William Martini: “I am pleased to report that when H.R. 1215 comes to the floor, the tax relief bill this week, it will now contain…”

“I am pleased to report that when H.R. 1215 comes to the floor, the tax relief bill this week, it will now contain language that clearly states that the tax cut provisions in the bill can only become law as part of legislation that will result in a balanced budget by the year 2002. This provision certainly strengthens the bill and clarifies and reinforces our party's commitment to balancing the budget as well as providing tax relief to the American people. I intend to support the rule and H.R. 1215 and urge the support of all of the Members of the House. As a freshman this year, this past fall I also ran on a platform committed to reducing the deficit, reducing the size of the Federal Government and, ultimately, balancing the budget, and I think that point of view was shared by the majority of the Members of this House. Looking at the bill, H.R. 1215, in anticipation of this upcoming vote this week, as originally reported from the committee, it did not contain, in my opinion and in the opinion of several others who have worked very hard in the past week to bring this language to the bill, my colleagues, the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Upton].”