George Voinovich: “just prior to the Easter recess, the Senate completed action on the fiscal year 2002 budget resolution. I voted in favor…”

“just prior to the Easter recess, the Senate completed action on the fiscal year 2002 budget resolution. I voted in favor of final passage of the budget resolution, recognizing that it does not reflect everything that I wanted. However, I am thankful the Senate-passed resolution does contain a fair amount of what President Bush had originally proposed in his budget plan. Nevertheless, it is my hope that when the Senate does go to conference with the House--which has passed a more stringent budget resolution--the end result will yield a budget resolution more in-tune with the President's more responsible package. As it was originally put forward, I felt the Bush budget plan provided much of the fiscal responsibility I have long sought from Washington prior to, and since, becoming a Member of the Senate. Specifically, it restrains the growth of spending, reduces the debt as fast as is prudent, and allows for meaningful tax cuts. This is what I like to refer to as a ``three-legged stool'' approach. For this package to work, however, we have to insist on a balanced approach, because fiscal responsibility, like a three-legged stool, cannot stand if one leg is significantly longer or shorter than the others.”