[Pages H693-H694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


URGING PASSAGE OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WITH THE SUPERMAJORITY 
                               PROVISION

  (Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
   [[Page H694]] Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, we truly have a historic 
opportunity today. That is to pass a balanced budget amendment. The 
time is finally here. We can pass a balanced budget amendment with a 
60-percent supermajority to pass a tax increase.
  Mr. Speaker, I doubt if there is any Member of this body who 
campaigned on the right to increase taxes. In fact, many of those who 
did raise taxes are no longer with us in this body. The Barton 
amendment gives Republicans and Democrats the opportunity to match 
their rhetoric with the reality of their votes here in Washington.
  Back home in Indiana, a 60-percent supermajority to pass a tax 
increase does not seem enough. In fact, in Indiana they would like 100 
percent of this House to have to approve a tax increase, maybe twice, 
and maybe if they pass it, even an extra clause for a caning for those 
who pass the tax increase. At the grass roots they do not understand 
why we cannot decrease the size of Government rather than constantly 
increase taxes.
  Mr. Speaker, today we have the opportunity to pass that. The people 
of Indiana, the people of this Nation, are watching. I hope we can get 
the supermajority necessary to pass this protection for our children 
and ourselves out into the future.

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