Michael Collins: “I rise in support of all amendments, the Stenholm, the Kyl, the Barton, and the Wise amendments. The message has been…”

“I rise in support of all amendments, the Stenholm, the Kyl, the Barton, and the Wise amendments. The message has been clear from working people and those who have worked all their lives and now are enjoying the fruits of their labor from all across this Nation, and that message is: ``Stop spending more money than you take in. Cut spending. Treat the Federal budget the same way that we have to treat our home budgets.'' Mr. Chairman, it is unfortunate that the majority of the Members of this body have not received that message and are not willing to face up to true responsibility, and that calls for a balanced budget amendment as being the only way. Mr. Chairman, it kind of reminds me of holding a shotgun wedding. As my colleagues know, we know what our responsibilities are. We are just not willing to walk down the aisle unless we are forced to. I regret that we have opponents of the balanced budget amendment who are using our senior citizens by implying that a balanced budget amendment threatens Social Security. A balanced budget amendment, I believe, is the only way that we can ensure not only Social Security but programs that we have--very worthwhile programs--are maintained and continued. I am going to vote for the balanced budget amendment, only I wish we would face that responsibility without such because we could do it in much shorter time.”