Bob Dole: “let me just take a moment to indicate that we have not yet given up on this side of the Capitol on the balanced budget…”

“let me just take a moment to indicate that we have not yet given up on this side of the Capitol on the balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. I view the one-vote loss as a temporary setback. I am very optimistic about passing the balanced budget amendment with the necessary two-thirds vote in this Congress. It means either this year or next year. We will be making every effort, not only on this side of the aisle, but along with Senator Simon on the other side of the aisle, to secure one additional vote. That is all it takes, one additional vote. We can call it up, reconsider it, no debate, and then vote on the balanced budget amendment; no debate, 67 votes, and it will then go to the States for ratification. I hope that any of my colleagues who may have voted the other way have had time to think about this seriously. It is an item supported by 80 percent of the American people. It is a discipline we need in the Congress of the United States. My view is its time has come and, in my view, it will happen this Congress. And I hope that we will have even more than the 67 votes required. All those who have been frightening and trying to scare senior citizens, I suggest that has not been effective. We have indicated from the start that we are not touching Social Security, and we will proceed on that basis in the budget discussions.”