"Tough choices and fiscal responsibility by Congress have allowed our nation to pay down the national debt by over $100 billion this fiscal year, double last year's level," said Ramstad, who cited U.S. Treasury Department figures released today at a Ways and Means Committee hearing on debt redemption.

"For the second year in a row, the federal government is doing the responsible thing and paying down the debt."

The House earlier this week passed a resolution reaffirming its commitment to pay down the federal debt and not to spend any of the Social Security surplus.

"My No. 1 priority is to lock away 100% of the Social Security Trust Fund, pay down the national debt and provide responsible tax relief," said Ramstad.

"The choice between President Clinton and Congress is clear – we want to lock away 100 percent of the Social Security Trust Fund and return a portion of the remaining tax overpayment to the taxpayers who paid it," Ramstad said. The President wants to spend it on new federal government programs."

"As one who has consistently sought to work with other members of Congress in a bipartisan, common sense way, I still think we should, and can, negotiate a reasonable package to restore some Medicare cuts, pay down the debt and provide reasonable tax relief," said Ramstad. "While that is appearing increasingly unlikely, we will be back next year to get some real relief to Minnesota taxpayers."

# 30 #