[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 30, 1992]
[Page 1053]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Balanced Budget Amendment

June 30, 1992
    I call upon the Senate today to cut through the procedural obstacles 
and pass a balanced budget constitutional amendment.
    Americans overwhelmingly support a constitutional amendment 
requiring a balanced Federal budget, and for good reason. The debt we 
accumulate today jeopardizes sustained economic growth and will burden 
our descendants for generations to come. A balanced budget amendment 
would help to provide the necessary discipline to our Government, both 
the legislative and executive branches, to make the difficult budget 
decisions.
    Although the House of Representatives earlier this month voted 
overwhelmingly in favor of a balanced budget amendment, we fell just 
nine short of the necessary two-thirds majority of House Members voting. 
I strongly believe that that House vote should not be the end of the 
line. Senate passage now of the balanced budget amendment would provide 
an opportunity for the House to reconsider its earlier close vote and, 
once and for all, move to put in place the fiscal discipline the 
American people demand.