Political Quotes

“The proposed language on the balanced budget constitutional amendment, section 5, reads as follows: The Congress may waive the provisions of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. The provisions of this article may be waived for any fiscal year in which the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, which becomes law. My concerns with this provision, Mr. President, are addressed, I believe, by the amendment that we will consider tomorrow. Very briefly, if one reads this section very carefully, word for word, and I emphasize in my reading of this section the language that is of particular concern to me, and that is 'is engaged in military conflict'--now the earlier language, 'a declaration of war,' troubles me as well--it seems to mean we would have to be in the midst of a conflict before we can waive the provisions of the amendment.”