Ga. senators push for balanced budget amendment

ATLANTA – Georgia’s two senators, both Republicans, are calling for a Constitutional amendment that would require Congress to pass balanced budget.

“The current and projected imbalance between government spending and revenues is unsustainable. Washington has an obligation to say ‘enough is enough,’” U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss said in a statement. “We must stop spending money we don’t have and stop playing politics with America’s future. This legislation will force Congress and the administration to put our nation on a path toward fiscal sustainability.”

All 47 Republicans in the U.S. Senate are co-sponsoring the measure, which U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, originally introduced. According to Isakson, legislatures in 48 states are required to balance their budgets.

“With our national debt skyrocketing past an unprecedented $14 trillion, it is urgent that Washington get its fiscal house in order. These spending habits are unsustainable and jeopardize our credit rating and the financial future of our country,” U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson said in a statement.

“In Georgia, the Legislature is required by law to balance the budget every year—it is not always easy but it forces Georgia’s elected officials to make tough choices and it ensures that Georgia won’t face the problem of massive debt and deficits,” Isakson said. “With our federal budget in such disarray, the only way we can restore fiscal responsibility and sanity is to prohibit Congress from spending money it doesn’t have. A constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget would force Congress and the President to finally just say ‘no.’”