Robert Torricelli: “I have listened patiently to the analysis of my amendment by Members of the minority and by Members of the majority for…”

“I have listened patiently to the analysis of my amendment by Members of the minority and by Members of the majority for some time. I am also aware of the uniqueness of the moment. We are debating an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The vote on that amendment is extraordinarily close. It is argued by my friend, the Senator from Utah, that the balanced budget amendment is as good as we can produce. Mr. President, the Constitution of the United States is as close to perfection as has ever been achieved in managing the affairs of men and women. This is one case when good is not good enough. There are those who say that providing for a capital budget and the ability to respond to international military emergencies or national economic crises are simply amending gimmicks of a balanced budget amendment. Mr. President, meeting our historic responsibility to defend the United States in military emergencies, or dealing with economic recessions, or depressions is not a gimmick. It is a profound responsibility. I have voted for a balanced budget amendment on other occasions, and I want to do so again. I approach it with extraordinary regret because I believe that our generation should be no less in managing the financial affairs of this country than all of those who preceded us. They did so because they cared about the future. They cared about the country, and they refused to abuse their ability and their power to borrow beyond their means.”