H.J.Res.41 Proposing A Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Hi friends. With an $18 trillion national debt that continues to grow, we can't afford to wait any longer to get our fiscal house in order. Too often, politicians on both sides of the aisle refuse to make tough decisions and continue to kick the can down the road. If we don't act now, our children and grandchildren will be the ones forced to pay the price. I was elected to do more than just talk about problems. I was sent to Washington to help solve them. It's time to tackle our out-of-control spending head-on. And that's why I'm proud to announce that I have introduced my own Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution to ensure that the federal government lives within its means. This bill will force Washington to stop the endless cycle of spending and borrowing and taxing. Specifically, this legislation requires that each year, total spending not exceed total revenue. It also caps federal spending at 18% of the gross domestic product, the historical average since World War II. It also institutes a no-balance budget, no-pay rule for members of Congress. And lastly, it forces the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress each year, something our current President has never come even close to accomplishing. Our first Secretary of State and third President, Thomas Jefferson, famously said, to preserve the independence of the people, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. I couldn't agree more. Recently, Admiral Mike Mullen, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that our skyrocketing debt represents one of the greatest threats to our national security. The time is now to act to ensure that future generations are given a fair shot at the American Dream. It's an honor to be your representative, and you can count on me to continue fighting for the conservative values needed to put our country on a better path. If you would like to find out more details about my balanced budget amendment, please visit my website at ratcliffe.house.gov. God bless you all, and God bless America.