[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, a sour note occurred this morning when the 
newspaper Roll Call indicated that consideration of the balanced budget 
amendment to the Constitution may not necessarily lead to a vote. I am 
deeply disappointed, to be very honest with my colleagues, at the 
prospect that a few Senators are hoping to gridlock this amendment. 
This, I believe, is a momentous issue, and the need for an amendment 
increases with every passing day and the growing of a monstrous Federal 
debt.
  To explore adequately all of the issues involved with a balanced 
budget amendment will require lengthy and appropriate floor debate. 
Amending the Constitution is a serious undertaking, and this 
legislation deserves full and adequate consideration.
  However, it also deserves fair consideration, and Senators deserve to 
vote on final passage. If a minority tries to bottle up a balanced 
budget amendment, it implies that they just do not trust the judgment 
of the American people. Polls have consistently shown that people are 
demanding this amendment by 4-to-1 and 5-to-1 margins.
  Obstruction of this amendment also implies mistrust in the democratic 
process and the will of the people as exercised through State 
legislatures that would be responsible for ratification of any 
amendment that we might send forth. The American people deserve a 
chance to see this debate in process, to hear of the issue, and to see 
Senators as they vote on a final decision of whether the American 
people ought to have a right to determine whether we should operate 
under a Constitution that would require a federally balanced budget.
  Senators have been chastised on this floor for creating gridlock, 
which, of course, in some instances might appear to be legitimate. But 
certainly, in an instance that denies the majority the right to vote, 
the right to debate, the right to discuss an issue, it is, in fact, a 
serious charge and a serious challenge.
  I call on the majority leader, and I call on my colleagues to implore 
the majority leader to help, not hinder, the Senate in doing its job of 
completely considering a balanced budget amendment and in that 
consideration to take a final vote on its passage.
  This Senator also pledges, Mr. President, to stay out here on the 
floor as long as it takes to win the final vote on this issue. I am 
confident that a sufficient number of my colleagues, a strong majority 
of this body, will join with me and argue that it is absolutely 
necessary that we debate this issue and that we vote on this issue and 
that opponents who may want to prolong the debate only for the purpose 
of denying a vote will be denied that opportunity.
  I yield back the remainder of my time.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DANFORTH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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