[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   THE INTRODUCTION OF A BIPARTISAN BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE 
                   CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 3, 2017

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, as of today, the current debt of the 
United States is reaching almost $20 trillion. The national debt per 
taxpayer is about $166,800. For comparison, a recent report by the 
Census Bureau stated that median household income was just under 
$57,000.
  It's clear that we are in dire straits. The States understand the 
gravity of this issue and for decades have been enacting policies that 
align their own spending with debt. Indeed, 49 states have a balanced 
budget provision that applies to their own budget. Furthermore, 27 
states have already called for a constitutional convention to consider 
a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.
  This Congress provides renewed opportunity for this body to consider 
such a provision. Given the difficult fiscal decisions that inevitably 
lie ahead, our actions must be grounded in commonsense policies that 
are constitutionally required. This amendment provides the necessary 
foundation.
  This balanced budget amendment is the same language that passed the 
House with bipartisan support in 1995 and fell only one vote short in 
the Senate. It is the only balanced budget proposal to achieve the 
support of a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives. 
The amendment forces Congress to live within its means by ensuring that 
total federal spending does not exceed total revenues.
  This amendment is identical to the balanced budget amendment 
considered in the House of Representatives in the 112th Congress, which 
received 261 bipartisan votes when it came to the House Floor. It 
requires that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenues. It 
also requires a true majority of each chamber to pass tax increases and 
a three-fifths majority to raise the debt limit. Last Congress, 110 
cosponsors signed onto the resolution.
  A strong majority of Americans support a balanced budget amendment to 
the Constitution. After all, they know what it means to live by a 
budget and they rightfully expect the federal government to do the 
same. They are asking Congress to work together to ensure that this 
amendment, which is so critical to the future of our country, becomes a 
reality.

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