Citing a federal debt exceeding $20 trillion dollars, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) today voted in favor of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution that would require Congress to refrain from spending more than it receives in revenue. The measure would also require a three-fifths supermajority in the House and Senate to raise the debt limit. The amendment, which received a majority of votes in the House, failed to garner the two-thirds vote necessary under rules to advance to the Senate.
“In 1995, the national debt was $4.9 trillion, and the Senate failed to pass a balanced budget amendment by as single vote. Today the debt is over $20 trillion. It is clear that we need a constitutional requirement to keep our financial house in order,” said Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, who also supported a balanced budget amendment in 2011. “American families have to balance their budgets, and they face serious repercussions for out of control debt. The same should apply to Congress,” added Hartzler.
“The debt is out of control and we must make some difficult decisions in Congress to rein in spending,” said Hartzler. “This Balanced Budget Amendment would compel current and future elected officials to make the tough choices needed to get our priorities right, while providing for the common defense and living within our means. It is clear that Washington won’t balance the budget unless it is forced to do so. So, let’s force fiscal discipline with a Balanced Budget Amendment,” added Hartzler.
So you cut taxes for the rich and corporations. Now you will add a gasoline tax. Next up will be targeting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to pay for a wall. Cut education funding some more. Hey, here's an idea. According to that genius Mulvaney, the Meals on Wheels program is of no benefit so you can cut that. Your buddy Graves is wanting to introduce a "mileage" tax. Add that too. You can provide a loophole for your rich owners and corporations to keep them from having to pay it. Oh, here's another idea. Since you decided to gut regulations to keep corporations from destroying land, air and water you can make the middle and lower class pay taxes on the cost of cleaning it up. Of course you wouldn't actually clean anything, but just charge tax on what it would cost. Very similar to how the taxpayers are stuck paying congress for a job where they don't actually do anything.
ReplyDelete"Citing a federal debt exceeding $20 trillion dollars" ... Hey, the CBO warned congress BEFORE the obscene tax reform bill was rammed through! Now that the big donors got their cuts and regulations are being removed, it's time to talk about being fiscally responsible? This group of "leaders" have already shown their hand: 40 are taking their spoils and heading for the door. Folks will remember who caused this chaos, how it was accomplished, and why it was done.
ReplyDeleteAmerican families DO NOT balance their budgets. Please stop this sorry plea. Most live way beyond their means and carry large credit card debt. Half of Americans do not own stocks and have little saved for retirement. I am sure SW Mo is no different, in fact worse off because of the low pay. But, come November they will pull the straight R lever because the fear mongering that their guns will be taken away. They didn't make a sound when Trump said he would take guns and worry about seizure laws later. Being poor with an AR 15 will not get you very far.
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