Ford Press Releases, January - April 1966: 12130682

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FORD STAT&IENT - APRIL 14, 1966
of 82 per cent of the Democrats have voted for higher spending and, inevitably,
higher taxes. (See Table)
On the same six roll calls in the HOuse of Representatives, an average of
93 per cent of my Republican minority colleagues have stood up for economy and
the now dwindling hope of holding off inflation and higher federal taxes for
future April fifteenths.
We were Jaced with 3 new spending proposals, all having some merit in normal
times but steamrollered through the Blank Check Democratic Congress by lopsided
majorities. Then we tried to trim excess fat from 3 appropriation bills which
came to us before the recess. Some of these proposals were worthy, and they had
powerful advocates. But we are at war~-and not doing too well with it. So again
the roll was called. Again the result was the same. Ninety-three per cent of
the Republicans were for savina; 82 per cent of the Blank Check Democrats were
for 1110-re .spending.
Who votes for higher taxes? Democrats--four out of five of them. We cannot
expect to stop this steamroller without substantial help from any Jeffersonian
Democrats still left in the Congress--and it doesn't look like there are very
many of them left.
But we are going to make the record clear for the people to judge in
November, and I predict that the next Congress will be known as the Check and
Balance Congress instead of the Blank Check Congress. I am confident that here
in the legislative branch, at least, this country will have the right kind of
leadership next year to meet the mounting array of dilemmas and disasters at
home and abroad.
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