Lawmaker seeks to cut pocket Constitution

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- After the U.S. House rejected a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, a Republican proposed printing fewer copies of the Constitution to save money.

Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., proposed a resolution that would call for printing up to 235,500 copies of the "pocket Constitution" most members carry with them or however many $114,849 can buy, whichever is less, The Hill reported Monday.

The resolution that would authorize the 25th edition of the pocket Constitution would mean fewer than half the number of the copies authorized two years ago would be printed. For that edition, Congress authorized up to 551,000 copies, or however many could be provided with $218,379, the Hill said.

Harper's bill would reserve 220,500 copies for House members and 10,000 copies for the Senate.

The House vote Friday was 261-165 for the balanced budget amendment, a majority but short of the 290 votes needed to amend the Constitution.