Political Quotes

“Discretionary appropriations now account for only about one-third of all Federal spending. Funding for all of the programs that are funded by the Committee on Appropriations will shrink relative to the size of the overall economy, relative to the rest of the budget, and relative to the inflation-adjusted cost of continuing these programs through the next fiscal year. In fiscal year 1995, we will have about $9 billion, or about 2 percent less, than the amount needed to operate discretionary programs at the previous year's level. That means that for the first time in nearly three decades, outlays from discretionary programs will actually decline below previous years' levels. I have said many times, and I will say again, this is going to be the first year in the service of virtually everyone in this House when the primary criticism which is leveled at this committee and this House on appropriation bills will be because of money that we do not provide, rather than because of money that we do provide.”