Amend HCR 18 as follows:

(1)  On page 1, strike lines 1-3 and substitute:

"WHEREAS, the gravity of federal debt and federal obligations was established early in American history, with deficit occurring only in relation to extraordinary circumstances, such as war; yet for much of the 20th century and into the 21st, the United States has operated on a budget deficit, including the 2010 budget year, which surpassed an astounding $1.3 trillion, an annual deficit that exceeded the entire gross state product of Texas; and"

(2)  On page 2, line 4, between "WHEREAS" and "The" insert:

"The federal debt is greater than $14 trillion, a sum that if shared equally by each person in America would be a burden of over $45,000 per person, and yet the federal government continues to accrue debt; and WHEREAS,"

(3)  On page 1, line 12, between "WHEREAS" and "This" insert:

"Many states have previously requested that Congress propose a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget, but Congress has proven to be unresponsive; and WHEREAS,"

(4)  Strike p. 1, lines 20 through 24, and substitute:

"RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to propose and submit to the states for ratification an amendment to the United States Constitution providing that except in time of war or other national emergency, the total of all federal appropriations for a fiscal year may not exceed the total of all estimated federal revenue for that fiscal year and providing for a spending limitation; and be it further"