Steven Gunderson: “I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 103, the Stenholm/Smith substitute. I am particularly pleased that the…”

“I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 103, the Stenholm/Smith substitute. I am particularly pleased that the Stenholm/Smith substitute enjoys broad bipartisan support. This legislation was carefully crafted to meet constitutional challenges and has addressed the questions raised about the ramifications of a Balanced Budget Amendment. It is the result of several years of consensus building. Even though this Congress passed the largest tax increase in history last year, the deficit is still predicted to be $176 billion in fiscal year 1995. It is disturbing to say that this is a step in the right direction, that we're headed down the path to a balanced budget. My constituents in western Wisconsin--Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike--want a balanced budget. Many critics of an amendment to the Constitution cite massive cuts in Social Security as a reason to defeat this measure. To the contrary, the benefits of a sound economy not saddled with debt would ensure that spending on vital programs would be thoroughly debated, as it should, by the Congress.”