Byron Dorgan: “I obviously disagree strongly with his contention that doing what he proposes to do will in any way strengthen Social…”

“I obviously disagree strongly with his contention that doing what he proposes to do will in any way strengthen Social Security. It will do exactly the opposite. In fact, the surpluses that we are desiring to save are not going to be there and that is precisely my point. Let us balance the budget, but let us also do what we need to do to make sure the surpluses are to be saved for the future. I ask my friend from Wyoming, it is probably unfair for me to ask him this, but if he is able to answer the question: Why, at a time when we have a balanced budget, presumably, by the constitutional amendment and by the mandate, in 2002, why the Federal debt will continue to increase? Is that not because the trust funds are used to show a balanced budget?”