Griffin: I'm "Incredibly Disappointed' In Today's Vote Result

Statement

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after the House failed to pass the Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) resolution (H.J. Res. 2) earlier today:

"Congress has tried governing without a Balanced Budget Amendment. The result: Our country is now $15 trillion in debt. Sixteen years ago, Congress almost passed it, and in the House, it received support from 72 Democrats, including two of the top three Members of their current leadership team. That is why I was incredibly disappointed that the Democrat leadership chose to play politics and actively worked to defeat the Balanced Budget Amendment. Even more alarming, some of my Democrat colleagues even applauded when it was defeated."

Today's vote in the House required a two-thirds majority in order to pass the resolution. The BBA would require the federal government to balance its budget on an annual basis, require a three-fifths vote of each chamber to increase the debt limit in the future, and prohibit any tax increase from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each chamber. It also allows waivers to these limits when a declaration of war is in effect or under other circumstances involving military conflict.

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