Political Quotes

“I rise to introduce a piece of legislation that I have introduced in every Congress since 1987--a proposed constitutional amendment requiring Congress to balance our Nation's budget. This bill has bipartisan support and will allow us to finally begin to get our fiscal house in order. A balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, I believe, is the only certain mechanism that will break the cycle of deficit spending. I believe we must ensure that the government does not continue to saddle our children and grandchildren with the current generation's debts. Essentially, this amendment that I propose requires the United States not spend more money than it receives in revenue, except in times of war, or when suspended by a vote of three-fifths of both Houses of Congress. This bill that we propose will provide financial stability to our Nation. Bailouts, stimulus programs, government takeovers of private industry, and costly new programs have consumed and overwhelmed the Federal budget. Over the past 30 years, annual deficits have become routine and the Federal Government has incurred massive debt--nearly $14 trillion and rising quickly.”