Political Quotes

“I wish to express my strong support for the Wise amendment. A forward-looking and realistic balanced budget proposal that will attack our true deficit problems while protecting important investments that have long-term economic benefits. The Wise amendment will not only bring us a balanced budget but it will, for the first time, give this Nation the sensible and rational approach of long-term capital budgeting. I support the Wise amendment because, unlike all the other proposed constitutional amendments, the Wise amendment will create a capital budget and protect senior citizens. The Wise amendment will protect long-term economic growth and our Nation's senior citizens. Unlike the Stenholm amendment, the Wise amendment would take Social Security and veteran and disability programs off budget. Under the Wise amendment, Social Security is protected. Under the Stenholm amendment, the average senior citizen in Pennsylvania could face an annual Social Security reduction of $1,136. We should not attempt to balance our budget by squeezing those who can least afford it--our senior citizens and the disabled. By exempting capital investments that have long-term economic benefits and Social Security from the balanced budget calculations, the Wise amendment will allow a true accounting of the operating budget.”