Democrats Concerned About Deficts and National Debt

I am delighted at the increasing number of my Democrat friends who express concern about the Federal budget deficit and the National Debt. I ask them to join me and support the Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution.

In the 1994, the Republican Contract With America included a commitment to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment

On January 26, 1995 the House exceeded the 2/3's constitutional requirement vote passing the Balanced Budget Amendment 300 to 132 with 129 Democrats and 1 Socialist voting no.
Since it required a two-thirds vote or 67 aye votes, it was defeated in the U.S.
Senate on March 2, 1995, almost passing but with a vote of 65 to 35. Republican Senator Bob Dole voted no hoping he could find the one extra vote and then having voted on the prevailing side move for reconsideration. The 34 Democrats voted no to defeat the Balanced Budget Amendment which they did. Each of these Senators bear responsibility for the Balanced Budget Amendment not passing Congress including California's Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer who each voted no.

This version of the Balanced Budget Amendment included a provision to allow deficit spending when appropriate such as during an economic downturn or during war if sanctioned by a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress. The Balanced Budget Amendment made sense in 1994 and it still makes sense. Let's work together and get it passed.

See The Fiscal Responsibility Act at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_with_America