Charles W. Stenholm: “listening to this debate, I am reminded of the wisdom of Will Rogers when he observed, ``It ain't people's ignorance…”

“listening to this debate, I am reminded of the wisdom of Will Rogers when he observed, ``It ain't people's ignorance that bothers me so much. It's them knowing so much that ain't so which is the problem.'' This bill does not cut Social Security, does not cut veterans' benefits, does not raise taxes, does not put the Government on autopilot. It takes us off autopilot. It simply requires the Congress to act if we do not meet our promise to the people of 2002. Last fall, many of us ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility. They made countless speeches about balancing the budget, and that plank helped in their election to the House. In March, after voting for the successful balanced budget constitutional amendment, they sent out the press release claiming their portion of that success. In May, my colleagues joined in the press conference hailing the balanced budget agreement between the President and Congress, and they endorsed the plan by voting for the House-passed reconciliation bills in June. In every townhall meeting this year, my colleagues have insisted to skeptical constituents that, at long last, Congress can be trusted to balance the budget.”