Senate panel backs move to forbid deficit budgets

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a proposed constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget except in time of war. It was the first time such a proposal had been approved by a Senate committee. The amendment would forbid deficit spending unless approved by a three-fifths vote of the House and Senate, except during a declared war.

White House acting press secretary Larry Speakes said although President Reagan favors a balanced budget, he would prefer that the deficit be eliminated without mandatory legislatio n.