JOHN LINDER: “the last 20 minutes discussion on Medicare is only a symbol of what has been wrong in this town for 30 years. This body…”

“the last 20 minutes discussion on Medicare is only a symbol of what has been wrong in this town for 30 years. This body and the other has been voting benefits to America's citizens and said do not worry, you are not going to have to pay for them. We are going to pass this bill on to your grandchildren. That is why we must have a balanced budget and a balanced budget amendment and it makes sense. But more than just common sense. It is a promise to our children and grandchildren that we will not continue runaway government spending at their expense. When my grandsons are old enough to ask me, I do not want to have to explain to them why they are paying $3,500 every year in taxes just for interest on the national debt and why over their lifetime they will pay $187,000 in taxes just to pay interest on the debt. I refuse to say to them, your future is mortgaged and your country is bankrupt. That is why House Republicans have kept their promise to the American people and passed the balanced budget amendment. Now the Senate can do the same. All we need is for President Clinton to keep his word. Governor Clinton supported a balanced budget, but last year President Clinton persuaded six Democrat Senators to change their vote and defeat the amendment. I hope the President will begin to get his actions in step with his words.”