[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17550]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

  (Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the 
American people to let their voice be heard. Our crushing national debt 
and our out-of-control spending is something that has been made aware 
of for so many, but it is time to do something about it.
  As part of the House Republican plan for America's job creators, we 
have a stated goal: to pay down America's unsustainable debt burden and 
start living within our means.
  Madam Speaker, when I served in the Michigan Legislature, we had to 
live under that same requirement of a balanced budget according to the 
Michigan Constitution. It made for some very, very difficult decisions.
  But you know what, Madam Speaker? The American people are not only 
ready, they are asking for this reasonable step to be made for us to 
insert this balanced budget amendment into the United States 
Constitution as well. They need to do it in their own lives. It's time 
government do it as well with theirs.
  Living within our means is a requirement in their lives. It is a 
requirement for a vast majority of the State governments. It's time 
that the Federal Government do that as well.
  It's time for your voice to be heard. And, frankly, Madam Speaker, 
it's time for the American people to hold accountable those who will 
not listen.

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