Orrin Hatch: “I first pay tribute to my colleague from Montana and tell him how much we appreciate his willingness to support this…”

“I first pay tribute to my colleague from Montana and tell him how much we appreciate his willingness to support this balanced budget amendment. I know it has been a very difficult decision for all of us because there are arguments on both sides of this issue. I also have a great deal of affection not only for him but for my colleague from Nevada, who, it seems to me, has conducted this debate on his amendment with about as much dignity and class as anybody I have ever seen in the history of the Senate. I personally appreciate it. So I thank the Senator from Montana and the Senator from Nevada, as well. Both of you are dear friends. Let us keep fighting, because I personally believe we can pass this joint resolution. I think we have to. Even though nothing is perfect, it is a Democratic and Republican, bipartisan opportunity for us to try and do something. Mr. President, some of my colleagues have argued that the balanced budget amendment is a figleaf. To the contrary, it is the first step toward our country's fiscal atonement. That is a pretty high-flung term to talk about 'atonement,' but $5 trillion in debt, going to $6.3 trillion within 3 years, spending our children's and grandchildren's future away, I think this is fiscal atonement.”