Obviously, we just can't get Boner and the Republicans to do anything without a Balanced Budget Amendment. So taking the not so totally batshit crazy one they introduced back in January, I've made just some minor adjustments and present for your approval.
H.J.RES.2 -- Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. (Introduced in House - IH)
HJ 2 IH
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 2
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 29, 2011
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
`Article--
`Section 1. Total outlays for any fiscal year shall not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year, unless three-fifths of the whole number of each House of Congress shall provide by law for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a roll call vote.
`Section 2. The limit on the debt of the United States held by the public shall not be increased, unless three-fifths of the whole number of each House shall provide by law for such an increase by a roll call vote.
`Section 3. Prior to each fiscal year, the President shall transmit to the Congress a proposed budget for the United States Government for that fiscal year in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts.
`Section 4. No bill to increase revenue shall become law unless approved by a majority of the whole number of each House by a roll call vote.
`Section 5. The Congress may waive the provisions of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. The provisions of this article may be waived for any fiscal year in which the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, which becomes law.
`Section 6. The Congress shall enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation, which may rely on estimates of outlays and receipts.
`Section 7. Total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States Government except those derived from borrowing. Total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States Government except for those for repayment of debt principal.
`Section 8. Total Defense spending shall not exceed 40% of the total outlays for any fiscal year, except in the case of war as specified in Section 5.'
â Section 9. Corporations are not persons and are thus subject to regulation by Congress and not entitled to rights expressly granted to the people.
â Section 10. Citizens of the United States have a right to health care.
â Section 11. No restrictions may be made limiting access to abortion beyond the minimum of those performed to terminate a pregnancy due to rape, incest, or before the end of the first trimester. Nor shall it be restricted in any manner when the health and safety of the mother is in jeopardy. Beyond these minimum standards, the States may permit less restrictive policies. Harm to an unborn child that is not considered to be an authorized medical procedure of abortion performed by a licensed practitioner with the consent of the mother may be prosecuted as a criminal act and is not authorized by this act. No public Federal government funds may be used to pay for such services, however the States may individually choose to do so.
â Section 12. Public funds shall not be paid to any religious organization nor shall any special tax treatment be provided to such organizations.
â Section 13. ''The President may disapprove any item of appropriation in any bill. If any bill is approved by the President, any item of appropriation contained therein which is not disapproved shall become law. The President shall return with his objections any item of appropriation disapproved to the House in which the bill containing such item originated. The Congress may, in the manner prescribed under section 7 of article I for bills disapproved by the President, reconsider any item disapproved under this article.
â Section 14. The Senate shall hold a vote within 90 days to confirm a Presidential nomination, regardless of Senate Rules.
â Section 15. Members of the United States Supreme Court shall serve a maximum of 20 years.
â Section 16. `The death penalty shall not be imposed by the United States, or by any State, Territory, or other jurisdiction within the United States.'
â Section 17. This article shall take effect beginning with the later of the second fiscal year beginning after its ratification or the first fiscal year beginning after December 31, 2016.
Feel Free to add on. For a great list of what has been proposed recently, try http://www.usconstitution.net/...