Congressional Record—House H8902

H8902 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 5, 2000 Week. I want to thank the gentleman tleman, and younger ones, like me, and grams increase safer sex practices from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS), my brother even younger ones, they can see that among young people who are sexually Alpha member, for holding this special they have a future within their life. active. These programs also lead to ab- order this afternoon. I applaud the They see that there are jobs available stinence, fewer sexual partners, and in- members of Alpha Phi Alpha and the and careers available. And to the ex- creased and more effective use of con- March of Dimes for their continued tent that they involve themselves in traception among young men and commitment to improving the lives of risky behaviors, they place that future women. young African American males in the at risk. The other major objective of Project African American community and So we challenge other groups to get Alpha is teen pregnancy reduction again congratulate the gentleman on involved in the same kinds of inter- from a male perspective. And although holding this special order. action with our young people, because teen birth rates experienced a decline Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I thank the we can have a significant impact in between 1991 and 1996 across all ethnic gentleman very much, and I would like keeping them out of trouble to begin and economic groups, the country is to get the gentleman’s reaction, if I with and keeping them on the right beginning to see a new surge in preg- could, to how much on target Project track, and that is why Project Alpha is nant women under 20 years of age. Alpha is. so important. Some important facts to consider are: A study by the National Cancer Insti- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Let me just the United States has the highest preg- tute confirms existent data which re- thank the gentleman for his response nancy rate of all developed countries. veals that as each generation comes of and for his participation. People throw About 1 million teenagers become preg- age, there is a substantial increase in out accolades, and sometimes they are nant each year, of which 95 percent are the rate of infection as individuals meaningful and sometimes not as unintended. Public cost as a result to- enter their late teens and early 20s, meaningful; but when it comes to role taled $120 billion between 1985 and 1990, with infection peaking in the mid to modeling, I would certainly think that a circumstance that may resume if cur- late 20s. Sustained, targeted prevention the gentleman has been and continues rent trends continue. It is estimated for each group entering young adult- to be one, not only as a Member of Con- that $48 billion could have been saved if hood is what will keep these waves gress but also in the community where birth had been postponed. from developing. the gentleman lives and works. So I Eleven States are implementing com- Behavioral science has also shown want to thank the gentleman for com- prehensive integrated youth programs that a balance of prevention messages ing and for sharing with us this after- to prevent teen pregnancies. While oth- is important for young people, and that noon. ers have assistance programs, the De- total abstinence from sexual activity is Mr. SCOTT. I thank the gentleman partment of Health and Human Serv- the only sure way to prevent sexual as well, and I would want to point out ices’ recent annual report reveals that transmission of HIV infection. Despite that the gentleman himself has been a 32 States have no specified goals re- all of the efforts, some young people stalwart advocate of civil rights and garding this issue. However, Project may still engage in sexual intercourse voting rights. Just yesterday, we had a Alpha has vision with long-range bene- that puts them at risk for HIV and special order involving voting rights fits: to reduce teenage pregnancy, other STDs. For these individuals, the and the importance of voting, and my thereby reducing child poverty; reduc- correct and consistent use of latex fellow fraternity brother has been one ing high school dropout rates and condoms has been shown to be highly of the leaders in that effort. boosting the probability that young effective in preventing the trans- I want to congratulate the gentleman adults can fully achieve their poten- mission of HIV and other STDs. on his leadership. He has a long history tial. How important does the gentleman of public service, going back to local Furthermore, realizing that these think it is for older, and I would not government in Chicago, and that cer- programs are traditionally targeted to- necessarily say that all the Members of tainly shows that the gentleman is a wards raising awareness in young Alpha Phi Alpha are old, but more ma- role model and an Alpha that everyone women, Project Alpha focuses on ture members of our society to share can be proud of. reaching young men, an important yet concepts, ideas and experiences with Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Well, I thank often overlooked factor in the teen younger people, as this project kind of the gentleman. As we have discussed pregnancy problem. By educating attempts to do, in steering them in a this afternoon and we have pointed young men about contraception and more appropriate direction? And would out, all of our speakers have, the im- emphasizing personal responsibility, the gentleman have any challenge for pact of HIV and AIDS in the African positive changes in attitude and behav- other groups and organizations as to American community, we know that it ior can make a positive difference. how they can be more helpful? has indeed been devastating. As a mat- Finally, again, I would like to con- Mr. SCOTT. Well, I think the gentle- ter of fact, through December of 1998, gratulate Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity man’s question really answers itself. the Center for Disease Control had re- and the March of Dimes for recognizing The course in Project Alpha, and I have ceived reports of 688,200 AIDS cases. the need for Project Alpha and holding participated in many of the activities And of those, 251,408 cases occurred a week that not only serves young at the national convention and in among African Americans. Rep- Americans in our communities nation- classes in Project Alpha in my own resenting only an estimated 12 percent wide, but also fulfills the alpha pledge: home community in Virginia, and they of the total United States population, First of All, Servant of All. Does the teach responsibility, they teach absti- African Americans make up almost 37 gentleman have any other comments? nence, they teach safe sex; and it is percent of all AIDS cases reported in Mr. SCOTT. I would just like to done in such a way that they have the this country. thank the March of Dimes and Project role models from the community com- Researchers estimate that 240,000 to Alpha for providing this guidance to ing in and explaining the importance of 325,000 African Americans, about one in our young citizens, and I thank the avoiding teen pregnancy and avoiding 50 African American men and one in 160 gentleman for organizing this special the sexually transmitted diseases. African American women, are infected order. These kinds of role models, I think, with HIV. Of those infected with HIV, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I can show that they do have a future. it is estimated that more than 106,000 thank the gentleman once again, and One of the high risk factors of getting African Americans are living with First of All, Servant of All, we shall into trouble is when young people do AIDS. So when we see a program like transcend all. not feel that they have a future. They Project Alpha, there is no doubt about f tend to involve themselves in more its importance in mentoring, educating risky behaviors because they think and encouraging young adults to be re- REPUBLICAN PLAN FOR ECONOMIC they have nothing to lose. When they sponsible during their teen years and DEVELOPMENT see role models and can see a path, par- beyond. