William R. Richardson: “after all of the smoke and hot air clears from the debate on the balanced budget amendment, what is the difference…”

“after all of the smoke and hot air clears from the debate on the balanced budget amendment, what is the difference between the two parties on this issue? First, we Democrats support a balanced budget, many of us a constitutional amendment, but unlike the Republicans, we want to specify where the cuts are so that the American people know and the States can plan adequately. We Democrats support the Constitution and will oppose a supermajority that is clearly unconstitutional. The Republicans do not. We Democrats believe Social Security should be excluded, and have an amendment clearly stating that. Republicans have an innocuous amendment that better should be known as the ``Endangered Chicago Seat Protection Act.'' Mr. Speaker, the President last night was bipartisan. He was positive, and we should do the same in this body.”