Kay Bailey Hutchison: “this is what my amendment does. It is a sense of the Senate that this resolution assumes that any budget surplus should…”

“this is what my amendment does. It is a sense of the Senate that this resolution assumes that any budget surplus should be dedicated to debt reduction or direct tax relief for hard-working American families. It is really quite simple. This Congress has labored mightily for the last 2 years to come up with a balanced budget. This budget resolution, which has been so ably led by the Senator from New Mexico, and helped by the Senator from New Jersey, is an example of how difficult it has been to actually balance our budget. It has not been easy. It has been tough to make these hard choices, but Congress has done it. We are talking about a balanced budget and, in fact, surpluses. I am saying, do not fritter away the victory. We have done the tough things. Now is not the time to get wimpy. Now is the time to remain tough, so that we will be able to assure our children and grandchildren that they will not inherit the $5 trillion of debt that has been built up in this country for the last 40 years. It is a time to say we are going to be responsible stewards of this country while we are on the watch deck.…”