Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I thank the gentleman from Virginia.

It is no secret, Mr. Speaker, that Washington has a spending addiction. Congress has demonstrated, regardless of which party is in charge, that the out-of-control spending just does not stop. Each Congress, spending in budget reforms are enacted only to be revised or ignored by the next. Unfortunate as it is, this body has reliably circumvented any real budget process, even its own rules, in order to fulfill its spending addiction. Routine abuses and budget gimmicks, such as ``emergency'' designations, are designed to skirt budget enforcement rules and to disguise the real level of spending. Similar to rampant drug abuse in the 1980s, which led to addiction and violence at epidemic levels, our spending habits have led to a debt crisis that borders on an overdose.

Our country needs urgent help, Mr. Speaker. It's time for intervention.

That's why we're here today to consider H.J. Res. 2, a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Most importantly, the balanced budget amendment will discourage Congress from circumventing its fiscal responsibilities because a constitutional amendment cannot be revised or ignored. This measure is the only way to force the hand of Congress toward fiscal responsibility, ensuring that policymakers just say ``no'' to reckless spending.

Many economists and experts agree that the adoption of such amendment would begin to address this Nation's looming debt crisis and would lay a stronger path to long-term economic growth. The American people overwhelmingly back a balanced budget amendment. That's exactly why H.J. Res. 2 already has the strong support of a majority of my fellow Representatives, including 242 bipartisan cosponsors. Our constituents understand what it means to live within their means, and they expect nothing less from the Federal Government.

No more denial, Mr. Speaker. It is time for this body to come clean. It is time for each Member to decide whether or not this country will continue down a reckless path of debt and despair or if it will quit living beyond its means--cold turkey. It's time to rid this Chamber of its reckless spending addiction. It's time for Congress to just say ``no'' by voting ``yes'' on H.J. Res. 2.

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