Senate Committee OKs 2 Balanced Budget Measures

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved two versions of a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget, deciding to let the full Senate choose between them.

Both measures would permit deficit spending only on a three-fifths vote of the House and Senate, or by majority vote if a declaration of war was in effect.

Constitutional amendments, after approval by Congress in two-thirds votes of both houses, must be ratified by 38 states. Thirty-two state legislatures already have expressed themselves on the issue, calling for a constitutional convention on a balanced budget.

Sen. Howard M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio) argued unsuccessfully that the balanced budget language in either proposal amounts to a “hypocritical gesture to convince the American people that the President and Congress are doing something” about deficit spending.

One proposal, favored by President Reagan, was approved by a vote of 11 to 7. This version would limit future tax increases to annual increases in the national income, unless there are roll-call votes in each house to permit further hikes. A similar proposal won Senate passage two years ago but died in the House.

The second proposal, which does not address taxes, was approved by a vote of 14 to 3.