William Orton: “No. In fact, Mr. Chairman, the language that the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm] is referring to was section 210 of…”

“No. In fact, Mr. Chairman, the language that the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm] is referring to was section 210 of last year's conference report on the budget resolution, which in fact was entitled Tax Reduction Contingent on Balanced Budget in the House of Representatives. The Congressional Budget Office in describing that particular provision of the act stated, ``Both procedures in the House and Senate require CBO's certification that enacting the proposed reconciliation legislation would lead up to a balanced budget in 2002 before the Senate or the House can consider proposals to cut taxes.'' Both Senate Majority Leader Dole and chairman of the Senate Committee on the Budget Domenici are on record with regard to this provision, Senator Dole saying the tax cuts, quote, ``do not take effect unless and until the nonpartisan CBO certifies that we are absolutely on the path to a budget that is balanced in the year 2002.'' That is the safety valve. They do not take effect until certified. Chairman Domenici said, ``But let me suggest that in the final analysis we will have tax cuts for the American people only when we get a balanced budget.'' These particular provisions and protections in last year's budget reconciliation act are not in this year's budget.”