Proposing An Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Requiring A Balanced Budget for the Federal Government
Floor Speech
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 139, a straightforward, commonsense balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.
Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have consistently supported solutions to address Washington's top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to spending. For decades, Washington has spent beyond its means, avoided difficult decisions, and relied on borrowing to fund an ever- expanding government. That approach has proven unsustainable, and today the consequences are impossible to ignore.
History has shown that we cannot afford to wait any longer. In 1995, when our national debt was $4.9 trillion, the Senate failed to pass a balanced budget amendment, by a single vote.
The last time this house debated this important measure was in April 2018--just 8 years ago, but that was before a global pandemic, and our debt reached $21 trillion. This measure was critical then and is essential today with our national debt now exceeding $38 trillion, and annual deficits are approaching $2 trillion.
This is not abstract math. Rising debt means higher interest costs, fewer resources available for national priorities, and a growing burden for future generations. Working families, farmers, and small businesses in central Arkansas live within their means. They make responsible choices every day about spending, saving, and prioritizing their needs. The federal government should operate with the same level of discipline.
Yet Washington cannot get its excessive spending under control. Addressing this issue is long overdue. A balanced budget amendment is just one tool to get our fiscal house in order. Its purpose is simple: restore accountability and discipline to a broken budget process. It would require Congress to confront tradeoffs honestly, set clear priorities, and stop treating unlimited borrowing as a substitute for responsible policymaking.
Passing this sends a clear message that Congress is serious about reining in spending and putting our Nation on a sustainable fiscal path. Our Nation must spend within its means.
I will continue to support efforts that restore fiscal discipline, strengthen our economy, and ensure a stronger future for our children and grandchildren.
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