Congressman Broun Cosponsors Balanced Budget Amendments

Press Release

Congressman Paul Broun, M.D., announced today that he has cosponsored two proposed amendments to the United States Constitution that would require the federal government to maintain a balanced budget. Broun has added his support to H.J. Res 1, offered by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), and to H.J. Res. 7, offered by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO). Both proposed amendments would require the federal government to live within its means by preventing the government from spending more in a fiscal year than it receives in revenue. In addition, both proposals contain provisions making it more difficult for proposed tax increases to become law, and which limit the government's ability to take on debt. Finally, both amendments contain an important exemption which would allow the spending controls included in the amendment to be waived in the event of war or severe threats to national security.

"It is vital to the financial health of our nation that we bring federal spending under control," said Broun. "We can not continue to pass on our obligations to our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, Congress has shown it can not be trusted to control spending absent the safeguard of a balanced budget amendment. The passage of a balanced budget amendment would ensure that Congress had to live within its means. Every family in America understands that tough choices have to be made to keep a family budget balanced. It is not too much to ask that the government play by the same rules required of Americans."

Because these are proposed constitutional amendments, they will require the support of two-thirds of each house and three-quarters of the states to be ratified. H.J. Res 1 currently has 163 cosponsors.

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