[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AND LINE-ITEM VETO

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                           HON. BILL EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing two bills today to amend 
the Constitution to provide some budgetary common sense--one will 
require a balanced Federal budget; the other will provide line-item 
veto power for the President.
  I have long been a staunch supporter of a balanced budget amendment 
to the Constitution. I have cosponsored the balanced budget amendment 
since I came to Congress, but until recently, the amendment was blocked 
by its opponents.
  In 1992, the balanced budget amendment fell just nine votes short of 
the two-thirds majority needed for passage. In the 103d Congress, I was 
disappointed to see that both the House and the Senate rejected the 
balanced budget amendment. Some Members of the Congress continue to 
oppose the balanced budget amendment, claiming that Congress needs 
fiscal discipline now instead of in the future. I agree with part of 
that statement wholeheartedly: Congress does need fiscal discipline 
now. It should be obvious to all, however, that with deficits for 30 of 
the last 31 years, Congress simply has not had that discipline.
  I will continue to push for passage of the balanced budget amendment. 
A constitutional amendment is no substitute for direct action on the 
part of Congress. However, we have seen time and time again that 
Congress does not have the ability to provide that action, and we need 
this enforcement mechanism. While I share individuals' concerns about 
social security and other vital programs, I believe Congress needs this 
fiscal tool to ensure budget discipline. It is time to just say no--and 
mean it--to the tax-and-spend policies that have gotten the Federal 
Government into this mess to begin with.
  My rationale for introducing a line-item veto resolution is similar. 
As long as Congress continues to send the President jam-packed, all-
encompassing spending bills, the President must often choose between 
signing unnecessary spending into law on one hand and shutting down the 
Federal Government on the other. A General Accounting Office [GAO] 
report estimated that if the President had line-item veto authority 
from 1984 through 1989, the savings would have ranged anywhere from $7 
billion to $17 billion per year.
  In the 103d Congress, the House passed an expedited rescission bill 
which would force an up-or-down vote on a presidential rescissions 
package. I voted for this bill--it's a far cry from the true line-item 
veto, but it is a step in the right direction. We need to encourage 
fiscal responsibility in the Congress.
  I urge support and passage of both of these important fiscal 
accountability bills early in the 104th Congress. The time is right for 
this legislation to finally come to fruition.


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