to…”

“I rise today to express my strong support for the Kasich amendment. The time is long overdue for this body to face up to our Nation's real needs and act responsibly to address them. The Kasich amendment does just that. It reduces the Federal deficit by a further $152 billion below the Clinton budget, yet still provides real tax relief for American families with a $500-per-child tax credit. It emphasizes the issues that Americans care about most: Crime control, health care reform, and welfare reform. And, as opposed to the Clinton plan, it restores sense to our national security budget by providing an additional $60 billion over 5 years for defense. These funds will give us the force structure we really need to successfully address and win two major regional contingencies. Mr. Chairman, the Kasich budget will require some sacrifice. Frankly, it contains items that I would prefer were not there. But we can no longer run from this country's deficit monster. We must vote for responsible government. We must vote for the Kasich plan.”