May 4, 1977
Page 13479
THE BUDGET
Mr. HARRY F. BYRD, JR. Mr. President, the New York Times today published an article on page 1 by Mr. Martin Tolchin which I have found most interesting. I shall read four paragraphs of that article. It is datelined Washington, May 3.
A deepening division, both political and philosophical, between President Carter and Democratic leaders in Congress emerged today at a second White House meeting on legislative priorities.
The dispute involves the President's assertion yesterday that his top priority was a balanced budget by 1981, a position regarded as political heresy by Democrats in Congress who stress the need for social welfare programs.
Democratic leaders in Congress said privately that they regarded the President's reverence for a balanced budget as vintage conservative Republicanism, at odds with both the Democratic tradition of social activism and the broad base of Democratic support, including the cities, labor, the elderly and the disinherited.
In addition, Democrats have traditionally built their party with patronage from large scale welfare programs.
Mr. President, I have no way of knowing the accuracy of that New York Times piece today. I do wish to say, however, as one Member of the Senate, that I support President Carter if indeed he does have as top priority the balancing of the budget by 1981.
I think it is vitally important for the welfare of the United States that the Federal Government's budget be balanced not later than fiscal year 1981. As I say, I do not know whether the New York Times report today is accurate or inaccurate, but if it is accurate and President Carter does make balancing the budget by 1981 his top priority then he shall have the full support of the Senator from Virginia in seeking to accomplish that purpose.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
Mr. HARRY F. BYRD, JR. I yield to the Senator from Maine.
Mr. MUSKIE. I am glad to reassure the distinguished Senator that it is President Carter's priority. I attended what apparently was the first of two meetings at the White House earlier this week, a meeting which was called by the President for the purpose of emphasizing that priority and discussion of some of the problems down the road that we must face and deal with if we are to achieve that objective.
So I thought the Senator might like that reassurance from me, and may I say I concur in that objective.
Mr. HARRY F. BYRD, JR. I thank the able Senator from Maine. I am glad to get from him that assurance.
And I say again I think the President is on the right track, and so far as the Senator from Virginia is concerned I am delighted that he is making this his top priority.