Florida resolution calling for convention on U.S. balanced budget amendment clears committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida House resolution seeking to amend the U.S. Constitution passed a committee Tuesday. The amendment would require the federal government to balance the budget each fiscal year.

HCR 703, introduced by Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, passed the House State Affairs Committee after Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns.

“What my concurrent resolution is saying is that our current budget situation in Washington, the current national debt, is unsustainable for future generations,” Sirois said. “We must get this budget and our fiscal house in order.”

Under Article V of U.S. Constitution, a constitutional convention may be called if two-thirds of the states introduce resolutions calling the document to be amended.

Florida previously passed resolutions in 2010 and 2014, according to the bill analysis, related to the same issue of balancing the federal budget.

The reason for the reintroduction was to update the legislation’s wording in order to fit with the 27 other states that have passed similar calls for a convention.

“I see this as one tool to help check the power of the federal government,” said Rep. Danny Alvarez, R-Riverview, during debate.

“This is about making sure that the freedom of our nation is still checked by the power which rests with the people and shall always,” he said.

Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, argued during the committee meeting that there wasn’t a protraction in the resolution to make it null and void if Congress were to take alternative actions instead of its specifically defined purposes.

“Our concurrent resolution only counts for the specific topic of a balanced budget amendment,” Sirois responded. “It is not applicable toward any other count on any other subject.”

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, asked how balancing the budget would fiscally impact Florida and the funding it receives from the federal government.

“The policy decisions that Congress will make in accordance with that balanced budget amendment is their realm,” Sirois said. “That’s their responsibility. That’s their job duties.”

In the staff analysis of the bill, it is made clear that the resolution “does not have an impact” on state or local governments.

Eskamani also asked Sirois if there was a specific place in which the resolution specified that it was only applicable for Congress to use on the single subject of balancing the budget.

“[It’s] specific to Florida’s application to Congress to call a convention for the exclusive purpose of a federal balanced budget requirement,” Sirois said. “Our application to Congress is null and void if Congress attempts to count that application toward any other purpose.”

The bill text specifically states the resolution “may not be aggregated” with any other applications on any other subject calling for a constitutional convention.