2.6 Balanced Budget Amendment FAIL

1. What is required for Congress to propose amendments?
 two-thirds majority

2. Why are Democrats against a balanced budget amendment?
Because it would require cuts to social programs

3. If this bill passed the House, would it be sent to the states for ratification?
No it would be sent to the Senate and would require two-thirds majority vote

4. What is the national debt? (NOT how much is it)
The national debt is the money the American government barrows from other countries currently it is 36 cents for every dollar spent

5. Why would programs be at risk during economic downturns if there was an amendment that forced the budget to be balanced?
Programs would be at risk during economic downturns because spending would need to be cut

6. David Drier is the Chairman of the House Rules committee. Why is he so important?
David Sriere is so important as Chariman of the House Rules committee because he schedules all bills for review, sets a limit on debate and decides wheather the bill is open or closed rule on the house floor

7. What important costs mentioned at the end of the article need to be considered when thinking about an amendment forcing a balanced budget?
National security and defence costs need to be considered when thinking about an amendment forcing a balanced budget

8. What type of spending is characteristic of the government in the last 50 years?
federal spending has exceed revenues in any one year putting the country in a spending deficit