1994: THE YEAR OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDEMENT?

When Congress soon reconvenes, an issue expected to come before lawmakers is one that I have supported and sponsored for years -- the Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The last time the House had the opportunity to vote on this important fiscal tool, it fell short of the two-thirds majority needed by only nine votes. This time around, I am more hopeful that it will meet that super-majority and pass.

Americans have spoken loud and clear; they want the federal government to get its fiscal house in order. Paying off the interest on our nation's debt is a drain on the economy and a burdensome use of taxpayer dollars. I have long contended that a Balanced Budget Amendment is a necessary enforcement mechanism to ensure that the liberals in Congress and the administration don't go on senseless spending sprees at our expense. It should be obvious that with deficits for 29 of the last 30 years, Congress simply doesn't have the discipline to do it alone and needs this measure on the books.

The Senate is supposed to vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment on Feb. 22, 1994, and hopefully the House will follow suit sometime in mid march. If the liberal leadership tries to block these attempts for a vote, lawmakers like myself are prepared to fight for that right to vote as we did in 1990 and in 1992 by invoking a little-used legislative maneuver known as a discharge petition. The discharge petition, which needs 218 House Members' signatures, can expedite the process by side-stepping the leadership's wishes and bringing a bill immediately to the floor for a vote.

No more roadblocks and no more political delays. Congress needs fiscal discipline "now; it should begin by voting on and passing the Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.