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ticularly a continuum of role models, According to the CDC, 10 national PEASE). Under the Speaker’s an- some of the older ones, like the gen- studies have shown that education pro- nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:54 Oct 06, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05OC7.071 pfrm02 PsN: H05PT1 October 5, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8903 gentleman from Texas (Mr. SESSIONS) relationship that they would have with back their hard-earned money so that is recognized for 60 minutes as the des- their families to go and create opportu- they can take care of their own chil- ignee of the majority leader. nities for those families, many times dren. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, what I having a job where they had not had Point three: We raised the exemption would like to do is to take a few min- them in generations, and so what hap- on what is called the death tax, estate utes this afternoon and to begin a dis- pened was we changed the dynamics by tax. We looked at who was being hurt cussion with those Members who have changing the law. and we compromised with the Presi- been a part of what we have been doing What happened in that entire endeav- dent and said, we need to raise the ex- with economic development, a plan by or was we all of a sudden created eco- emption. the Republican Party, House and Sen- nomic opportunity. Instead of some We went immediately to farmers, ate. This plan gives us an opportunity seven million people being on welfare people who own their only property for to lead this country into further eco- today, as they were back before 1996, agriculture, and we raised the exemp- nomic development, an opportunity to there are now seven million people who tion. We changed this because we be- develop not only the plans that we get up every morning and leave their lieved then and believe now that the have had for quite some time on mov- home and go to work. They go to work people who own their own land and ag- ing this country forward by stopping and they become taxpayers. They have riculture, for the people that own their the deficit spending that has gone on, become credible people that we can own small businesses who, yes, may but also to turn the country to where look at and say they have made our have assets and resources but are cash we are able to look at ourselves and country better. Many times they may poor, should not, based upon death, what we want in the future of this be doormen or cooks, they may be driv- have these assets taxed to the point to country so that we have economic de- ers, they may be involved in teaching where their heirs have to sell the farm, velopment and prosperity in this coun- our children. But they are people who sell the small business and break it up try. have made a significant gain in their simply to pay the tax collector. Mr. Speaker, I would like to first own personal life and for the life of our These are the things that we did to talk to what this Congress began doing Nation. bring us to the point where we are in America where we have created a sur- in 1995, after the election that took We are now at the point where these plus. We now have breathing room. We place in 1994 where we signed the Con- seven million people have created op- now know and are prepared as a Con- tract With America. Back in 1994, when portunities, because they are now tax- gress to move forward with the new the Republicans began the effort we payers, to become a part of paying into President, a new President that has a called the Contract With America, we what this country has with its system, bold plan about how we are going to started this plan and idea, which I Social Security, Medicare, the oppor- not only make America sound by pay- signed on to because I believed, as my tunity to pay school taxes, to have a ing down the debt but by creating eco- Republican colleagues did, that it was strong voice because they now feel a nomic opportunity for the future. greater responsibility, and they have a comprehensive way for us to begin I am pleased to be joined today by been empowered to become a part of the discussion about how we change my good friend, the majority leader of the power structure from Washington, what we are doing. the United States Congress, the gen- What has happened is that this Re- D.C. to move power back home; how we tleman from Texas (Mr. ARMEY). The publican Congress went from 1996 to go about balancing the budget and still gentleman from Texas has been a lead- 1997 and we had a package, an eco- maintaining economic prosperity and, er in the efforts to make sure that the nomic development package, it was lastly, how we take the power that is plans that will develop America to called a tax cut package also, and we in Washington and empower people where people get back more money in understood as conservatives that we back home to begin making their own their pocket to where they have the decisions. would incent America to begin the power will be a key to our future be- process of wanting to not only invest b 1430 cause he is not only majority leader in jobs and opportunities but also to We knew in 1994, just as we do today, but he is also a grandfather and he rec- invest in our stock market and the ognizes that the future of this country that money equals power, probably al- critical mass that was necessary to rests with our grandchildren. ways has and probably always will, and begin our infrastructure capitals, and Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman that the people who have the money we did this by first cutting taxes. It from Texas (Mr. ARMEY) on this mat- are the people that are the decision was a following up with what happened ter. makers and they are the people that with us having our welfare changes. Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank will control, many times, the destiny. And we cut taxes. We cut the capital the gentleman from Texas (Mr. SES- Yet we understood that, back in 1994, gains tax. SIONS) for taking this hour so that we the estimates were that this Congress, Of course there were people that did can conduct this discussion. the Congress that was a Democratic not want us to do that. The tax collec- Mr. Speaker, I think we in America Congress at that time, would continue tors that were in Washington, D.C., ought to recognize our heroes, we not only spending every single penny said, we should not do that. That will ought to recognize the people that help that came to Washington, D.C., but ruin our deficit. We were told it would this Nation prosper and do well. they would also take that money and cost the tax collector $9 billion. In fact, There is no doubt in my mind that spend more than what we had. That what it did is it brought in $90 billion. this Nation owes a debt of gratitude to was called deficit spending, creating a It was the catalyst for this country Bill and Al. Bill and Al can rightfully debt that would be long-term on this completely turning around to where we be cited as the people that perhaps country. And in 1994, by and large, we all of a sudden then had a surplus. more than anybody else has made it had a debt in this country of $5.5 tril- For, you see, if you do not have a sur- possible for this Nation to be as pros- lion. plus, you cannot pay off your debts. perous as it is. The Contract with America, which What it did is it changed the direction More than any other two people, per- has been the baseline document for Re- to where we quit spending money on haps these two people, Bill and Al, are publicans and this Congress to move welfare and started spending more on the people that we can credit for all forward on, has become really a con- education and on the infrastructure of the jobs, the prosperous economy, the tract with America that would lead to this country. fact that the Federal Government is the development of where we are today. Point two: We looked at families and running a surplus, the fact that that What happened as a result of that said, you are the most important asset surplus combined with the fiscal re- was that two different times this Re- America has; and we created what was straint we have shown here in the publican Congress, understanding that then called a $500 per-child tax credit. House of Representatives has allowed welfare was a huge issue in this coun- It has been nothing less than mar- us just on last Saturday to have paid try, people on welfare needed to come velous to see my neighbors and friends down an astonishing, an astonishing and join what was going on not only in who want to take care of their own $350 billion in debt in the last 3 fiscal workplaces but would also be a better family who now have a chance to get years.

