Hartzler votes to support a Balanced Budget Amendment

American Families have to Balance their Budgets: So Should Congress

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.

An audio clip of Rep. Hartzler speaking about the Balanced Budget Amendment is attached to this release.