September 13, 2011

Jeb Hensarling

WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) issued the following statement today encouraging Americans to use the America Speaking Out (ASO) initiative to express their opinion about a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution. 

“America Speaking Out is about listening closer to the American people at a time when our spending-driven debt crisis is threatening our nation’s jobs, our national security, and our children’s future. The only permanent solution to ending Washington’s job-killing spending spree once and for all is to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. 

“Every American family and business is expected to live and operate within its means. 49 out of 50 states have adopted some version of a balanced budget provision. There’s no good reason why the same rule shouldn’t apply to the federal government. It is time stop spending money we don’t have. It is time to stop borrowing 42 cents on the dollar, much of it from the Chinese, and then sending the bill to our children and grandchildren. 

“Part of the reason House Republicans are more confident than ever about the cause for a balanced budget amendment is because the American people are more intensely concerned about our nation’s fiscal future than ever before.  There is now a serious public demand for fiscal accountability the likes of which we’ve never seen.  The American people have said enough is enough, and we fully agree. 

“The time for a balanced budget amendment is now. The American people are already on our side. House Republicans are ready to make history and show the people that their government will not abandon its responsibility at this crucial time in our history.”

Note: America Speaking Out is an online community launched by House Republicans aimed at giving the American people a voice and the power to set the agenda in Congress. To learn more, visit www.americaspeakingout.com. Through ASO, Americans can express their opinion about the BBA, which will be voted on in the House this fall. To learn more about the need for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, please visit www.gop.gov/balancethebudget.

###