House Votes Friday on Two Balanced Budget Amendments

House leadership has told Republican rank-and-file members to expect two balanced budget amendment votes Friday.

One will be a straight BBA with no strings, similar to what passed the House in 1995 as a part of the Contract with America. Back then it got 300 votes with 72 Democrats voting yea.

Eleven of those Democrats are still here including Minority Whip Steny Hoyer and Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn.

The House would also vote on the version of the BBA that was dictated by "Cut, Cap and Balance." This one would require a two-thirds vote to raise taxes.

All Constitutional amendments require approval of two-thirds of both bodies of Congress and adoption by three-quarters of the states.

Getting to two-thirds in the House under these circumstances means they would need about 280+ yeas.