Cord Byrd: “earlier we witnessed here in the Senate one of those vital moments of historic drama for which the U.S. Senate was…”

“earlier we witnessed here in the Senate one of those vital moments of historic drama for which the U.S. Senate was created, that moment during which our friend and colleague, Senator Mark Hatfield from Oregon rose and announced his opposition to the proposed balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. When he did that he wrote on this very day his own profile in courage. Senator Hatfield and I are both standing in this debate on principles that transcend both party allegiances and personal quirks. Our position is against vilifying the sacred document on which this Republic is based with parochial conceits and economic policies that will surely be viewed in the future as an anachronism--if this amendment is ever adopted in the country. Our position on this matter reflects a conservative stance on the Constitution, based on the ``strict constructionism.'' Where are all these conservatives we hear about? Like Disraeli, I am a conservative: To retain all that is good in the Constitution. And the radicals remove all that is bad. This position of strict construction is rooted in American history and in constitutional traditions. But one thing highlights Senator Hatfield's position and differentiates that position from my own position. Senator Hatfield is swimming against the inclinations of the majority of his caucus. It may very well turn out to be almost a unanimous caucus except for his vote.…”