[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 30 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NECESSARY FOR CONGRESS TO CONTROL ITS SPENDING 
                                APPETITE

  (Mr. HUTCHINSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, Congress has shown itself incapable of 
restraining spending and it is time to enshrine in our Constitution a 
requirement for a balanced budget.
  Opponents argue that it trivializes the Constitution to include 
budget issues in it. While I agree that a constitutional amendment is 
not the ideal course--that would be for Congress to display the 
discipline to control its spending appetite--but while not ideal, it is 
necessary.
  On a scale of comparative risks, the risk is far greater in rejecting 
a balanced budget amendment. We cannot just wait and take our chances. 
I remember what the old curmudgeon said when the scientists warned him 
that Mount St. Helens might erupt. He said, ``I've been here nearly 60 
years and it ain't blown yet.'' He now lies under 40 feet of volcanic 
ash, and our economy will be buried under a mountain of debt if we do 
not act now.
  So for our children and their children, I urge my colleagues to 
support a balanced budget amendment. Reject those who say, ``It's not 
blown yet.'' Let us act now.

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