Dole Predicts Action on Balanced Budget
WASHINGTON — Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) said Thursday that he hopes to call up a balanced budget amendment for Senate action by Thanksgiving and believes that there are enough votes in the GOP-controlled chamber to approve it.
Rep. Larry E. Craig (R-Ida.), a House sponsor of a similar measure, said he believes that the constitutional amendment could also gain the necessary two-thirds approval in the Democrat-led House, but only if it passes the Senate first.
The lawmakers spoke at a luncheon sponsored by the Limitation-Balanced Budget Amendment Coalition, which backs an amendment that would require a balanced federal budget except in wartime or if both houses of Congress approved a specific deficit-spending proposal by 60% majorities.
“I think we can pass the balanced budget amendment and I hope to have a chance to call it up between Nov. 1 and Thanksgiving,” Dole said.
The Senate approved such an amendment in 1982, but it failed to gain approval in the House.
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