Asa Hutchinson: “I certainly agree--and Congress will, should we pass this amendment, and the States ratify this, and this become a part…”

“I certainly agree--and Congress will, should we pass this amendment, and the States ratify this, and this become a part of the Constitution--Congress will, at long last, fulfill its constitutional oath of office and we will enforce a balanced budget. Congress has not done that. We have not done that because we lack a constitutional hammer, a constitutional discipline requiring us to do so. The courts will not be imposing taxes. The President will not be impounding. But Congress will be doing what will be, then, our constitutional obligation in balancing the books. Senator Kennedy's amendment is directed to the issue of judicial review. I believe it is in fact unnecessary. The relevant limitations on the powers of the courts, which are found in the doctrines such as ripeness, standing, and political question, effectively prevent Federal courts from raising Federal taxes or reallocating Federal budget priorities, which are the purview of Congress.”