Friday, July 29, 2011

The Balanced Budget Amendment Text in Boehner 2.0

Having just gotten off the phone with some house staffers I can confirm the following:



A balanced budget amendment has been added to the Boehner bill.  After this morning's caucus meeting, GOP leadership is confident that the bill now has enough support to pass.



The details of the BBA provision are:



  • In order for the second debt ceiling rise to happen in 6 months a BBA must be passed by both Houses and sent to the states.

  • The original house version of the BBA which requires a 2/3 majority for a balanced budget to be waived in time of crisis is not part of the language.

Now there is no reason to object to the bill, it is a short term so the cuts are not as big as we would like to see, but as promised the cuts cover the amount the debt ceiling is raised, plus it sets a spending cap and requires a BBA.



For those who say that the inclusion of a BBA is an indication that the GOP is unwilling to compromise...Horse Poop!  The Democrats originally complained they didn't have enough time to consider a BBA, this bill gives them six months to have a nice discussion.



Another complaint of the Democrats was the 2/3rds majority needed for the balanced budget to be waived. Here is another compromise. This provision leaves it open to be negotiated between the two houses.



The choice is clear, pass Boehner plan and the conservative wing of the party will most likely win the battle and  gain an advantageous position to win the war (2012 Election) giving us a the opportunity to exorcise Obamacare,  and make the necessary  changes needed to save our country.  Reject the Boehner plan, we may very well lose the battle and the war.



The vote is will happen early this afternoon. I urge you to call your Rep and ask for the passage of  the Boehner plan.





Full Text of the Amendment to the Boehner Bill below as posted by the House Rules Committee.





AMENDMENT TO S. 627

AS MODIFIED BY THE AMENDMENTS IN HOUSE

REPORT 112-184


In section 301, in the matter proposed to be inserted as section 3101A(a)(2)(A) of title 31, United States Code, strike ‘‘is greater than $1,600,000,000,000’’ and insert ‘‘is greater than $1,600,000,000,000 and the Archivist of the United States has submitted to the States for their ratification a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States pursuant to a joint resolution entitled ‘Joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States’ ’’.



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