Political Quotes

“I rise today to support an amendment to the Constitution to require a balanced budget. Quite simply, I believe that our obligation to future generations--to our children and grandchildren--requires this action of us today. Year after year people stand here and claim that this amendment is not required. I know, I used to be one of them. It is true that this amendment will not in and of itself create a balanced budget--any more than the Constitution of the former Soviet Union, which guaranteed its citizens freedom of religion, created that right for any Soviet citizen. The bottom line is that it will take the collective will of this House and the other body, joined with that of the President to accomplish a balanced budget. It will take the collective will of the American people to abide by the decisions necessary to accomplish a balanced budget. It will take our collective backbones to make what will be a statement of national policy a reality. But with that policy clearly ennunciated in our Constitution--I believe our backbones will find a stronger pillar from which to support the heavy lifting that will be required to accomplish this goal. There is no question that we have taken significant action under the leadership of President Clinton to reverse the dramatic increasing deficits the country suffered under Presidents Reagan and Bush.”