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:54 Oct 06, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05OC7.073 pfrm02 PsN: H05PT1 H8904 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 5, 2000 Bill and Al, Mr. Speaker, have done trillion. And so, my friend is right on Social Security benefits, increased so much more than any other two peo- target when he talks about the fact taxes across the Nation. ple I can think ever to warrant our ap- that when we look at where it is we are b 1445 plause and our appreciation for what going and the things that have been they have done to make all this pos- proposed, we are going back to a dra- Then in 1997, in fact, he vehemently sible. matic level of spending. objected to our budget agreement So I would like this body to join me In fact, I have argued that if, God where we reduced taxes and set us on to give a special thank you to Bill and forbid, AL GORE were to be elected the course to a balanced budget. The Al, Bill Gates and Alan Greenspan. President of the United States, there clear fact of the matter is that if you Without their hard work, we could not are many people, certainly on our side took the Congressional Budget Office have prospered the way we have done. of the aisle, who might look back and and the Office of Management and That is not necessarily the voice that think, my gosh, would it not be won- Budget at the White House, the projec- you will hear out of the campaign, Mr. derful if we had the days of Bill Clinton tions that they made in 1994 for where Speaker. The Vice President is running again. Because we know that it has we would be this fiscal year under the for President, and the essence of his been President Clinton who has em- President’s 1993 budget, that budget for message is, this prosperity is the best braced the 1997 balanced budget agree- which the Vice President so consist- idea I ever had. He is saying, without ment, putting us on the road towards ently claims credit by virtue of having myself and the President, we could balancing the budget not through the cast the tie-breaking vote in the Sen- never have had this prosperity; and if tax increase, much of which has been ate, that under that budget had it con- you do not elect me President, you repealed in 1993 that he put through tinued, we would have had a $264 bil- may lose your prosperity. and which Vice President GORE was the lion deficit this year. Now, that was It is a frightening thought, Mr. deciding vote on in the United States not my projection. That was the pro- Speaker. When I listen to these speech- Senate when they voted to do things jection made by the President’s own es on the campaign trail and I realize like have a $48 billion cut in Medicare Office of Management and Budget, that the argument that I am hearing is that was included in that package that which was agreed to by the Congres- that, the President and I gave you the they are so proud of, and at the same sional Budget Office. prosperity and if you lose us, you will time we saw the President embrace our It was only after 1995, 1996, and espe- lose the prosperity, I am haunted by tax reduction effort in 1997. cially 1997 where we made this enor- this fear that on Tuesday we will win He has embraced the traditional Re- mous change in direction in the budget the election and I will wake up on publican themes of free trade, and we that we began to see the projections Wednesday and discover the Internet are very proud that he joined with us change; and, indeed, rather than a $264 has gone away. in doing a number of free trade things; billion deficit that was projected for But let us look at this. The Vice and, of course, the welfare reform bill, this year under the President’s 1993 President says, my plan will secure the which, as we all have said time and budget, today, thanks to the 1997 budg- prosperity, my plan will preserve the time again, he twice vetoed and ulti- et, the welfare reform and the other surplus, my plan will continue to buy mately signed. things that we did, we have an actual down debt and save Social Security. My point is that those bipartisan ac- surplus of $250 billion. From $268 bil- We have taken the trouble to look at complishments which President Clin- lion in deficit to $250 billion of actual the Vice President’s plan. And, Mr. ton has joined us on, would I believe in surplus is a half a trillion dollars’ Speaker, the Vice President is putting large part be reversed with many of the worth of budget turnaround. out an economic plan that would spend programs that my friend is referring to Mr. DREIER. If the gentleman will the on-budget surplus. Indeed he would that have been unveiled by the Vice yield on that point, I think it is impor- not only spend all of the on-budget sur- President. tant for us to note that with that $264 plus, and this is what I refer to in com- I think it is very important for the billion projected deficit, it pales in mon parlance as the income tax sur- American people to know that, while comparison to the projected spending plus, but he would even return us to people have said that the moniker of level that we would see under these those frightening days of yesteryear tax and spend which traditionally had plans that have been unveiled by Vice when this Government continuously been put around the necks of Demo- President GORE. I think that is one of raided the Social Security, and under crats in the past and we Republicans the most troubling things. As bad as the Vice President’s plan, should he get have so often said tax-and-spend Demo- those proposals were projecting a $264 elected and implement his plan, we crats, it has been not as easy to do that billion deficit, they look wonderful, would not only spend all of the income over the past few years since President and almost like a surplus, compared to tax surplus, but he would go back to Clinton joined with us in a number of what has been put before us as far as the days of raiding the Social Security initiatives, but if we look at this pro- projected spending. trust fund and spending those monies, posal which has come forward from Mr. ARMEY. The gentleman is abso- as well. Vice President GORE, tax and spend lutely right. I am reminded of that Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, will the would be an understatement for the wonderful song by another very impor- gentleman yield? pattern that we would have. tant and colorful Californian, Merle Mr. SESSIONS. I yield to the gen- I wonder if my friend would agree Haggard, ‘‘Rainbow Stew,’’ where tleman from California. with that. Merle Haggard bemoans the American Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, yes, I fear that Presidents will go through my friend for yielding. would. I must say, if the gentleman the White House door and not do what The reason I am here is that, with from Texas will continue to yield to us, they said they would do. In the case of two distinguished Texans having taken my colleague says the Vice President the Vice President’s budget proposal, I the floor, I think it is important to today embraces the welfare reform and think, Mr. and Mrs. America, our fear provide a little geographic perspective he embraces the budget agreement we should be that this President would go to this debate. reached in 1997. through the White House door and do The fact of the matter is my geo- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I said the what he said he would do. graphic perspective comes from Cali- President did. We all look at Bill Clinton, and we fornia and the area which I am privi- Mr. ARMEY. The President did. think of him as a big spender; but when leged to represent, Los Angeles, which The fact of the matter is part of the you think of President Clinton as a big happened to be the site of the Demo- story that the Vice President does not spender, you have got to recognize that cratic National Convention. tell us is that he did in fact vote in 1993 as a big spender, he is a piker next to At the Staples Center, we saw the for President Clinton’s budget, that Vice President AL GORE and his plans. Vice President deliver a speech in budget that increased taxes, a larger Vice President AL GORE wants $3 for which he unveiled about 37 different increase in taxes than any other time new government spending programs programs which, based on the studies in the history of the world, increased compared to every $1 in new programs we found, would cost a projected $2.3 taxes on gasoline, increased taxes on requested by President Clinton. That is

