Pete Domenici: “I believe it clarifies that if we get into a bind and gridlock up here as we seek the implementing legislation, that…”

“I believe it clarifies that if we get into a bind and gridlock up here as we seek the implementing legislation, that during that gridlock, if it occurs, we do not have the courts of America deciding how to balance the budget of the United States. That is very important to me. I have read a few decisions where the courts have in fact ordered taxes imposed. I think they may go beyond that in the future. So I think it is important that amendment be accepted. Having said that, I have come to the conclusion, having heard all of the administration witnesses as to why we should not adopt this constitutional amendment, that many of the reasons that they state we should not adopt it are the very reasons we must. Because from this Senator's standpoint it is not the appropriated accounts of this Government, the domestic part of that is about 17 percent of the budget on our side for all the programs that everybody says are breaking the bank.”