Nine Republican senators introduced a proposed constitutional amendment on Wednesday that would both require a balanced federal budget and make it nearly impossible for the government to maintain even current levels of spending.
The resolution, backed by Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Marcia Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC), would bar the federal government from spending more than it takes in during a given year.
While the proposed amendment would allow Congress to waive the balanced budget rules “for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war against a nation-state is in effect,” it makes no exception for pandemics. Continue reading.