2011.09.19
Goodlatte urges people to speak out on balanced budget amendment
Bob Goodlatte
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, is trying to drum up public support for a proposed constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget.
Here’s how:
Today Congressman Bob Goodlatte, the lead sponsor of two constitutional amendments requiring the federal government balance the budget, issued the following statement encouraging folks to participate in the America Speaking Out initiative to express their opinions on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution by logging onto http://www.americaspeakingout.com/.
“Congress continues to face serious budgetary challenges, which are affecting our nation’s economy and job growth. It’s time we take control of spending instead of letting it control the Congress. In recent years, federal spending has increased at an unsustainable pace, allowing our national debt to spiral out of control. Federal spending must be brought under control, in order to create American jobs and grow our economy.
It will take real institutional reforms, such as passage of a balanced budget amendment, to ensure that Washington’s insatiable appetite for spending is brought under control. A balanced budget amendment would help put an end to deficit spending because Congress would no longer be allowed to spend more than it takes in. When you are preparing a budget for your family or your business, you know that you can’t spend more than you take in. You should expect nothing less from the federal government. Our time is now to pass a balanced budget amendment. Speak out America and let your voice be heard.”
On the first day of the 112th Congress, Congressman Goodlatte introduced H.J. Res. 1, which has the support of over 130 bipartisan Members of Congress. It is a three part balanced budget amendment which would (1) amend the Constitution to require that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts; (2) require that bills to raise revenues pass each House of Congress by a 2/3 majority; and (3) establish an annual spending cap such that total federal spending could not exceed 18% of the economic output of the United States.
Additionally, Congressman Goodlatte introduced H.J. Res. 2 which simply requires that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts. This bipartisan legislation is supported by a majority of the House of Representatives and is the same legislation that passed the House of Representatives in 1995 and fell one vote short in the Senate.
*Note: www.AmericaSpeakingOut.com is an online initiative launched by House Republicans aimed at giving the American people a voice and the power to set the agenda in Congress. Through ASO, Americans can show their support for a balanced budget amendment, which will be voted on in the House this fall. To learn more about the need for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, please visit www.gop.gov/balancethebudget
Jobs, Mr. Goodlatte, not cuts.
Comment by Art Hill — September 19, 2011 @ 6:56 pm
How short sighted is this clown?
Comment by saintbridge — September 19, 2011 @ 9:47 pm
Having sent Mr Goodlatte lengthy emails on the subject of his insane quest
for the BBA which he claims will cure all our ills, I can attest to the fact that he doesn’t really want to hear what you have to say unless it supports this lunacy. He doesn’t get it. He never will. All the Republicans want to do is govern by gimmickry. They must have a long chapter in their playbook on the virtue of single issue campaigns.
All one has to do is look at Allen (build more prisons, end parole)
Gilmore(no car tax) and Goodlatte(the BBA) to confirm that shallow approach to politics. And now we have Griffith (kill the EPA). Dealing with more than one issue is too taxing for their small minds to grasp.
Comment by dave — September 20, 2011 @ 4:54 am
He had me until #2. If the GOP is REALLY serious about a balanced budget amendment they would not include the provision about needing a 2/3 super majority to raise taxes. This isn’t about balancing the budget. It is about codifying low taxes which should be a separate issue.
Comment by wilbert — September 20, 2011 @ 5:17 am
As long as you have Obama and a liberal Senate the economy will be stuck where it is or get worse. The Senate will not pass the Balanced budget as they then would not be able to spend all the tax dollars they want. It should get through Congress as this is the only branch of government keeping this country from falling off the cliff the Liberal Dems have put us in. If the Dems could or would want to get the economy going they could and should vote in a Bobs plan. This is America not Europe. We need jobs and cuts. If the Dems want tax increases then have the Dems declare who they are and increase their taxes and we all get what we want.
Comment by Tripp Godsey — September 20, 2011 @ 8:13 am
Sure I’ll speak out, Bob. I’m against it.
Comment by gdad — September 20, 2011 @ 8:59 am
BBA is a great idea. Been needing it for years!
Comment by Jack Mcguire — September 20, 2011 @ 10:38 am
All this is is grandstanding, and does nothing towards the goal of job creation that they should ALL be working towards. What a waste of time.
Comment by Kristen — September 20, 2011 @ 10:44 am
#1 in his BBA proposal is a mischaracterization. What he appears to be getting at is zero or limited borrowing. As I understand it from last month’s fiasco, we aren’t spending more than we bring in. We’re making debt payments with money we’re bringing in. If there hadn’t been a “deal” we would’ve defaulted – literally, expenses would’ve been more than revenues. The Commonwealth and localities must have a balanced budget, it doesn’t preclude them from borrowing money/selling bonds. #3 does get to the heart of the deficit problem, whether it’s tied to GDP or some other formula. #2 is unconsitutional – so much for strict construction.
Comment by Rick — September 20, 2011 @ 1:15 pm
I’ve published several critiques on the BBA proposal (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=254930011194066) and elsewhere. I’m for less federal spending, and I’m no Keynesnian — however, his proposal is not even a band-aid for a country bleeding to death, but a picture of a band-aid. How comforting. I’ve yet to hear back from Mr Goodlatte on a series of primary debates we have planned. We want one in Roanoke before the end of the year, we have one scheduled on March 13, 2012 at JMU, and the third one was his choice — two formal letters sent in the last month and personal contact with his staff, no response. I’d like everyone’s help in Roanoke to get this man on stage so we can “talk about his Balanced Budget Amendment!” I’m glad he asked!
Comment by Karen Kwiatkowski — September 20, 2011 @ 3:41 pm