Daniel Inouye: “as my constituents know, I do not give speeches on every issue addressed by the U.S. Senate. However, I felt that on a…”

“as my constituents know, I do not give speeches on every issue addressed by the U.S. Senate. However, I felt that on a matter as significant to the American people as an amendment to United States Constitution, I had to share my thoughts. In no way is my speech delivered to stall these proceedings. I wish to address the Senate because I am genuinely distressed about several serious deficiencies in the balanced budget amendment measure now before the U.S. Senate, not the least of which is the fact that the American public, ourselves included, does not have a full and fair understanding of how this balanced budget amendment will truly impact our lives. While the proponents tell us that they will balance the budget, while cutting taxes, increasing defense spending and protecting Social Security, we are also told that to meet all these goals, the Congress will have to cut spending by $1.5 trillion before the year 2002. In addition, estimates by the Congressional Budget Office indicate that if Social Security and defense spending are not cut, all other programs must be cut across the board by 30 percent. I believe the people of America should be told in advance where these cuts will occur.”