Political Quotes

“during the debate Members argue, of course, that we do not need a constitutional amendment because Congress can be trusted to balance the budget without one. Well, that is what I thought 10 years ago, when I came to Congress. Since then, Congress has rejected countless attempts to balance the budget. Just last year the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon] and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Upton] and I brought a budget plan to the floor. We specified, for instance, something like $700 billion worth of cuts. It would balance the budget in 5 years. And actually, during that period of time, Federal spending would go up, about $8.2 trillion of spending over 5 years. We did not even touch Social Security. We thought it was a pretty good plan. It garnered 73 votes. Congress has failed to balance the budget for 25 years in a row. Who can look at this record and honestly say that they believe the budget will be balanced by trusting the will of Congress? Congress does not lack ideas of specificity on how to balance the budget, it lacks the political will to do so. Mr. Chairman, I would suggested that the Barton balanced budget amendment be passed.”