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:54 Oct 06, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05OC7.075 pfrm02 PsN: H05PT1 October 5, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8905 what I call an awful lot of risky, big by the Vice President and his friends as independent analyst, I frankly have to government spending schemes. ‘‘the decade of greed,’’ where also inci- admit I do not remember which one it Vice President GORE’s spending pro- dentally you had charitable giving not was, I was either reading the news- posals add up to at least $2.7 trillion in only double but charitable giving to paper or I may have listened to it on new Federal spending over the next 10 faith-based institutions triple during National Public Radio, they came on years. This is important for us to un- this period of time. The American peo- and talked about how these proposals derstand: he would spend the entire ple did a magnificent job. They not which have come forward from the Vice projected on-budget surplus to pay for only built more, created more jobs, President actually match, or in some his massive expansion of government. earned more, paid more in taxes; but cases even exceed, the level of spending That is not what he said the other they doubled what they gave to char- that we saw launched as the Great So- night. He said the other night he is ities and tripled what they gave to ciety. going to preserve the surplus. But the faith-based charities. Yet they have We do know full well that the spend- fact is if he got his way on the spend- the audacity to look at you and me and ing on subventions that we saw ing proposal that he is campaigning on, our families back home and indict us launched with the Great Society were he would spend the entire income tax as having lived a decade of greed. in excess of $5.2 trillion, as Speaker surplus. We doubled what we sent to Wash- HASTERT likes to say, with a T, that is Mr. SESSIONS. It is interesting that ington. Bless us. What did Washington trillion with a T, $5.2 trillion in spend- what took place the other night with do with it? Washington increased ing; and we saw during that period of the discussion of what the Vice Presi- spending by $1.68 for every increased time the poverty level in this country dent said, and he looks right at the dollar we sent them. It does not take go from 14.7 percent to 15.2 percent. camera and says it. Yet he looked at any genius to figure this one out. Any And so that pattern has clearly failed. the camera and talked about him being time you increase the money coming in And we all know very well that it has in our home State a year ago when we by a dollar and increase the money failed around the world, as we have were having natural disasters and then going out by $1.68, you are going to run seen people clawing toward self-deter- admitted a day later, well, he was not a deficit. That is what we did. That def- mination. there at all. He told us a story about icit was so large that it not only spent We are watching the situation unfold the school where the girl who is the all of the Social Security trust fund at this moment in Belgrade where hun- daughter of the restaurateur did not surpluses we generated in those areas, dreds of thousands of people are storm- even have a desk to sit at. Yet the rea- up to $60, $70, $80 billion a year; but it ing to have self-determination because son why, we now find out, after the ran a $250 billion deficit. they feel that their votes were improp- fact, that 100 new computers were Let me just say, since 1994, after we erly counted there. The rest of the being delivered to the school that day put in the massive restructuring of world is moving towards individual ini- and her desk was taken to put a com- what we call entitlement or mandatory tiative, responsibility, self-determina- puter on it. spending, that spending that could tion, and the proposals that have come Which person can we trust? I would never be touched by any President but forward from Vice President GORE shift suggest to you it is the numbers that it was required by Congress to restruc- us back to the failed policies of the you have talked about that is his real ture the actual spending programs, Great Society. That is something that plan and the real effects that it will welfare reform being the most ap- I think again the American people need have. plauded incident of such reform, that Mr. ARMEY. That is what we are try- to know and it is an extraordinarily has put 4 million people to work that ing to do here. For example, one of the troubling situation. up to that point had lived in the hope- Mr. ARMEY. I want to ask the gen- other things we discover when we look less despair of welfare. But since that tleman from Texas (Mr. SESSIONS), we at the plan proposed by Vice President period of time, for every increased dol- all watched this debate the other night GORE is that for every dollar by which lar the American people have sent in to he would cut taxes, and I might men- and we are always impressed with glib Washington, spending has gone up by tion, that would be a net tax cut be- politicians. People who can turn a less than 50 cents. Once again, it does cause he has in fact more actual tax in- phrase impress us. I always like a creases than he has tax reductions in not take a genius to figure that one wordsmith. But every time I see one of his budget plan, but for every net dol- out. If you have got an increased dollar these politicians that can come along lar of tax reduction, he would raise coming out and you are spending out and so slickly recite expressions, government spending by $6.75. less than 50 cents, you are running a phrases, numbers, I always have to His spending spree would not stop surplus. stop and ask myself, can that fellow there. His plan would also spend from That surplus was the product of two really be trusted with words and num- the Social Security trust fund. We things: the prosperity of the American bers? stopped the raid on Social Security, people, the job creation, the expansion, One of the things the Vice President and we will not go back. the invention that we see in this mag- made a big point of the other night was Mr. Speaker, I think there is a fact nificent electronic revolution that we that if you elect me, we will never, we should recognize here. I think it is are surrounded by in America, the in- ever, ever touch your Social Security a telling statistical comparison. If we creased tax bonus that came to Wash- trust funds. Now, first of all they have take the period of time from 1980 to ington because America was doing got a bad track record on that. But we 1990, the United States people sent to well; and a first time in my lifetime re- take a look again at his budget pro- this government a doubling of the straint of government spending by a re- posals. And his very own proposals money they sent because of the eco- sponsible Congress that did the one when you score them out, they esti- nomic growth that followed in the first thing that everybody by that time mate that the Vice President would rob couple of years of the Reagan adminis- knew was imperative, reformed the in- the trust fund of between $500 billion tration in 1981 and 1982. stitutionalized, mandatory government and $900 billion to pay for his new Mr. DREIER. If the gentleman will spending programs that had been con- spending agenda. yield, that was due to one measure. It structed through all that period of Mr. and Mrs. America, we are today was the Economic Recovery Tax Act of time beginning in the mid-1960s called celebrating the fact that we have made 1981, which Ronald Reagan pushed for the Great Society programs of Presi- $350 billion in debt reduction; and here and was able to get ultimately some dent Johnson, and added to quite often we have got a fellow that has come southern Democrats and some of your by, and most often by, Members of this along and said, ‘‘I’m going to spend be- Texas colleagues to vote in favor of. body. tween $500 billion and $900 billion to That laid the groundwork for a dou- Mr. DREIER. If the gentleman will pay for my new programs.’’ bling of that flow of revenues to the yield on that point, when I heard him Mr. SESSIONS. I think the gen- Treasury through the decade of the mention the Great Society, I was re- tleman is right. What is interesting is 1980s. minded of an analysis that I heard of that I felt like that there should have Mr. ARMEY. Through the decade of the programs that have been put for- been some tracer along the bottom the 1980s. This incidentally is labeled ward by the Vice President, and an about truth in advertising, because, in

