1st Court Ruling on Budget Cuts Coming Friday
A special three-judge federal court plans to rule Friday on the constitutionality of the Gramm-Rudman Act, which requires a balanced federal budget by 1991, it was announced today.
A spokeswoman for the court, which heard arguments in the case Jan. 10, said the decision will be made public at noon.
The measure was attacked as “Byzantine” and an abdication of Congress’ responsibilities in a suit by 12 members of Congress.
The law, passed in December, triggers automatic across-the-board cuts if Congress is unable to reduce the current deficit of around $200 billion--either through spending cuts or tax increases.
No matter what Friday’s decision says, an appeal to the Supreme Court for speedy review is expected.
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