In a dramatic display of just how uncommitted Democratsand Republicans are to restoring fiscal responsibility to the federalgovernment, members from both parties failed to pass a Balanced BudgetAmendment to the U.S. Constitution on Friday. The vote, which was included inlegislation that Congress passed just a few months ago when it voted toincrease the nation’s debt ceiling beyond $ 14 trillion, was opposed by a largegroup of Democrats as well as some Republicans.
“The Democratic and Republican parties reminded Americatoday that they have no problem borrowing from China, spending our tax dollars,and pushing us to over $ 15 trillion in debt,” said David Collison, nationalchairman of the Reform Party. “However, they cannot seem to agree to a basicprinciple: you only spend money that you have.”
Collison took today to remind Congress and the Americanpeople that the premise behind the balanced budget amendment is simple:Congress would be prohibited from spending in any fiscal year that exceeded taxreceipts for that year. Thus, Congress would be unable to add to thedeficit.
Republican opponents said the balanced budget amendmentwould have likely resulted in higher taxes. Democrats objected to the balancedbudget amendment as not easily enforceable.
“It is clear that the American people need some help inCongress to balance the budget,” stressed Collison. “Since the Democrats andRepublicans cannot get the job done, it is time for people to build up theirlocal Reform Party committees and send committed reformers to government.”