Rod Grams: “under the leadership of a Congress committed to fundamental reform of the Federal Government, we have once again…”

“under the leadership of a Congress committed to fundamental reform of the Federal Government, we have once again delivered a balanced budget to the American people. I have no doubt that this budget is a blueprint that will protect the future of every American child. Last year, Mr. President, the debate on the budget was mainly focused on whether we should have a balanced budget by 2002. Today, all sides, including President Clinton, have agreed that we should and can balance our budget by 2002, while we provide tax relief to middle-class American families. The remaining question is how. In my view, our budget priorities should reflect traditional American values: a smaller government, less spending and more savings, and helping those who want to help themselves. Mr. President, I must say that this budget resolution moves us confidently in that direction. The budget resolution will balance our budget in 6 years, yielding a $5 billion surplus in 2002. It will also create more jobs, provide more affordable education, make Medicare more secure, and offer real welfare and Medicaid reform. Mr. President, I am particularly pleased that this resolution has kept our promise to the American people to provide meaningful tax relief for middle-class Americans. The resolution explicitly recommends that this should include a tax credit of $500 per child.”