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:54 Oct 06, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05OC7.077 pfrm02 PsN: H05PT1 H8906 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 5, 2000 fact, what happened is that the Vice I guess if you look at the fact that think a real good answer would have President made it seem like that he there are people who make large been, you know, 81⁄2 years is long would support these lockboxes that amounts of money and maybe pay enough for that to happen. If they put would be available for Social Security $500,000, $1 million in taxes, you have the right folks in position and then and Medicare; and yet it is the Vice got to ask if someone does pay $500,000 charge up here, he will not have to go President’s own party, the Senate mi- in taxes, as Michael Reagan posed last to Canada; he can go to his corner nority leader TOM DASCHLE, that will night on his radio program when I was drugstore. not allow seniors today to be able to talking to him, are they not entitled to Mr. SESSIONS. Reclaiming my time, have their own lockbox for Social Se- some type of reduction? Well, under there has been a good question that has curity. And yet we are supposed to the plan that Governor Bush has put been thrown on the floor, and certainly trust the Vice President to say if he forward, they would get about a 10 per- the gentleman from Texas (Mr. HALL), were only President, he would accom- cent reduction in their tax burden. a man of great stature and also with plish what he cannot get done or Presi- Yet those who are earning less than grandchildren at home, as I looked at dent Clinton cannot get done today. $35,000 a year get how much, based on just in being the father of two little Truth in advertising should be impor- this assessment that Professor Cogan boys, I heard AL GORE talk about the tant. has put forward? A 100 percent reduc- top 1 percent. He was running against Mr. ARMEY. Yes, it should. Here is tion. Why? Because if you couple the success in America, people who are suc- another case in point. The gentleman doubling of the child tax credit from cessful, people who obviously have from California will recognize this dis- $500 to $1,000, along with the overall made so much money that, by golly, we tinguished professor from Stanford rate reduction, it is very, very clear should run against them. University, Dr. John Cogan. The Vice that those who are earning less than In fact, I have always taught as a President says his plan would cost $200 $35,000 are the greatest percentage parent, as a scoutmaster, and even as billion over 10 years. We have already beneficiaries from this program that an employer and certainly in my con- seen that the estimates are that it has been put forward by Governor gressional district, we want and need would rob the trust fund of between Bush. people who will come and work hard. $500 billion and $900 billion. The Vice Again, that has not gotten out there, Yes, they will be rewarded for what President says it would cost only $200 but Professor Cogan very correctly they do, but expect them to give back billion over the next years. Let us not points to that, those who are in the to their community. take my word for it. Let us not take upper-income levels have the lowest Bill Gates, incredible amounts of his word for it. Perhaps I might be per- percentage reduction. But it does seem money that he has given for learning ceived as one of those glib politicians, to me that the argument that we have projects, for opportunity to employ such a good wordsmith. How about Dr. been getting for the past several people, and yet what do we hear? We John Cogan of Stanford University. He months on this us-versus-them class hear Vice President GORE attack Bill says that the Vice President’s plan warfare, that is why I think George Gates, attack the top 1 percent. would cost $160 billion in the very first Bush is right on target when he de- It is a philosophy that then flows di- year alone. Yet the Vice President says scribes himself as a uniter and not a di- rectly to the Attorney General of the that it would be $200 billion over 10 vider. United States, who, rather than trying years. I have oft quoted our former col- to encourage competition, goes and Again, you have got to have an objec- league, the late Senator Paul Tsongas, beats up the largest, most value- tive measure of these numbers. Ladies who said it so well. He said, ‘‘The prob- packed company in the world, that has and gentlemen, be very, very careful lem with my Democratic Party is that created millions of jobs. when somebody says, ‘‘I’m from Wash- they love employees, but they hate em- Since that time, it is the Attorney ington; I’m here to help you. Trust me, ployers.’’ So that has created a situa- General and her actions of government I’m from the government.’’ I think it is tion where we do not recognize what that have put the economy at risk. It better to get a second opinion and a my friend from Dallas, Texas (Mr. is the high-tech companies that today second opinion from the professor from ARMEY) has just mentioned, where the are worried about their profits, that Stanford would be helpful here. people in, for example, the technology are worried about it. sector of the economy, 45 percent of Of course, the question that came b 1500 our Nation’s gross domestic product from Mr. Lehrer was about the world Mr. DREIER. I am going to give a growth in the past 3 years has come economy. I believe the answer is it is second opinion, but it is my opinion of from these job creators. the United States Government and AL what Professor Cogan had to say on the Yes, there are a lot of very rich peo- GORE, through the policies and proce- issue of tax reduction. My friend, an- ple, and I know my friend opened by dures because they do not like people other Dallas friend of mine here, the talking about Bill and AL. Bill Gates is to be rich, they do not want people to gentleman from Texas (Mr. SESSIONS), one of them, who has been very suc- be successful, for envy reasons, that just handed me a clip from the edi- cessful financially. But look at what he would destroy what we have built up in torial page of the ‘‘Wall Street Jour- has created in jobs, in improving the this country. nal.’’ quality of life and standard of living, Mr. ARMEY. Maybe the gentleman First, I see we are joined by another not only here in the United States, but from Texas might make a point. I gentleman from Texas (Mr. HALL). around the world. So they are tremen- would like to come back to that point Mr. SESSIONS. All conservatives. dous beneficiaries of this successful too. Mr. DREIER. I am happy to have the man, who has had the incentive to try Mr. HALL of Texas. I thank the ma- gentleman from Texas (Mr. HALL) join- and look at creative ways to deal with jority leader and the gentleman from ing us. Let me say as we look at where challenges that are out there. And Dallas. Everybody, from a young man we stand on this tax proposal, the these proposals, which would be so di- like Calvin Clyde from Tyler, Texas, thing that was very, very troubling was visive, that the Vice President has put who sits by my side, to people past my this argument that, of course, every bit forward, would do little more than sti- age, are a little sick of pitting class of benefit goes to the richest 1 percent fle that kind of creativity. I find it against class. I think that is old stock. of the American people. We continue to very troubling. I do not think it sets well. I think the have that argument put forward. Mr. HALL of Texas. If the gentleman American people can see through that. Professor Cogan has really blown the would yield, does the gentleman re- Mr. ARMEY. I want to talk about top right off of that argument, as was member when it was indicated that a this 1 percent. I am getting tired of pointed out, in this piece in the Jour- George McKinney, who was a friend of hearing it. When we tried to do the $500 nal the day before yesterday, in which the Vice President, had to go to Can- per child tax credit, they said that is it talks about the fact that people at ada, as a $25,000 a year man, had to go for the top 1 percent richest people of the lowest end of economic spectrum to Canada to get satisfaction in the America. Give me a break on that. I are those that have the greatest per- health field. I just wondered, who sent raised five children. I never felt rich at centage reduction. him up there for the last 8 years? I any time when one of those babies

