John Conyers actually said...

"Additionally, a balanced budget amendment would undermine the Federal Government's ability to respond to a national crisis."

"A balanced budget amendment could be used to loot our Nation's savings funded by money taken out of every American's paycheck to pay for other things and to balance the budget."

"Professor Blinder, your testimony attracted three questions from me."

"For me personally, I've long been reluctant to amend the Constitution to require a balanced budget, because such an amendment could have a devastating consequence for millions of Americans."