Political Quotes

“I associate myself with the comments of Mr. Stenholm and speak in support of his resolution to balance the budget. I want to comment on an issue, which I believe has become a red herring. Some are saying that if the Stenholm amendment were to be enacted, our older citizens would suffer as Social Security benefits surely would be cut. They say under present law, Social Security funds are protected from being used for purposes other than providing Social Security benefits. Furthersome, that protection would disappear if the Stenholm version were ever enacted. Wrong. In fact, if Congress were willing to waive the procedural rules, they could, right now, reduce Social Security benefits. Political considerations, as well as a desire by Congress to protect those benefits, prevent that from happening. Will that change if the balanced budget amendment is passed? Not very likely. Those same procedural--as well as political--firewalls will still be there. So, let's debate the pros and cons of a balanced budget amendment-- but let's not confuse our citizens with scare tactics.”