Political Quotes

“I must confess that I am not particularly comfortable as a proponent of adding a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and I never have been. Many of those with whom I am frequently aligned on issues that don't enjoy much popular political support yet represent sound public policy are very much opposed to this amendment--and cannot understand why I am supporting it. But I am not persuaded by the impassioned arguments against it, and, regrettably, that leaves me at odds with the President, the leadership of my party, most editorial writers, and virtually all of the progressive organizations with which I often find common cause. It was out of frustration that I first came to support the amendment well over a decade ago during the time the Federal Government began to run huge annual deficits year after year, with no evidence of the discipline necessary to rein them in and I have been a reluctant backer ever since. As most of our colleagues know, however, I've always been far more committed to a balanced budget than to a balanced budget amendment and I would not be supporting an amendment now, if I held out any hope that we would actually reach that goal without it.”