House clarifies motives behind the federal Balanced Budget Amendment

Intro:	The Missouri House backs off an attempt to force a US Constitutional Convention.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Missouri House amended the Balanced Budget Resolution, saying it doesn't intend to call a Constitutional Convention.

Missouri is one of 32 states calling on the federal government to reduce spending and lower the national deficit.

Republican Representative Allen Icet from Wildwood sponsored the amendment and says the federal government needs to be as responsible for balancing its budget just like state governments.

Actuality:	ICET2.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "Our intent is not to ask Congress to convene but rather to go down the other route of changing the constitution and put the question to the state."

It takes 2 more states to pass the resolution before calling a Convention.

From the State Capital, I'm Nick Berry.

Intro:	The Missouri House attempts to reign in federal spending after perfecting the Balanced Budget Resolution.
RunTime:	0:36
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Representatives are attempting to change the US constitution without calling a convention.

Missouri is among 32 states with resolutions pushing Congress to balance its budget.

Democratic Representative Chris Kelly from Columbia says without any regulation, federal spending goes unchecked.

Actuality:	KELLY.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "The federal government, primarily because of its ability to spend, has expanded its power exponentially beyond what the founders intended."

The resolution says Congress could raise the national deficit only during times of economic crisis, natural disasters, or war.

From the State Capital, I'm Nick Berry.

Intro:	The future of the US Constitution is put into question as states fight for a balanced national budget.
RunTime:	0:40
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Missouri's House intends to amend the Constitution without calling a Constitutional Convention.

Representatives filed a resolution saying Congress is responsible for balancing the federal budget just like states.

The resolution's sponsor, Democrat Chris Kelly from Columbia, says a convention could threaten the US Constitution.

Actuality:	KELLY2.WAV
Run Time:	00:08
Description: "Scholars are concerned that if they went to convention for even one simple amendment, that the whole document would be at risk."

Only 2 more state governments need to pass the resolution in order to call a convention.

The last constitutional convention was 1787. . . That was when the US Consitution was ratified.

From the State Capital, I'm Nick Berry.