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:54 Oct 06, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05OC7.078 pfrm02 PsN: H05PT1 October 5, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8907 came along. I perhaps had blessings be- tell the gentleman that I believe his destroy the surplus that we have yond my wildest dreams in all five of time as a professor of economics not worked so hard in the 6 years of Repub- them, but I do not remember feeling only pays often, has paid off in the lican administration of this Congress rich. past, but will pay off in the future. It is to build up. He would create just an- We said, well, we will eliminate the a matter of freedom. It is a matter of other huge entitlement program that marriage penalty. They came back and freedom about who is going to make would result pretty much in govern- said, that is a tax break for your rich decisions for who. ment price fixing, and the drug indus- friends. Again, come on, how many One of the things which we as con- try would drop innovation and would young people getting married feel rich? servatives repeatedly speak about is be giving all these free prescription They may feel blessed, but, bless their that we believe it is not only our drugs to people who do not need them, hearts, they do not feel rich. If they do money, but it should be our decision- and all the time he is telling us what a get married, why stick them with a making process also. I think it really great fiscal conservative he is. $1,400 tax penalty? I laugh at our Tax gets back to this question of who is Mr. SESSIONS. It is interesting that Code. It just tickles me. going to make the decisions for us. It is the facts of what George Bush’s own We have got a generous, although either going to be the tax collector or tax plan is all about was in the ‘‘Wall constantly eroding, home mortgage de- the taxpayer. And money still equals Street Journal,’’ a review of it, on Sep- duction to encourage us to buy a power, and the opportunity to have tember 5 of this year. Here is what it house, and then we have got a marriage money in your pocket means that you does. I quote from this article. ‘‘The penalty to encourage us to live in it cannot only engage in the debate and Bush tax cut does not favor the rich.’’ out of wedlock. The government can- be a part of what is happening, but you The ‘‘Wall Street Journal’’ says, not make up their mind as to what can have a say in the final answer. And ‘‘The Bush tax cut does not favor the they want to do in their social engi- when Washington, D.C. gets all the rich. This is not a flat tax, or even a neering. But that top 1 percent, this money, which is what AL GORE wants, proportional cut, though such cuts has become a mantra. No matter what then they will be the decision maker in would be more efficient in economic tax reduction you talk about, it gets life. terms. Rather, higher income families the same indictment. If we give the money back to the tax- get lower percentage reductions.’’ Here is the real story. The real story payer, which is what George Bush and b of the debate is whose money is it? If I 1515 the Republican Party wants, then we reduce taxes, I thereby will take less of This is household income. Those will have an opportunity for people to your money. It is your money. But how earning $50,000 to $75,000 a year would not only come and participate in Amer- is it characterized? As me having a big see an average cut of 30 percent. My ica, but for their answer to be the win- tax giveaway. colleagues, I will tell you that this is I cannot give away what is not mine ning answer, their dream to be the big- exactly in line with what our econom- to give. It is your money. And that is ger dream. ics have been, to take the burden away the fundamental message. Why is it if I yield to the gentleman from Cali- from people who earn between $50,000 they take 90 percent of the budget sur- fornia. and $75,000. Families earning $75,000 to Mr. DOOLITTLE. I appreciate the plus and we commit to buying down $100,000 would see an average cut of 18 gentleman having this special order. I debt, and then take from that 10 per- percent, and those earning more than cent that remains the essential spend- have been absolutely fascinated with $100,000 would have an average reduc- ing for a lot of our emergencies, like some of the claims I see being made by tion of 10 percent. the fires and floods you have been see- our liberal Democrat brethren, and one Mr. Speaker, what this does very ing, to restore our military readiness of them is that the big thing now is to clearly is say that where you have two so our children will be safe on the job attack our tax cut plan, because we are people, perhaps they are both teachers as they defend liberty here and abroad, giving a tax cut to the wealthiest 1 per- making $35,000 and $35,000, they would a few of the other things, and then say cent of Americans. Of course, they receive a cut of 30 percent. another 5 percent of it we give back in never point out those are the Ameri- All the time in my district, wherever taxes, or just refuse to take it away in cans who paid a lot of the taxes, and, in I go, I try and talk about how teachers taxes, why is that going to blow a hole fact, I believe the figures are that the are great for not only our schools and in the budget when you have got, by al- top 5 percent of taxpayers paid a ma- our children, but for America; and they ternative, a spending proposal that is jority of the income taxes in this coun- talk about they want a pay raise, they $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years? try. need more money, they need more Why is it they always say, when I So it is really Marxist class warfare, money. The George Bush tax plan spend more of your money, that is good is what it is. In fact, I do not like to would give the average teacher and a for the economy; but if I leave you to use the term ‘‘middle class,’’ and I hear spouse a 30 percent tax cut. spend more of your money, that is bad Vice President GORE use that term I cannot imagine any school board for the economy? over and over and over again. It is a giving their teachers a 30 percent tax Let me just finish my point. In the Marxist term. You will never find in increase. We need to have a tax cut. end, whether I spend the money or the the U.S. Constitution any reference to This government is too big and costs government spends the money, the acid ‘‘class.’’ In fact, it says all men are cre- too much money. We need to give the test is, am I getting what I need for ated equal. It is the very opposite of power back, yes, even to our own myself and my family? this idea of classes that are to be pitted teachers. Now, the Vice President, he presumes against each other, somehow using I yield to the gentleman from Texas he knows better. He thinks he can, government to redistribute benefits (Mr. ARMEY). through the government, buy better for from one to go to the other. Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I think me and my family than I can. My re- I was absolutely fascinated to hear the gentleman from Texas also makes sponse to that is, oh, yeah? When was the attack levied recently by the Vice a point, you have to define your terms. the last time you got your wife the President on Republicans, and specifi- What is a tax cut? George Bush sug- right birthday present? I cannot even cally Governor Bush, over this 1 per- gests, like most of us would and the figure it out for my wife, who I know cent, over giving the tax cut to all common sense parlance, that a tax cut better than any other person in the Americans, including the 1 percent of is a reduced tax bill to those people world and love more than all other peo- the wealthiest, and yet he then turns who pay taxes. Is not that what most ple in the world. And I cannot get the around and attacks the Republicans for Americans would think? right birthday present. Why does some- not giving free prescription drugs to Vice President GORE has one scheme body in Washington think they can do the top 1 percent of wealthiest Ameri- here where he asks the IRS to actually a better job for my wife than I can, or, cans. write checks to people who do not even for that matter, for me? The audacity Figure that one out. If that is not the pay taxes, and he calls that a tax cut. of that just amazes me. height of hypocrisy and nonsense, I do Now, I call that a spending spree. It Mr. SESSIONS. I thank the majority not know what is. His socialistic disas- seems to me that there is a very defini- leader for being here today, and I will trous plan for prescription drugs would tional thing.

