Is It Time For A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT? (McCain, Congress, Reagan)

[KevK]

This was brought up in the early 1980s when Reagan was running up deficits and I am wondering if it is not time to take another look at the idea of putting a Balanced Budget Amendment on the Federal Constitution. My own view is that I would support the idea so long as the amendment had a provision for an emergency opt out that would require the President declare a National Emergency and that 4/5ths of the Congress and the Senate declare the emergency and that it be repaid within 5 years of the end of the emergency. If the emergency lasted longer than a year (such as a major war or disease outbreak), the President, Congress and Senate would be required to renew the declaration with the same 4/5ths vote.
It is my belief that, if these politicians know they either have to RAISE taxes or CUT other programs to fund all this pork, they will think twice. They are not going to say "I am voting to cut Social Security to pay for a bridge to nowhere". What do you think?

[jcarlilesiu]

I think that is an excellent idea.

[pghquest]

Is It Time For A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT?

Oh my god yes... along with a line item veto that will pass the constitutional requirements..

[Sunny-Days-in-Florida]

Actually I believe that Jim Demint(R) is working on doing this soon.

[texdav]

That is teh only way your going to get rid of teh shell games fo supposed off sets that bever happen like the recent scoring by CBO in the heathcare bills.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

Actually I believe that Jim Demint(R) is working on doing this soon.

Please tell me that me and Jim DeMitt don't agree on something!

[wjtwet]

Originally Posted by KevK

This was brought up in the early 1980s when Reagan was running up deficits and I am wondering if it is not time to take another look at the idea of putting a Balanced Budget Amendment on the Federal Constitution. My own view is that I would support the idea so long as the amendment had a provision for an emergency opt out that would require the President declare a National Emergency and that 4/5ths of the Congress and the Senate declare the emergency and that it be repaid within 5 years of the end of the emergency. If the emergency lasted longer than a year (such as a major war or disease outbreak), the President, Congress and Senate would be required to renew the declaration with the same 4/5ths vote.
It is my belief that, if these politicians know they either have to RAISE taxes or CUT other programs to fund all this pork, they will think twice. They are not going to say "I am voting to cut Social Security to pay for a bridge to nowhere". What do you think?

time for a constitutional convention so the people can amend the constitution. We have to stop the spending

[doctorhugo]

I received this only this past week:

Saturday, February 6, 2010
Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) introduced two major budget reforms today: S.2990, a one-year moratorium on earmarks and, S.J.Res. 27, a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment that includes a two-thirds majority requirement for raising taxes. DeMint is calling on his Republicans colleagues to lead by example and cosponsor both of these important measures.

Here are the Republican Senators (and Republican Senate candidates) who are supporting both reforms along with a list of Republican Senators who are not.

Candidates Who Support
Kelly Ayotte (NH-SEN)
Ovide Lamontagne (NH-SEN)
Mike Lee (UT-SEN)
Danny Tarkanian (NV-SEN)
Rand Paul (KY-SEN)
Curtis Coleman (AR-SEN)
Tim Bridgewater (UT-SEN)
Jane Norton (CO-SEN)
Ken Buck (CO-SEN)
Marlin Stutzman (IN-SEN)


Republican Cosponsors
Richard Burr (NC)
Saxby Chambliss (GA)
Mike Crapo (ID)
Tom Coburn (OK)
John Cornyn (TX)
Jim DeMint (SC)
John Ensign (NV)
Lindsey Graham (SC)
Johnny Isakson (GA)
Jon Kyl (AZ)
John McCain (AZ)
George LeMieux (FL)
James Risch (ID)

Republicans Who Have NOT Cosponsored
Lamar Alexander (TN) -- (202) 224-4944 -- Email
John Barrasso (WY) -- (202) 224-6441 -- Email
Bob Bennett (UT) -- (202) 224-5444 -- Email
Kit Bond (MO) -- (202) 224-5721 -- Email
Scott Brown (MA) -- (202) 224-4543 -- Website
Sam Brownback (KS) -- (202) 224-6521 -- Email
Jim Bunning (KY) -- (202) 224-4343 -- Email
Thad Cochran (MS) -- (202) 224-5054 -- Email
Susan Collins (ME) -- (202) 224-2523 -- Email
Bob Corker (TN) -- (202) 224-3344 -- Email
Mike Enzi (WY) -- (202) 224-3424 -- Email
Chuck Grassley (IA) -- (202) 224-3744 -- Email
Judd Gregg (NH) -- (202) 224-3324 -- Email
Orrin Hatch (UT) -- (202) 224-5251 -- Email
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) -- (202) 224-5922 -- Email
James Inhofe (OK) -- (202) 224-4721 -- Email
Mike Johanns (NE) -- (202) 224-4224 -- Email
Richard Lugar (IN) -- (202) 224-4814 -- Email
Mitch McConnell (KY) -- (202) 224-2541 -- Email
Lisa Murkowski (AK) -- (202) 224-6665 -- Email
Pat Roberts (KS) -- (202) 224-4774 -- Email
Jeff Sessions (AL) -- (202) 224-4124 -- Email
Richard Shelby (AL) -- (202) 224-5744 -- Email
Olympia Snowe (ME) -- (202) 224-5344 -- Email
John Thune (SD) -- (202) 224-2321 -- Email
David Vitter (LA) -- (202) 224-4623 -- Email
George Voinovich (OH) -- (202) 224-3353 -- Email
Roger Wicker (MA) -- (202) 224-6253 -- Email

No Democrat has cosponsored both of these measures.

Click here for complete list of Senators and their contact information.
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WORKS FOR ME! Now let's see if some of the disenchanted demonRATs who can't stomach Oba-Care can put their vote where their mouths are, because passage of this stops the Oba-meister in his neo-Marxist tracks.

[workingclasshero]

balanced budget NOW

and

no ear mark or line item veto...now

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by doctorhugo

Here are the Republican Senators (and Republican Senate candidates) who are supporting both reforms along with a list of Republican Senators who are not.

Thanks, I called mine who has "not issued a statement at this time" and I encouraged him to do so..