New Hampshire
“[T]his body respectfully petitions the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the specific and exclusive purpose of proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require a balanced federal budget and to make certain exceptions with respect thereto[.]” – New Hampshire HCR 8 (1979)
Representative Application
For each of the 40 States, one representative application has been highlighted. An explanation is provided as to why this application should be aggregated toward the total calling for a convention for proposing amendments. Additional applications from the State, if any, are also included.
New Hampshire HCR 8 (1979) is among the eight States articulate the problem of fiscal responsibility with a phrase nearly identical to “require a balanced federal budget and to make certain exceptions with respect thereto.” There are some slight variations among this language, most notably North Carolina which replaces “and to make certain exceptions with respect thereto” with “in the absence of a national emergency.”
HCR 8 (1979)
A RESOLUTION
concerning the budget of the United States
WHEREAS, with each passing yearn this Nation becomes more deeply in debt as its expenditures grossly and repeatedly exceed available revenues, so that the public debt now exceeds hundreds of billions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, the annual federal budget continually demonstrates an unwillingness or inability of both the Legislative and executive branches of the federal government to curtail spending to conform to available revenues; and
WHEREAS, unified budgets do not reflect actual spending because of the exclusion of special outlays which are not included in the budget non subject to the Legal public debt Limit; and
WHEREAS, knowledgeable planning, fiscal prudence, and plain good sense require that the budget reflect all federal spending and be in balance; and
WHEREAS, the State of New Hampshire has Long been known for its sensible, prudent approach to governmental spending; and
WHEREAS, the New Hampshire example of fiscal responsibility is a model for all to follow; and
WHEREAS, we believe that fiscal irresponsibility at the federal Level, with the inflation which results from this policy, L8 the greatest threat which faces cur Nation, we firmly believe that constitutional restraint is necessary to bring the fiscal discipline needed to restore financial responsibility; and
WHEREAS, under Article V of the Constitution of the United States, amendments to the Federal Constitution may be proposed by the Congress whenever two-thirds of both Houses deem it necessary, or on the application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several states the Congress shall call a constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing amendments which shall be valid to all intents and purposes when ratified by three-fourths of the several states. We believe such action vital; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of New Hampshire, that this body proposes to the Congress of the United States that procedures be instituted in the Congress to propose and submit to the several states an amendment for the Constitution of the United States requiring that the federal budget be balanced in the absence of a national emergency; and be it further
RESOLVED, that, alternatively, this body respectfully petitions the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the specific and exclusive purpose of proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require a balanced federal budget and to make certain exceptions with respect thereto; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this application by this body constitutes a continuing application in accordance with Article V of the Constitution of the United States until at Least two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several states have made similar application pursuant to Article V, but if Congress proposes an amendment to the Constitution identical in subject matter to that contained in this House Concurrent Resolution, then this petition for a Constitutional Convention shall no Longer be of any force on effect; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this application and request be deemed null and void, rescinded, and of no effect in the event that such convention not be Limited to such specific and exclusive purpose; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Body also proposes that the Legislature of each of the several states comprising the United States apply to the Congress requesting the enactment of an appropriate amendment to the Federal Constitution; or requiring the Congress to call a constitutional convention for proposing such an amendment to the Federal Constitution; and be it further
RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Secretary of State and presiding officers of both houses of the Legislatures of each of the several states in the Union, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, and for each member of the New Hampshire named Congressional delegation.
Passed: April 26, 1979
Gorge B. Roberts, Jr.
Speaker of the House
Robert B. Monier
President of the Senate