II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 897 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 24, 2009 Mr. Hatch introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget A BILL To limit Federal spending to 20 percent of GDP.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Limitation on Government Spending Act of 2009.

2.

Limit on Federal spending

(a)

Definition

Section 3 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622) is amended by inserting at the end the following: (11)

Federal spending limit

The term Federal spending limit means— (A)with respect to fiscal year 2011, outlays not exceeding 22 per cent of the GDP; (B)with respect to fiscal year 2012, outlays not exceeding 21 per cent of the GDP; and (C)with respect to fiscal year 2013 and fiscal years thereafter, outlays not exceeding 20 per cent of the GDP. (12)

GDP

The term GDP means the gross domestic product for the relevant fiscal year as most recently estimated by CBO. . (b)

Federal spending limit point of order

Section 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 642) is amended by inserting at the end the following: (d)

Federal spending limit point of order

(1)

In general

It shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that includes any provision that would result in a deficit for a fiscal year that exceeds the maximum deficit amount or Federal spending limit, as applicable, for such fiscal year. (2)

Waiver or suspension

This subsection may be waived or suspended in the Senate only by the affirmative rollcall vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. (3)

Appeals

Appeals in the Senate from the decisions of the Chair relating to any provision of this subsection shall be limited to 1 hour, to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the appellant and the manager of the bill or joint resolution. An affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under this subsection. .