Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the below statement following today's House vote on H.J. Res. 2, proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Womack voted in favor of the measure, which, if ratified by the states, would ultimately lead to a constitutional amendment ensuring that Congress not spend more than it receives each year.
"Today, the House failed to come to agreement on a constitutionally-ensured path to return fiscal restraint. With deficits and debt continuing to skyrocket, we simply can no longer avoid making the tough choices -- choices like adopting a balanced budget amendment -- necessary to secure a prosperous nation for generations to come. We must address mandatory spending, the true driver of our fiscal insolvency, and this measure of accountability would have ensured we do. I am extremely discouraged the House today did not acknowledge this fact despite our $21 trillion national debt."