David Funderburk: “I am pleased to support House Concurrent Resolution 17 of my friend, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Flanagan] to help…”

“I am pleased to support House Concurrent Resolution 17 of my friend, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Flanagan] to help fulfill the promise of the Contract With America by pledging to protect Social Security. Mr. Speaker, the minority is at it again. Once again they are doing their level best to scare senior citizens into thinking that Republicans are out to destroy Social Security. Mr. Speaker, that ploy did not work in November and it will not work now. Even though the American people have changed managers of this House, the minority is still trying to use every available opportunity to make Social Security a frightening wedge issue. It should be said again that the Republican Party has taken Social Security off the table. The budget can and will be balanced by the year 2002 without touching the program most vital to our senior citizens. The balanced budget amendment will protect Social Security because there will be no more borrowing from the trust funds which truly protect our Nation's retirees. Compare that to what is happening now. Skyrocketing budget deficits guarantee that the Government will continue to borrow from trust funds to mask the deficit. Sooner or later we will have to begin paying back the trillions we have borrowed. Every dollar we borrow further burdens Medicare and other priority programs. Each time we borrow, the Congress feels more of an urge to raise working people's taxes to make up for its fiscal irresponsibility.”