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:54 Oct 06, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05OC7.080 pfrm02 PsN: H05PT1 H8908 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 5, 2000 Can you imagine when the Vice In fact, I would suggest my col- keep more of their hard-earned money President talks about his tax cuts that leagues turn to page 21 of this report, as they continue to overpay their what is featured in there is this risky it is the 2000 Index of Economic Free- taxes. scheme where he is going to say to the dom by the Heritage Foundation and What the Gore plan does is it says for IRS, you write checks to people who do Wall Street Journal, and what it dem- every dollar coming into the Federal not even pay taxes, and we will call it onstrates is empirically and objec- Government in the form of a budget a tax cut. I would not call it that at tively beyond a dispute that those surplus for the next 10 years, we are all. I would call that a funds distribu- economies, those societies that are going to take 46 cents out of that sur- tion. most free are also most prosperous, plus dollar, 46 cents out of every sur- Mr. Speaker, I pay taxes. The IRS allow their people to create the most plus dollar will go toward Washington, has taken my tax money and given it wealth, have the highest standard of will go toward new spending. to somebody else, but they are cer- living, and the greatest opportunity in Mr. Speaker, 36 cents of every sur- tainly not reducing anybody’s taxes in the world. And those societies which plus dollar will go towards Social Secu- the process. Let us start with making a are least free have the greatest poverty rity and Medicare and paying down the fundamental thing. A tax cut should and misery. debt. You take a look at the Gore plan, be, by definition, a reduction in the tax We know that that happens on the he has said in his speech and I notice in liability of somebody who pays a tax. extremes. We know that the Soviet the debate we are going to pay off the Is that not a fair definition? Union was an economic disaster, and debt by 2012. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I would the United States has been an eco- The Bush plans the debt off even fast- agree with the gentleman. I would nomic miracle, but the important point er. It puts more money towards pre- agree with that. that this study illustrates is that it is serving Social Security and Medicare Mr. ARMEY. I think the gentleman not only true on the extremes, but it is and paying off the debt. It puts 58 cents from Pennsylvania (Mr. TOOMEY) is true on the continuum in between. of every surplus dollar toward paying here with us. Mr. Speaker, just to finish and to off the debt, preserving Social Security Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. Speaker, if the conclude, the point that it makes is and Medicare. gentleman would yield, I would like to that if we move in the direction of The point is, if my colleagues take a add to this discussion the following greater economic freedom, lowering look at the blue slice of this pie in the thought: clearly, Governor Bush made the tax burden, lowering government Bush plan, after paying off the debt, the case, I thought very persuasively, regulation, limiting Federal spending, after stopping the raid on Social Secu- and the choice between Vice President limiting the control of our society in rity, paying off the debt in 12 years, AL GORE and what Governor Bush after having a meaningful prescription comes down to is will we be a freer so- the hands of politicians and bureau- drug benefit, people are still going to ciety in which the men and women who crats in Washington, if we limit that be overpaying their taxes, and Gov- produce the assets and resources of our and we expand personal freedom and ernor Bush is proposing that 29 cents of country get to decide how to allocate economic freedom, we will have more every surplus dollar go back to the peo- those assets and resources, or will it be prosperity, more economic growth, ple who gave us the surplus, the tax- a less free society and we will see the more opportunity, more people with payers. Federal Government’s massive new bigger take-home paychecks able to do What is the alternative to that vi- powers, massive new spending that the the things that work best for their sion? It is not paying down debt. It is Vice President has proposed and be- families; and that is the society that I not a question of cutting taxes or pay- lieves in? think we all want. I would just like to make two obser- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank ing off debt. It is a question of after vations. First, if we believe in the very the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. paying off the debt and shoring up So- central premise on which our Nation TOOMEY). The gentleman hits right to cial Security and Medicare, giving peo- was founded, the principle of individual the point, and that is, we want to be in ple their money back or spending it on liability, then that is a very compel- an America where we have opportunity new programs in Washington, which is ling reason in and of itself to support and faith in each other and faith in our what the Vice President is proposing. Governor Bush, because he wants to ex- future. He is proposing a minor 7 cents out of pand the freedom of the men and I yield to the gentleman from Wis- every surplus dollar going back to the women of our country. But if we are consin (Mr. RYAN), to talk about the taxpayers who gave us the surplus in not persuaded by that principle, then I surplus dollars. the first place and a whopping 46 cents would suggest that we ask ourselves, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, of new spending out of every surplus what does the empirical evidence sug- I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. dollar. So the question that the Vice gest? What does the data suggest about SESSIONS) for yielding to me. President has answered, is, it is not a the results of economic freedom? Mr. Speaker, I serve on the Com- question of paying off debt, it is a ques- The fact is, the jury is in, the verdict mittee on the Budget, and we work tion of not giving anybody their money is in. The outcome is very, very clear. very closely at taking a look at whose back or spending more money on new Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to my numbers add up, what we are going to programs in Washington. colleagues that they might want to do with the Federal budget surplus. I If my colleagues take a look at the read an annual report that is produced have here an apples-to-apples compari- amount of spending, Bush wants to by the Heritage Foundation in coopera- son of the Bush plan for the surplus spend $278 billion over the next 10 years tion with the Wall Street Journal, and and the Gore plan for the surplus. above and beyond the current budgets it is a fascinating report. What it does, I think it is very important to put for national defense, for education, for it measures the extent to which var- aside all the rhetoric you hear, because fixing Medicare. GORE wants to in- ious societies around the world are eco- a lot of times when you listen to politi- crease spending by $2.1 trillion. He is nomically free. cians’ rhetoric, when you listen to the proposing the largest spending increase It measures things such as the level presidential campaign rhetoric or the in 35 years to double the size of the of government expenditures in an econ- media’s interpretation of the rhetoric, Federal Government in 10 years. That omy, the level of the tax burden, the you do not actually see what is being is the proposal you see with the Gore amount of the regulatory burden, proposed. Let us take a look at what is budget. whether or not currencies are ex- actually being proposed. Mr. Speaker, this is a huge election. changeable. It takes this measurement, We have a monumental chance, a his- This is about philosophy and vision. and it evaluates those countries which toric opportunity to use this surplus to The question is, do you want your are essentially free economies, and it address the many challenges facing our money to come to Washington and to analyzes those which are essentially Nation. We have a chance to pay off stay in Washington, so that Wash- unfree, and then it shows an aston- our national debt. We have a chance to ington then can give you some of your ishing interesting correlation between shore up Social Security. We have a money back if you engage in behavior economic freedom and wealth and pros- chance to modernize and fix Medicare, that they approve of; or do you want to perity. and we have a chance to let people keep some more of your own money in

