Winthrop Crane: “I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my colleague from Ohio, Mr. Boehner. Madam Chairman, we have been…”

“I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my colleague from Ohio, Mr. Boehner. Madam Chairman, we have been sent to Congress by our constituents to put our Nation's budget in order. They have grown weary of the strain of ever increasing tax burdens as our $4.5 trillion national debt grows out of control. I say to my colleagues that the first place we ought to start trimming the fat from the budget is the spending of the legislative branch. This amendment will cut some very unnecessary spending. For example, it will eliminate over $100,000 for automobiles for the House leadership. Madam Chairman, I, like most of my colleagues, drive myself to work. Why do members of the House leadership have to be driven here at taxpayers' expense? The President has asked the American people to sacrifice in order that we may get America's budget in order. Let the sacrifice start here. This amendment will freeze the spending of the legislature in fiscal year 1995 at fiscal year 1994 levels. Families all over America must keep their spending levels consistent with their income. I am not prepared to go back to my constituents and ask for more of their hard-earned money so that the Botanic Garden can install an $80,000 security gate as they reconstruct the conservatory, also at taxpayer expense. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment so that we may demonstrate serious fiscal responsibility to the American people.”