FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2012
Contact: Marti Meersman
Phone: (703) 264-1432
Email: deljlemunyon@gmail.com
Resolution Introduced in Virginia House of Delegates
Calling for Federal Balanced Budget Amendment
Virginia would join 19 other states in calling for a drafting convention to propose
28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
(Richmond)—A resolution calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget was introduced today in the Virginia House of Delegates by Del. James M. LeMunyon (R-67 Fairfax/Loudoun) and a bipartisan group of members, including House Speaker William J. Howell. The resolution, H.J. 565, would make Virginia the 20th state to call for a convention of the states to draft and propose such an amendment.
“Federal debt now exceeds $16 trillion and continues to grow,” said LeMunyon on the introduction of the resolution. “The debt is larger than the U.S. economy. It is far more than the current generation of American’s will ever pay. Instead, future generations of Americans will be taxed to pay this debt and accumulated interest. Imposing a tax on them without their consent represents a robbery of future generations to pay government’s bills today.
“The seemingly endless accumulation of federal debt is not sustainable. Our nation risks another financial crisis, more “fiscal cliffs,” and state governments risk having to pay for federal programs that Washington can’t afford to continue,” said LeMunyon.
“The Founders gave states authority to amend the constitution when Congress wouldn’t do the right thing. Congress has had ample opportunity to operate in a fiscally responsible way but hasn’t done so. It’s time for the states to take the lead. If the Founders were with us today, they would be demanding that state legislatures use the authority they provided in Article V to propose a federal balanced budget amendment,” said LeMunyon.
Article V of the Constitution specifies two routes to make amendments: one initiated by Congress and the other initiated by the states. Two-thirds (34) of the states are needed to call a drafting convention of the states. Three-fourths (38) of the states are needed to ratify amendments proposed either by Congress or the states.
A copy of H.J. 565 may be found here. The Virginia General Assembly convenes again in January 2013.
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