The overwhelming majority of Americans support a federal balanced budget amendment to control the perceived out-of-control and reckless spending in Washington that has led to a $31 Trillion national debt.
Can such a measure pass in both chambers of Congress, and get a presidential seal of approval?
The answer is, probably not,
Democrats and some Republicans are pushing to raise the Debt Ceiling.
In an interview with The Floridian, Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan candidly said that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers were to blame the $30 trillion federal deficit that saddles the nation.
“When I got here, I came in with Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, it was 8-9 trillion. So, in the last 20 years, over 20 trillion dollars, “ said Rep. Buchanan before adding, “there is plenty of blame to go around… don’t blame me completely, there is plenty of blame for both parties.”
Rep. Buchanan, a former small business owner, believes that the only way to slash the national debt and keep it at a sustainable level is to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Earlier this year, like clockwork, Buchanan file his annual balanced budget amendment measure, H.J. Res. 2.
Other Republican lawmakers have also filed similar bills in the 118th Congress.
“The only way you fix it is a balanced budget amendment. 46 out of 50 governors have it, they have to deal with it when we had things slow down in 2008, or so or 09. We had less revenue in Florida, we made the adjustments the way you do it in your business, the way you do it in your household, but they don’t do it up here because they can run the credit card up. A lot of it is smoke and mirrors,” said Buchanan. “I think it's immoral what we are doing to the future generation.”
Buchanan also went on to say that he has very little if any, confidence in Democrats or Republicans will deal with it, and it's got to get dealt with.”
"I just don’t have any confidence in Democrats or Republicans will deal with it, and it's got to get dealt with. A lot of people that are 50 are paid into Social Security all their life and they want to have some benefits at the end. All this is at risk. It’s not a question of if, but when it ends badly. You can’t continue to spend money you don’t have,” added Buchanan.
The problem Republicans may see with a balanced budget amendment is that according to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), the proposed amendment would balance the federal budget over a course of 10 years, but in doing so, a 26% cut to veterans, Medicare, Social Security, and defense, is required.
Right now, congressional Democrats are railing against Republicans, particularly Sen. Rick Scott, for proposing a cut to Social Security and Medicare.
