Van Hollen Statement on So-Called House "Balanced Budget Amendment'

Statement

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement today on the so-called House "Balanced Budget Amendment," a Trojan Horse to end the Medicare guarantee and to protect special interest tax breaks.

"The Balanced Budget constitutional amendment that passed the House Judiciary Committee today is a Trojan Horse for the Republican budget that ends the Medicare guarantee while protecting tax earmarks for corporate special interests and expanding tax breaks for millionaires. The amendment is designed to make it easier to reduce the deficit by slashing Medicare benefits than by closing tax loopholes for private jets. This is because the proposal would require a supermajority in both houses of Congress to approve spending greater than revenues, and would require a supermajority in both houses to raise revenues. However, at the same time, a simple majority vote is all that would be needed to approve tax cuts such as those that caused much of the current budget deficit. The Republicans should not attempt to impose this plan to end the Medicare guarantee under the guise of a Constitutional amendment. It is disturbing to see those who are sworn to uphold the Constitution working to change it in order to slash Medicare and protect special interest tax breaks"

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