Orrin Hatch: “I wish to respond to the impoundment argument that Senator Johnston has just raised. In each of the years the balanced…”

“I wish to respond to the impoundment argument that Senator Johnston has just raised. In each of the years the balanced budget amendment has been debated, I have noticed that one specious argument is presented as a scare tactic by the opponents of the amendment. This year the vampire rising from the grave is Presidential impoundment. Supposedly, a President, doing his best Charles I of England impersonation, when faced with the possibility of budgetary shortfalls after ratification of the balanced budget amendment, will somehow have the constitutional authority--nay duty--to arbitrarily cut social spending programs or even raise taxes. Well, Charles Stuart literally lost his head when he claimed as a prerogative the powers of the Commons. So too, a President may not claim authority delegated by the Constitution to the people's Representatives. The law is our Cromwell that will prevent impoundment. I want to emphasize that there is nothing in Senate Joint Resolution 1 that allows for impoundment.”