Cord Byrd: “I think the committee report language that was prepared by the committee, of which the distinguished Senator from Utah…”

“I think the committee report language that was prepared by the committee, of which the distinguished Senator from Utah is chairman, makes one of the best cases against this amendment. He says there won't be any more games played. Take a look at this report. It tells you what games to play. Let me read it. Talking about the estimates of outlays and receipts, it says, ``Estimates means good faith, responsible, and reasonable estimates made with honest intent to implement section 1, and not evade it. This provision gives Congress an appropriate degree of flexibility.'' We have got more and more ways to play games. It ``gives Congress an appropriate degree of flexibility in fashioning necessary implementing legislation. For example, Congress could use estimates of receipts or outlays at the beginning of the fiscal year to determine what the balanced budget requirement of section 1 would be so long as the estimates are reasonable and made in good faith.'' Now we are going to play games about who is reasonable, what is reasonable, and what isn't. ``In addition, Congress could decide that a deficit caused by a temporary self-correcting drop in receipts or increase in outlays during the fiscal year would not violate the article.…”