Budget Ammendment

[Gabu]

*****This is not the legislation up for vote.  Do not vote on this.  The actual amendment is on the first page.*****

Balanced Budget Amendment

1) The Senate shall have the responsiblity to draft a budget in each Congress.

2) The Budget must be approved by a majority vote of the Senate and then approved by the President.

3) If it fails to gain approval, the Senate shall rewrite the budget until it gains approval.

4) The total overspent on the budget must not exceed 2% of the GDP except in those situations specified by Clause 5.

5) The total overspent on the budget can exceed 2% GDP if: The Atlasian Senate has voted to Declare War, and a situation of war exists. The Atlasian  Senate has voted to approve military action by the President, and such action is ungoing. The real GDP has been in decline for two or more quarters.

*****This is not the legislation up for vote.  Do not vote on this.  The actual amendment is on the first page.*****

I like this, but that part really should be a statute, not an amendment, in case we want to simply change those definitions rather than the whole bill.

How about I introduce the definitions in Clause 5 as a separate piece of legislation in the event that this amendment passes?

That would be fine, hopefully, this will be voted down so it can be rewritten. 

Why does it need to be rewritten?  All we need to do is add that extra bit, and it shouldn't be hardwired into the amendment anyway.

[Jake]

*****This is not the legislation up for vote.  Do not vote on this.  The actual amendment is on the first page.*****

Balanced Budget Amendment

1) The Senate shall have the responsiblity to draft a budget in each Congress.

2) The Budget must be approved by a majority vote of the Senate and then approved by the President.

3) If it fails to gain approval, the Senate shall rewrite the budget until it gains approval.

4) The total overspent on the budget must not exceed 2% of the GDP except in those situations specified by Clause 5.

5) The total overspent on the budget can exceed 2% GDP if: The Atlasian Senate has voted to Declare War, and a situation of war exists. The Atlasian  Senate has voted to approve military action by the President, and such action is ungoing. The real GDP has been in decline for two or more quarters.

*****This is not the legislation up for vote.  Do not vote on this.  The actual amendment is on the first page.*****

I like this, but that part really should be a statute, not an amendment, in case we want to simply change those definitions rather than the whole bill.

How about I introduce the definitions in Clause 5 as a separate piece of legislation in the event that this amendment passes?

That would be fine, hopefully, this will be voted down so it can be rewritten. 

Why does it need to be rewritten?  All we need to do is add that extra bit, and it shouldn't be hardwired into the amendment anyway.

I was under the impression it had to be in it, if not, then press ahead, though I think a monthly budget is extreme and I don't think the president should be writing it.

[Nym90]

Aye.

[12th Doctor]

Aye

[??????????]

Nay

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aye

[Bono]

Nay. Sorry, but the last clause is would be a permanent hazard for taxpayers.

[Gabu]

Aye.

[Jake]

BUMP-4 senators need to vote

[WMS]

Although I think it could be better (bi-monthly, for example)...

Aye.

[Gabu]

Can we get more votes on this?   It needs three votes to pass or four to fail.

[Defarge]

Aye (sorry, midterms)

[Bono]

Aye (sorry, midterms)

Et tu, Defarjus?

[Siege40]

Abstain.

Siege

[Gabu]

Whoops.  Sorry, guys, I missed this one.

With six votes in favor to two against, and with one abstention, this amendment hereby passes, having obtained the necessary two-thirds majority of senators choosing to vote.

I'll go put up the public poll.