Washington, D.C. –Today, Congresswoman Kay Granger joined 261 of her House colleagues in voting for a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) to the United States Constitution. Unfortunately, the BBA failed to get the two-thirds majority vote needed for passage.
“Today’s vote was disappointing. This was a chance to force the federal government to start living within its means,” said Granger. “Texans and families across America have to live by a budget every day, and it is unfortunate that some Members of Congress think the government should not have to do the same.”
In August, the President signed the Budget Control Act, which included a requirement that both the House and Senate vote on a BBA to the Constitution by December 31, 2011. In order for the Constitution to be amended, both chambers of Congress would have to pass the amendment with a two-thirds majority, and then the BBA would have to be ratified by the states.
“Even though this Balanced Budget Amendment did not pass today, that doesn’t mean we’ve given up the fight to cut spending. I will continue working with my colleagues to spend less money and get our country’s debt under control.”
The House of Representatives successfully passed a Balanced Budget Amendment in 1995. However, the amendment failed in the Senate by one vote.
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