Thomas Daschle: “As the tax cut debate begins in earnest this week, I would like to commend to my colleagues' attention two editorials…”

“As the tax cut debate begins in earnest this week, I would like to commend to my colleagues' attention two editorials that appeared in separate South Dakota newspapers this week, the Pierre Capital Journal and the Madison Daily Leader. Both of these opinion pieces give an excellent explication of this year's budget and tax cut debate and responsibly advocate a tax cut while paying down the national debt. In so doing, each reminds us that beyond the Beltway and across the country the American public can see through the often overheated rhetoric of political debate and focus on the bottom line priority of maintaining the fiscal responsibility that forms the foundation of the economic recovery of the 1990's. As these editorials underscore, balance between tax cutting and debt reduction should be a central principle of the tax and budget debate. While Congress should and will pass a significant tax cut this year, it must also make sure that we pay down the national debt and address budget priorities like education, defense and healthcare. And so I commend Dana Hess of the Pierre Capital Journal and Jon Hunter of the Madison Daily Leader for their exceptional pieces advocating a tax cut within the parameters of sound fiscal policy. Their words should give us all pause for thought.”