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House rejects balanced budget amendment
CNN ^ | Nov 18 2011 | By Alan Silverleib, CNN

Posted on 11/18/2011 1:59:13 PM PST by NoLibZone

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Friday rejected a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution -- a setback to GOP leaders and conservative activists who claim the measure is necessary to end the federal government's spiraling deficit spending.

A total of 261 members voted for the measure --- 23 votes shy of the two-thirds majority required for passage -- while 165 members opposed it.

Most Republicans supported the measure; most Democrats voted no.

The vote on the amendment was agreed to by both parties over the summer as part of the agreement raising Washington's debt ceiling. Democratic leaders, however, are vehemently opposed to the idea, arguing that it would force the government into an economically destructive cycle of massive spending cuts.

Sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, the measure would have required three-fifths of both chambers of Congress to sign off on any future deficit spending. The amendment's requirements could have been waived in the event of a declaration of war.

"The American people are demanding action," Goodlatte said earlier this month. "They know that it is crucial we rein in the skyrocketing deficit spending that is discouraging investment and threatening to bankrupt our nation.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: balancedbudget
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1 posted on 11/18/2011 1:59:14 PM PST by NoLibZone
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To: NoLibZone
WTH?
2 posted on 11/18/2011 2:00:16 PM PST by NoLibZone (Occupy- Proof we are right - They beg for retrun of morality that the left removed from society.)
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To: NoLibZone

Does that surprise you?


3 posted on 11/18/2011 2:01:35 PM PST by SoJoCo
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To: NoLibZone

It was a phony bill, allowing unlimited spending, never would have got through the senate or the Kenyan in chief.


4 posted on 11/18/2011 2:03:18 PM PST by boomop1 (term limits is the only way to save this country.)
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To: NoLibZone
Voting for the Democrats continuing resolutions while voting for a balanced budget amendment reveals one as a fool.
5 posted on 11/18/2011 2:05:16 PM PST by Prokopton
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To: Prokopton

Would that be the crier?


6 posted on 11/18/2011 2:06:56 PM PST by NoLibZone (Occupy- Proof we are right - They beg for retrun of morality that the left removed from society.)
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To: NoLibZone
a setback to GOP leaders and conservative activists

No. This was a bad bill.

Without a cap on spending, a balanced budget ammendment would mandate new taxes.

7 posted on 11/18/2011 2:09:05 PM PST by FatherofFive (Islam is evil and must be eradicated)
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To: NoLibZone
Would that be the crier?

Yep, the Crybaby and a whole lot more.

8 posted on 11/18/2011 2:10:21 PM PST by Prokopton
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To: SoJoCo

Yes.

I had no expectation that the Senate would pass it or that Obimbi would sign it , but thought for sure it help promote conservatism.

No one would think it would pass and yet they still will not support it.


9 posted on 11/18/2011 2:10:23 PM PST by NoLibZone (Occupy- Proof we are right - They beg for retrun of morality that the left removed from society.)
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To: FatherofFive

Ahh Ok thank you


10 posted on 11/18/2011 2:11:00 PM PST by NoLibZone (Occupy- Proof we are right - They beg for retrun of morality that the left removed from society.)
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To: NoLibZone

Why WTH? There was no chance of getting two thirds given reasonably solid democrat opposition. It’s good to put the dems on the record, but it was a symbolic vote.

AP and now CNN have once again made fools of themselves in trying to shield the dems on the issue. I’m reminded of the Bush 43 era, when the word filibuster disappeared from the MSM lexicon. Harry Reid & Co. filibustered across the board, and the MSM reported “Congress rejects” or “Bush defeated” on one proposal after another that mustered a majority in the Senate but fell short of 60 votes. It was exceedingly rare for the MSM to report “Democrats block” or “Democrats filibuster.” Same thing now.


11 posted on 11/18/2011 2:15:09 PM PST by sphinx
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To: NoLibZone
Yes.

The GOP doesn't hold 2/3rd of the House or the Senate. There was no way this was going to fly. And the GOP leadership knew it, which is why they allowed the vote in the first place.

12 posted on 11/18/2011 2:16:38 PM PST by SoJoCo
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To: NoLibZone

Related:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2809532/posts


13 posted on 11/18/2011 2:19:57 PM PST by illiac (If we don't change directions soon, we'll get where we're going)
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To: NoLibZone
The Balanced Budget Amendment doesn't guarantee what you think it does Go to Michel Malkin for a good rational.

Go Here for the THE-TEA-PARTY-BUDGET File

14 posted on 11/18/2011 2:25:57 PM PST by Jimmy Valentine's brother (Mark Steyn, Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele are good for the soul)
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To: NoLibZone

They needed 2/3 for passage. The GOP doesn’t have enough votes by themselves. Therefore, this is no surprise. Democrats do not want a balanced budget.


15 posted on 11/18/2011 2:26:31 PM PST by Antoninus (Take the pledge: I will not vote for Mitt Romney under any circumstances. EVER.)
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To: NoLibZone

If any Constitutional amendment passes the House and the Senate with a 2/3 vote in each, it goes directly to the states. The President has no role in amending the Constitution.


16 posted on 11/18/2011 2:29:11 PM PST by mdwakeup
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To: SoJoCo

Actually, that’s not the reason. The vote was required as part of the law that also produced the Supercommittee.


17 posted on 11/18/2011 2:32:36 PM PST by mdwakeup
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To: NoLibZone
I had no expectation that the Senate would pass it or that Obimbi would sign it , but thought for sure it help promote conservatism.

A resolution to amend the Constitution doesn't go to the President for signature or veto; if it passes 2/3 of each house of Congress, it goes straight to the State legislatures.

18 posted on 11/18/2011 2:53:19 PM PST by Lurking Libertarian (Non sub homine, sed sub Deo et lege)
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To: boomop1
It was a phony bill, allowing unlimited spending, never would have got through the senate or the Kenyan in chief.

You and Herman Cain(*) must've had the teacher on the constitution.

Presidents have no involvement in amendments. When they pass by 2/3rds of each house in Congress they go out to the states' for ratification.

* In one of his flubs, Cain said he'd sign a constitutional amendment.

19 posted on 11/18/2011 2:53:46 PM PST by newzjunkey (Republicans will find a way to reelect Obama and Speaker Pelosi.)
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To: FatherofFive
I agree, this sounds like a badly drafted amendment. There was a far better one associated with Cut, Cap & Balance.

This is a case where we're better off with no amendment than a bad amendment.

20 posted on 11/18/2011 2:56:26 PM PST by newzjunkey (Republicans will find a way to reelect Obama and Speaker Pelosi.)
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