Jacob Ogles
The Florida House has asked nicely for Congress to balance its budget in place. Now, the body wants a convention on imposing the guardrails on the federal government.
Rep. Tyler Sirois, a Merritt Island Republican, has worked in the past on House memorials asking Congress to stop spending more than they receive each year. But Congress has ignored such statements since at least 2010. Now, Sirois says it’s time to call a constitutional convention for the first time since the nation’s founding to consider putting a balanced budget requirement in the U.S Constitution.
“I have faith and confidence in the constitutional process and our fellow citizens to get this right,” he said.
The House passed his resolution (HCR 703) on an 80-33 vote to petition Congress for such a gathering. If two-thirds of state Legislatures in the country seek such a gathering, Congress must call a convention and allow amendments to be proposed.
Democrats, however, raised concerns about whether this could spur a process with the potential to shake the foundations of democracy. Members voiced concerns a convention could go “off the rails” with delegated considering issues well beyond the call, with some offering amendments.
“What are the consequences? What are the guardrails?” asked House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell. “And what are some of the things that we could do if there is a problem?”
She wanted to stick with tried processes like House memorials, but an amendment seeking those steps were rejected by the Republican-dominated House.
Rep. Bruce Antone, an Orlando Democrat, compared attempting to open up the Constitution for change to the Nazis in Raiders of the Lost Ark bringing their own destruction by opening the Ark of Covenant.
“Everyone was destroyed except for Dr. (Indiana) Jones,” he said. “Why? Because he decided not to look in the box. He decided not to change our Constitution. He knew what was best. Sometimes we need to leave things alone.”
Sirois acknowledged some concerns, but said he fears a runaway federal budget more than the potential for an uncontrolled convention. His legislation says if any convention tries to go beyond the scope of a call, Florida will revoke its support.
“We have to try it because continuing to do nothing … it’s leading us down a path of financial ruin,” Sirois said. “I think it’s dangerous. It also sends a message to our foreign adversaries that we don’t have our act together here at home. So it’s something that, it’s something that I feel very strongly we do need to address for stability today, but also for future generations.”
The House plans to also consider a similar resolution (HCR 693) on establishing term limits for members of Congress.
4 comments
TJC
January 9, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Suddenly we need a constitutional convention to balance the nation’s budget? Pretty lofty ambition for one of the guys who can’t — or won’t — solve the insurance catastrophe right here in Florida.
SteveHC
January 9, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Florida GOO to dictate matters of Federal Constitutional concern? “Ain’t Gonna Happen,” these guys are either truly delusional or think that by pulling this stunt they will be buying more Floridian votes for themselves.
SteveHC
January 9, 2024 at 4:56 pm
– Sorry, Florida GOP.
Tim Marden
January 10, 2024 at 10:30 am
Alachua County republican party chairman and 10 year Newberry Florida City Commissioner here:
I traveled and spoke before the State Affairs committee under public comment Dec 12th against these HCRs. I appreciated Rep. Eskami speaking with me afterward the hearing for a minute. There was very good conversations by the committee for about an hour on these two bills. This committee vote was a party line vote and not unexpected. But I was very concerned about the limited understanding the bill filers (Sirois and Borrero) had. I have followed this topic for 10 years and could tell they were not as versed on the issue as I would have liked. With all due respect, I know they are trying.
Please note 30+ States have entertained calls for a Constitutional Convention for various reasons in the last two years and failed nearly every time! 2 passed and Oregon even repealed their calls for a Constitutional Convention in their 2023 session. States which are both republican and democrat. California passed one to eliminate the Second Amendment. This is not an us versus them issue though. This is a bridge building issues serving both parties.
This issue of federal overreach the BBA and Term Limits tries to arrest does not do the trick. Here are a couple reasons:
1. There is no option to give Congress a conditional call as 693 and 703 try to do.
2. A convention may not send its Amendments to the State Legs for ratification. They can send the potential Amendments to ratifying conventions and by pass the State Leg all together. This is option two in Article V.
3. All proposed BBAs put forward by various groups have an emergency clause in them whereby the budget does not have to balance in times of emergency. What could go wrong?
4. A BBA does not guarantee DC will reduce spending. The budget would balance if they increase taxes also. Look a Florida…. balanced budget but spending still increases each year.
5. Term Limits creates more apathy
6. Term Limits empowers the service staff due to turnover
7. Term Limits does not mean the seats will change form Dem to Rep…they are reflection of the electorate.
I urged Rep Sirois and Borrero to withdraw the HRCs for a BBA and TL. Sadly they did not.
I also wanted to bring attention to a US HRC filed in Congress already which speaks to the Rep Bartleman’s concern for whether a Florida call can be repealed….it can not. She is correct. If you skip down to Section 1.a.2 you will also see despite the “reason” the Convention is called, all bets are off once it is. The text states “for proposing amendments”. The word amendments is plural. It is not limited.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/24/text
Comments are closed.