Orrin Hatch: “Mr. President, let me assure the American people that the balanced budget amendment is neither snake oil nor a tonic. It…”

“Mr. President, let me assure the American people that the balanced budget amendment is neither snake oil nor a tonic. It is a necessary first step to a healthier economic lifestyle. It is as sensible as anyone who has been a binge deciding, finally, to go on a diet. This amendment puts a bloated, overgrown Federal Government, and out of control Federal bureaucrats, on a diet. Now, as our colleague from Idaho, who is certainly helping me on this amendment and is one of the leaders on this amendment, Senator Craig has said, if someone decides to go on diet to lose 100 pounds over 2 years, we do not ask that person to name every meal he or she intends to eat over those 2 years. To ask for a budget over the next 7 years is equally a diversion. Indeed, just imagine if some of our colleagues had been sitting in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, in Philadelphia.”