Hartzler: Balanced budget amendment is a must

In her weekly newsletter, Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler says that out-of-control federal spending must stop:

Anyone in Washington who doubts that the people of this country are concerned about our out-of-control spending should spend some time in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District to hear from common sense Missourians. This was an in-district work week for Members of Congress and I enjoyed visiting with dozens of citizens attending town hall forums in Lamar, Greenfield, and Osceola. We discussed Washington’s reckless spending, America’s budget woes, and the future of programs like Medicare and Social Security. People are concerned and it is time to take action. We know how to tighten our belts and make ends meet at home. Washington should, too.


A special topic of interest was the current debate over raising the debt ceiling. Last week, my House colleagues and I resoundingly rejected the President’s controversial request to raise the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion without any spending reductions or reforms to the system. We’ve got to do better. A plan I’m supporting is called the Cut, Cap and Balance proposal for America’s economy. It involves spending cuts to slash the deficit in half next year. To start with – we need immediate spending cuts. Next - We need statutory, enforceable caps that ensure spending does not exceed the average revenue of 18 percent of GDP. Finally, we need a Balanced Budget Amendment so Congress is forced to live within its means. Negotiations are underway between the House, the Senate, and the President. Let us hope they will listen to the American people and agree to reverse the current disastrous course we’re on by enacting true spending reforms. Our children are depending on it.