Democrats in Washington recently rejected a basic principle followed by many American families: balancing the budget. I introduced a balanced budget amendment last week, but it didn’t pass. As a backdrop, the national debt has surged to $39 trillion and keeps climbing.
My proposal aimed to enforce a simple rule: the government cannot spend more than it earns.
Instead of making tough choices to align spending with the priorities of American families, Democrats seem content to let things run on autopilot, leading to maxed-out credit cards for the nation.
Ironically, Democrats used to endorse this principle. Yet only one vote supported it last week. This is significant.
Not advocating for balanced budgets isn’t just a policy difference; it’s a refusal to confront a growing crisis. The interest on our national debt is surpassing even our defense spending. By the middle of the century, it’s expected that interest payments could actually double our defense expenditures.
This isn’t merely about making financial records look appealing. There’s no issue with income; the real problem lies in waste. Families across America already get it. They prioritize their mortgages and groceries, cutting back on extras, living within their means.
It’s basic common sense.
As of March 17, the debt exceeded $39 trillion, having inflated by $4.5 trillion in just two years. That breaks down to about $289,000 per household. Interest payments are anticipated to reach $1.4 trillion this year, roughly $7,700 per household. By the time you finish reading this, that number could very well be higher.
This doesn’t even touch on the issues of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Since 2003, the federal government has squandered $3 trillion in improper payments. The situation hasn’t improved much at the state level. For instance, in Minnesota, federal prosecutors stated that over half of the $18 billion in federal funds sent to 14 state programs since 2018 could have been misappropriated. Yes, over half. Billions have disappeared due to fraudulent autisms centers, non-existent housing providers, and shell companies.
It feels as if both the federal and state governments are taking advantage of you.
For years, we’ve acknowledged that government spending has spiraled out of control. But at this juncture, it feels less like an occasional issue and more like it’s by design.
Democrats’ refusal to support the Balanced Budget Amendment clearly indicates they are uninterested in resolving the problem. They seem to prefer continuing to deepen the nation’s debt rather than making the hard calls to align expenditures with the real needs of American families.
This sentiment was evident last week. Democrats opted for more debt, higher inflation, and fiscal disorder. They don’t seem to be concerned about the possibility of national bankruptcy.
But their outright “no” vote was not the only troubling sign. Congress is already aware of the repercussions of fiscal irresponsibility but still, they hesitate to change direction.
During the Biden-Harris administration, trillions have been added to the debt, resulting in the most severe inflation in 40 years. While wages lagged, prices soared. Working mothers struggling to afford groceries felt the pinch. Seniors on fixed incomes felt it too. Families living paycheck to paycheck experienced it firsthand.
This is the tangible cost of ignoring the need for balanced finances.
I proposed a genuine solution. My Balanced Budget Amendment would compel Washington to do what all families inherently do: live within their means, prioritize crucial bills, eliminate unnecessary spending, and avoid borrowing from future generations to cover today’s debts.
This isn’t rocket science. It’s fundamental arithmetic. It reflects common sense. It stands for America First.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of America, the most meaningful gift we can offer the next generation is a government that abides by the same fiscal principles as families, stopping the pretense that this massive debt isn’t critical.
