Reps. Wenke, Gosselin, Lipsey and Vagnozzi offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 35.

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, The economic health of the nation is dependent on a wide range of complex factors, and one of the key components is the federal government's annual budget. Of all of the economic factors that impact our nation's well-being, the maintenance of a deficit or a surplus in that budget may be the most important because it is one of the few areas that can be controlled; and

            Whereas, Our nation was founded on a platform of fiscal austerity. In addition to this tradition, 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. Fewer of the nation's financial resources would have to be channeled to reduce 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 care, and the creation of jobs. Indeed, fiscal discipline can be a powerful tool for strengthening our country in many ways; and

            Whereas, Since there are strong 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 at the local and state government levels 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.