April 7, 2011 - Recently Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) announced that he is a member of thebipartisan Balanced Budget Amendment Caucus, a group that formed to fight the culture of overspending in Washington and help restore fiscal responsibility to the federal government by working to achieve a balanced budget and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.
"I have been a longtime supporter of a balanced budget and an amendment to the Constitution that would require the federal government to live within its means," Hall said. "We are currently more than $14 trillion in debt. This debt level is equal to $45,500 per American and $127,500 per taxpayer. Balancing the federal budget must be a top priority. American families and 49 states balance their budgets every year, and it is crucial to America's economic security that the federal government should do the same."
The Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) would prohibit the federal government from exceeding its budget (except for debt repayment) unless Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote from both the House and Senate, authorizes a specific increase.
The Balanced Budget Amendment would also:
require a three-fifths roll call vote from both the House and Senate to increase the public debt limit,
direct the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually, and
prohibit any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of both the House and Senate by roll call vote.
"I will continue to fight on behalf of the American people and work toward balancing the federal budget and cutting spending. My constituents have made clear their expectations of a more frugal Washington, and I will continue to work hard to make sure their voices are heard."
TrackBack URI for this entry
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|