Orrin Hatch: “I just hasten to point out that when the Gramm-Rudman- Hollings bill came up, I was consulted by both sides, in both the…”

“I just hasten to point out that when the Gramm-Rudman- Hollings bill came up, I was consulted by both sides, in both the House and the Senate, and they asked us whether we thought that provision would be constitutional. We told them we did not think it was. Frankly, we advised them not to go that route, but the House insisted on having congressional control over the budget process through the Comptroller General. As we all know, the Bowsher case confirmed what I suggested would happen. I am saying again today that we will be flying in the face of 200 years of separation of powers doctrine and constitutional law, to go the way that the distinguished Senator from Nevada would have us go. I think it would undermine the separation of powers principle and, I think, cause people all over the country to fight his amendment, even if it had a chance of passing, just because of that one point. I reserve the remainder of my time.”