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:54 Oct 06, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05OC7.082 pfrm02 PsN: H05PT1 October 5, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8909 your paycheck to begin with? Do you very distinct, the failure of the Vice we cannot devise technology for nu- want us to become fiscally responsible President, when he was a Member of clear energy. Some countries produce and pay off our debts before we launch Congress, to ever come forth with a much, much more of their energy sup- into new spending sprees and creating balanced budget; the failure of Mr. ply by nuclear means. They do not more programs? GORE to ever come forward with a pro- want to talk about that, of course. But These are the questions that are posal to secure Social Security. He is there is no reason why we cannot do being answered that are going to be on talking about a lockbox. away with nuclear waste and turn that actually into energy production. There line in the ballot this November be- b 1530 tween Bush and Gore. is no reason why we should be held hos- I would like to thank the gentleman The Republicans did a lockbox here. tage. Under this administration, we from Texas (Mr. SESSIONS), who has or- He is talking about paying down the have increased our dependency to for- chestrated this hour and thank him for deficit by 2012. We are talking about eign sources. the time he has given. paying down the deficit sooner than Those are some of the things that I Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank that with the plan that we have. noticed in the debate. the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. There are things that he had an op- They talk about a tax cut and bal- RYAN). I thank the gentleman from portunity, but why did he not propose ancing the budget without hurting peo- California (Mr. DREIER), the chairman this? When the Democrats had control ple. We heard the other side here, as we of the Committee on Rules, and also of both Houses of Congress, the Senate, attempted to balance the budget. Bal- the gentleman from Texas (Mr. by a wide margin, and this body here ancing the budget is something they ARMEY), the majority leader. We have by a wide veto-proof margin, they could have done for 40 years here. All had an opportunity today to speak could do basically anything they want- they had to do was match the expendi- about the differences between what is ed to do. What did they do? He said, tures with the revenues. It is not a complicated thing. Most Americans do AL GORE’s old tax and scheme plans well, I cast the deciding vote for an versus confidence and security that we economic policy. it every week. They have to limit their will make sure that people make their Well, Mr. Speaker, his plan was to expenditures to what they take in. We did that, and kicking and scream- own decisions back at home which is pass a deciding vote to increase taxes ing and dragging some of our people called the George Bush plan. to the highest level they had. The plan through elections and calling them I want to thank my colleagues for that they brought to this floor of the names and accusing them of all kinds not only participating today, but for House of Representatives in 1993 when of atrocities is unfair. They want to do the fervency of their belief that Amer- they passed that huge tax increase pro- that again with Mediscare, with scar- ica’s greatest days lie ahead of us; that jected, their projections were a $200 bil- lion deficit this year. That would have ing seniors about social security. I believe that America’s greatest days Stop and think. I have great respect and no problem that cannot be solved been on top of raiding social security, which they had done decade after dec- for senior citizens all in my family in America, because America will be that I know because they have been responsible for its own destiny and the ade when they controlled this body. What a farce, to have this side and around a long time, and they are not future, not the government. fooled by those who will tell them that f one of the leaders of the other side come before the American people and they bankrupted social security when they had control of the entire process. ILLEGAL NARCOTICS tell them that he is going to solve the They were not only bankrupting the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. problem if he is given another chance. country in these huge deficit expendi- He had a chance in the Congress, he PEASE). Under the Speaker’s an- tures, but dipping into the social secu- had a chance when they controlled this nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the rity trust fund, dipping into the High- place for 2 years with a wide, wide mar- gentleman from Florida (Mr. MICA) is way Trust Fund, dipping into the avia- gin. What did they do? They taxed and recognized for 60 minutes. tion trust fund, dipping into the Fed- they spent the largest tax increase. Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased eral employees’ trust fund. to come to the floor this afternoon, and Talk about energy policy, they do Every one of these accounts they I hope to talk about the issue that I not have a clue of an energy policy. raided, until we were just about at our usually come on Tuesday to talk about They have allowed the United States of financial knees. Thank goodness a Re- but was preempted by the presidential America to be held hostage by ten dic- publican majority, a new majority in debates on Tuesday night, that is, the tators and by Middle East sheiks and the House and in the other body, came problem of illegal narcotics and the others and allowed our reliance from along to rescue that. damage that illegal narcotics have around 50 percent on foreign oil to go So now the folks from the other side done across our land. now into the 56 percent and growing that raided these funds, we restored Mr. Speaker, I cannot help but come range. So we are held hostage. That is the funds and took the abuse from to the floor, though, preceding my col- their policy. them and were putting our Nation’s fi- leagues who just spoke about some of What is amazing is that we are being nances in order, and they had the gall the differences and the great balance held hostage by people in the Middle to go before the American people and that we have that may be undone here East, we who sent, under President tell them that they need another 4 in this next election and some of the Bush, our young men and women to die years in the White House to solve these differences between the candidates on for them, and they cannot even nego- problems. They need control of the the issues. tiate an oil deal to give us a better rate House and Senate. I sat with many of my colleagues, on the per barrel oil price. Mr. Speaker, their history is tax and Mr. Speaker, and watched the debates. They do not have a clue of an energy spend. Their history. We passed legisla- There are some things I would have policy. On our side of the aisle, we have tion putting our financial House in mentioned that were not mentioned. all backed a domestic plan and tried to order. We also passed a $1,000 tax credit Governor Bush has not been part of the increase domestic production, tried to for those people who have children in legislative process here. The governor get alternative fuels. I have been up to this country when they said we could was chief executive of the State of the ANWR region of Alaska. The foot- not do it, that we could not do that. We Texas. print that they had and the technology passed a marriage penalty tax which Mr. GORE has been a Member of the they had years ago when they took oil was vetoed by those same folks that other body, and the differences are out of Prudhoe Bay, and even taking have taken control that want to deny very dramatic. He served a number of oil out of Prudhoe Bay, it is not the tens and tens of millions of working years as a Member of Congress and fi- same technology today that it was 20 men and women a little bit of money nally as a Member of the other body, years ago. There is a very small im- back in their pocket and not be penal- and it was interesting. print and footprint for oil production. ized for being married. Before I get into the drug portion of There is no reason why we have to be Is that family-friendly? Is that help- my talk this afternoon, I want to talk energy dependent. We can put a man on ing working people? So I saw those de- about some of the differences that are the moon. And there is no reason why bates, too. I am so glad my colleagues

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