Labrador Votes "Yes" on Balanced Budget Amendment

Statement

Today, Congressman Raúl Labrador of Idaho's First Congressional District voted in favor of H. J. Res. 2 - a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Sponsored by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (VA-06), the Balanced Budget Amendment was co-sponsored by 242 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, including Congressman Labrador. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority vote to pass the House.

The bill failed by a vote of 261 to 165, with 257 Republicans and 25 Democrats voting YAY and 4 Republicans and 161 Democrats voting NAY. In response, Congressman Labrador issued the following statement:

"Since becoming a member of Congress in January of this year, I have been an unwavering advocate for a Balanced Budget Amendment. In fact, I sent a letter to my freshman colleagues in the House of Representatives, urging them to stand with me in demanding Congress pass a balanced budget amendment before even considering raising the debt ceiling.

In 1995, 70 Democrats crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the Republicans' balanced budget amendment. Back then, the economy was thriving. Still, elected officials from both sides of the aisle, including now-Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, voted for a balanced budget amendment. Elected officials of both parties knew that this nation's fiscal health was more important than partisan politics.

Since that time, however, it has become evident that Congress can't consistently balance its budget--regardless of the party in power.

As of Wednesday, November 16, 2011, our national debt has surpassed $15 trillion. If spending continues at current rates, our debt will exceed $23 trillion by 2015. Not only is our debt an immoral burden saddled on the backs of our children and grandchildren, but it is also jeopardizing America's security and prosperity for generations to come.

While some members of Congress objected to balancing our budget for political reasons, Idaho families still sit around the table at night wondering how they will make ends meet. In this troubled economy, their families are forced to live on a budget. There's absolutely no excuse for the federal government not to do the same.

That's why I am disappointed that not more of my colleagues chose to stand with those of us who wish to require fiscal discipline for future Congresses in the form of a Balanced Budget Amendment. They have sided against the American public who overwhelmingly support such a measure.

Still, we will not give up hope. Those of us who have fought for fiscal restraint will continue during this Congress and future Congresses to scale back the size and scope of government, and to finally eliminate budgetary deficits once and for all."

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