House set for balanced budget amendment vote
Washington (CNN) -- The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Friday on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution -- a key component of GOP leaders' plan to end the federal government's spiraling deficit spending.
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 require three-fifths of both chambers of Congress to sign off on any future deficit spending. The amendment's requirements could be waved 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."
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, blasted the proposal on the House floor Thursday, accusing Republicans of engaging in political posturing by pushing measures like the balanced budget amendment while failing to support spending plans that would actually bring the government's finances under control.
"Don't talk about it. Just do it," Hoyer said. "Don't cut taxes and increase spending. Don't just preach fiscal responsibility. Practice it. It will take no courage to vote for this amendment, but it will take courage to balance our budget by paying for what we buy."
Most political analysts believe the amendment's prospects for success are slim. The measure would have to receive at least a two-thirds vote of approval in both the House and the Democratic-controlled Senate, and be passed by at least three quarters of the states.
The House passed a balanced budget amendment in 1995, but the measure fell one vote short in the Senate twice -- in both 1995 and 1997.