S 274 Session 112 (1997-1998)
S 0274 Concurrent Resolution, By Mescher and M.T. Rose
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PRESENT A
FEDERAL BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE STATES FOR RATIFICATION THAT WOULD
REQUIRE THAT THE TOTAL OF ALL FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR ANY FISCAL YEAR MAY
NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL OF ALL ESTIMATED FEDERAL REVENUES FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR.
01/29/97 Senate Introduced SJ-10
01/30/97 Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-20
02/04/97 House Introduced HJ-3
02/04/97 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-3
INTRODUCED
January 29, 1997
S. 274
Introduced by Senators Mescher and Rose
S. Printed 1/29/97--S.
Read the first time January 29, 1997.
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO MEMORIALIZE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO
PRESENT A FEDERAL BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
TO THE STATES FOR RATIFICATION THAT WOULD
REQUIRE THAT THE TOTAL OF ALL FEDERAL
APPROPRIATIONS FOR ANY FISCAL YEAR MAY NOT
EXCEED THE TOTAL OF ALL ESTIMATED FEDERAL
REVENUES FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR.
Whereas, the annual federal budget has not been balanced since 1969,
and the federal public debt is now more than $5 trillion--or $20,000
for every man, woman, and child in America; and
Whereas, continued deficit spending demonstrates an unwillingness
or inability of both the federal and executive branches to spend no
more than available revenues; and
Whereas, the fiscal irresponsibility at the federal level is lowering our
standard of living, destroying jobs, and endangering economic
opportunity now and for the next generation; and
Whereas, the federal government's unlimited ability to borrow raises
questions about fundamental principles and responsibilities of
government, with potentially profound consequences for the nation
and its people, making it an appropriate subject for limitation by the
Constitution of the United States; and
Whereas, the Constitution of the United States vests the ultimate
responsibility to approve or disapprove constitutional amendments
with the people, as represented by their elected state legislatures; and
opposition by a small minority repeatedly has thwarted the will of the
people that a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution should
be submitted to the states for ratification. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives
concurring:
That the Congress of the United States expeditiously pass, and
propose to the legislatures of the several states for ratification, an
amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring in the
absence of a national emergency that the total of all federal
appropriations made by the Congress for any fiscal year may not
exceed the total of all estimated federal revenues for that fiscal year.
Be it further resolved, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House
of Representatives of the United States, each member of the South
Carolina Congressional Delegation, and the Secretary of State, and
the presiding officers of both houses of the legislatures of each of the
other states in the union.
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