Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 22 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. C. R. 22--"Applying to the Congress of the United States
to call a convention for the 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."
Whereas, With each passing year this nation becomes more
deeply in debt as its expenditures grossly and repeatedly exceed
available revenues; and
Whereas, Convinced that fiscal irresponsibility at the
federal level, with the inflation which results from this policy,
is the greatest threat which faces our nation, we firmly believe
that constitutional restraint is vital 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 that 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 the
legislatures of three fourths of the several states; therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Congress of the United States is hereby requested
to propose and submit to the states an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States which would require that, in
the absence of a national emergency, a declared war or a vote of
sixty percent of both houses of Congress to the contrary, the
federal budget be balanced each fiscal year within four yearsafter the amendment is ratified by the various states; 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 applications pursuant to Article V, but if Congress
proposes an amendment to the Constitution identical in subject
matter to that contained in this Concurrent Resolution before the
first day of January, 1994, this petition for a Constitutional
Convention shall no longer be of any force or 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 as this application under Article V
of the Constitution of the United States is the exercise of a
fundamental power of the sovereign states under the Constitution
of the United States, it is requested that receipt of this
application by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Congress of the United States be officially noted and duly
entered upon their respective records, and that the full context
of this resolution be published in the official publication of
both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress;and, be it
Further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to
the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the
Secretary of the United States Senate, and to each member of the
West Virginia Congressional Delegation.