Reps. Wenke, Sheen, Milosch, Brandenburg, Garfield, Tabor, Drolet, Bradstreet, Acciavatti, Stahl, Huizenga, DeRossett, Ehardt, Farhat, Hummel, Jamnick, Julian, Kooiman, Richardville, Stewart, Taub, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Woronchak and Gleason offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 177.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to adopt and submit to the states for ratification a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require a federal balanced budget.

            Whereas, While the economic health of our nation is dependent on a wide range of complex factors, one of the key components is the state of the federal government's annual budget.  Of the economic factors that can be controlled, the maintenance of a deficit or a surplus may be the most important; and

            Whereas, There are many significant benefits to our country to be gained from a balanced budget and from a constitutional provision to require this at the federal level.  Less of the nation's financial resources would have to be channeled to deal with the nation's debt.  Ultimately, more of our tax dollars would be available for the many areas of public endeavor that reflect our national priorities, such as education, the security of our nation, health, and the creation of jobs.  Fiscal discipline can be a powerful tool for strengthening our country in many ways; and

            Whereas, Since there are parallels between the impact of unchecked debt on a government and on a family, the American people understand well the wisdom of policies that encourage governments to balance their budgets.  The example of this requirement in local and state government argues strongly for similar requirements at the federal level; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to adopt and submit to the states for ratification a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require a federal balanced budget; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.