By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia announced in a written statement that he was an original cosponsor of a bill to add a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The bill was introduced on Thursday, the first day of the 113th Congress.
Representative Bachus said in a written statement, “The debate that we just went through on the ‘fiscal cliff” should leave no doubt that the number one priority of the new Congress must be to finally put America’s fiscal house in order. That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Balanced Budget Amendment introduced today by my colleague and good friend, Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Goodlatte. The overspending that we are seeing is unsustainable and is a threat not just to our economy, but our national security.”
Incoming House Judiciary Chairman Robert Goodlatte (R) from Virginia said in a written statement, “My balanced budget amendment is a commonsense measure that requires that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenues, requires the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress, and requires a 3/5 majority vote to increase the debt limit, while also providing an exception in times of national emergencies. A Constitutional amendment will force Congress to eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending and make the decisions necessary to balance the budget and eliminate the federal deficit. Currently, forty-nine out of fifty state governments, including Virginia, have a balanced budget requirement. Last Congress, this version of the balanced budget amendment garnered 261 votes when it came before the House of Representatives, but fell just short of the necessary two-thirds majority vote.”
U.S. Representative Goodlatte continued, “Our first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, warned of the consequences of out-of-control debt when he wrote: ‘To preserve [the] independence [of the people,] we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude.’ A balanced budget amendment to our Constitution will once and for all require Congress to rein in this out-of-control behavior.”
The bill will now be referred to the House Judiciary Committee where Representatives Goodlatte and Bachus both serve.
Rep. Bachus has been selected to serve as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law on the House Judiciary Committee when the 113th Congress convenes in January.
Rep. Bachus said, “It is a great opportunity to be able to chair this subcommittee and I look forward to working with Chairman Goodlatte and the members of the Judiciary Committee on the important issues that will be considered during the upcoming Congress.”
Bachus has returned to active service on the committee after being on leave during his leadership of the House Financial Services Committee. Rep. Bachus just completed a six-year leadership term on the Financial Services Committee where he held the posts of Chairman (2011-2012) and Ranking Member (2007-2010).
Bachus said, “It is an honor to serve as the representative of the people of Alabama in our nation’s capital, and my commitment continues to be to work hard for my constituents and uphold their principles.”
