Freshman Senator Backing a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment
by Lauren Torlone | January 16, 2011
Buoyed by strong Tea Party support during his campaign, freshman Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has arrived in Washington and says he's determined to take significant steps to rectify the staggering U.S. deficit. Lee talked to Fox News on Sunday about his proposed constitutional amendment to balance the budget.
In order to propose such an amendment, several steps would need to be taken. The first option, which Lee says is the path he will choose, is for both houses of Congress to pass a two thirds majority vote. The second option would be a Constitutional Convention, which would also require a two thirds vote from state legislatures. The proposal would then need to be ratified.
When asked about cutting government programs, including those that could be lifelines for Americans, Senator Lee took a strong stance, saying "no program will be held immune from review" and that Congress needs to consider "categorical across the board cuts" regardless of a program's perceived importance.
That'll be a fun one to watch! Fundamentally I agree - why shouldn't the feds have to balance their budget? The rest of us do! But getting that through will be like getting a chicken to pull a freight train.
