[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

  (Mr. PALAZZO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, every month Americans sit down at kitchen 
tables or computers to balance their checkbooks and bank accounts to 
ensure their spending doesn't overwhelm their way of living. I've been 
at that kitchen table for those discussions. Now the United States 
Congress is finally coming to the table to have a similar discussion 
with the American people.
  By passing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, we tell 
the American people we are serious about putting our financial house in 
order. No longer will we overpromise and overspend at the expense of 
trillions of dollars and our children's future.
  This week I will stand with my colleagues to support a notion that 
seems foreign within the beltway, that we cannot spend more than we 
take in. The fact that this is a radical concept in Washington, D.C., 
demonstrates just how out of touch this town has become and how far we 
have to go. But getting to where we need to be won't occur without the 
critical step we take this week to pass a balanced budget amendment. 
This action puts us in line towards economic recovery, sustainability, 
and, above all else, with the needs and priorities of the American 
people.
  I urge my colleagues to support the balanced budget amendment.

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