Robert Smith: “I rise in support of the Republican budget resolution offered by Mr. Kasich and in opposition to the Budget Committee's…”

“I rise in support of the Republican budget resolution offered by Mr. Kasich and in opposition to the Budget Committee's Clinton budget. Once again, I believe the Members have an opportunity to demonstrate who is committed to curbing Congress' appetite to spend and who is not. The Democrat alternative furthers the Clinton administration's philosophy of creating more government, more spending, and higher taxes. On the other hand, the Republican budget takes bold steps, many of which will affect my constituents, to reduce the size of government and annual deficits. But it does so fairly, honestly, and specifically. The Republican budget shaves the deficit by $162 billion next year alone, and outsaves the Democratic budget by more than $152 billion over the next 5 years. And it does so while covering the costs for market-based health care reform, the Republican welfare reform plan, and a $500 per child tax deduction for middle-income families. Although I am supporting the Kasich substitute because it is the only choice that is fiscally responsible, I strongly oppose the provision to increase revenue from the Power Marketing Administrations [PMAs].”