The debate continues over a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The original measure, which was introduced in Congress last year, lost by one vote in the Senate after President Clinton lobbied against it. However, the Republicans gained two seats in the 1996 elections, and they may now have enough votes in the Senate to pass the legislation.

The President softened his opposition to a Constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget in November 1996, saying, "I don't believe that we need it, but if we have it, we ought to be able to implement it in a way that actually works and gives the country what it needs to manage a recession."

The amendment does not actually require a balanced budget; rather, it requires that permission to exceed budgetary expense limits must be approved by three fifths of the total membership of the House and Senate (except in times of war).

Proponents of the amendment argue that we need to impose stricter rules on federal legislators to make responsible fiscal choices. Opponents argue that the amendment might limit government spending unnecessarily in times of economic crisis.