Hon. Michael G. Oxley: “the budget resolution for the fiscal year 1997, brought to the floor under the leadership of Chairman Kasich and the…”

“the budget resolution for the fiscal year 1997, brought to the floor under the leadership of Chairman Kasich and the Budget Committee, continues our payments on a balanced budget by the year 2002. It is an important step forward for the Congress and for the American people, and one I wholeheartedly support. In the report to accompany the budget resolution, the Budget Committee makes a number of specific suggestions on cuts in both discretionary and mandatory spending. Their suggestions look both at the fundamental purpose of American Government, and to areas where-- when there is a legitimate governmental function--we can eliminate waste, bureaucracy, and duplication. While I generally agree with most of the suggestions made by the Budget Committee in its report, as the chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Federal Trade Commission, I was disappointed to see that they targeted this agency for elimination. My subcommittee will be taking up reauthorizing legislation for the agency within the next month or two, and while the subcommittee will continue to review the FTC's operations with a critical eye, I believe that this is an important agency and one which should continue to be funded. The FTC has often demonstrated its commitment and competence in protecting American consumers.”