On the recordMarch 15, 2000
I simply cannot, in good conscience, abide in any way this legislation before us today. Five years ago, when the majority party took control of this institution, we were told that we were going to see a new day and that we were going to see a high degree of fiscal responsibility and balance. Instead, this bill for the second time throws that promise out the window. Two years ago, this House voted to require large increases in spending for highways and they put that requirement ahead of every other priority in Government. Now, I am a strong supporter of the trust funds and I am a strong supporter of highway construction and airport construction, but I do not believe that that ought to be a higher priority than education, than health care, than cancer research, than environmental cleanup, than support for our farmers or support for our national defense. And yet, the House voted to put highways ahead of all of those 2 years ago.
Source
govinfo.gov
