Marathon Pundit: Joe Walsh signs pledge to cut, cap and balance the budget

Friday, June 24, 2011

Joe Walsh signs pledge to cut, cap and balance the budget

Joe Walsh at 9/12 Tea Party,
Morton Grove, IL

While Vice President Joe Biden's deficit commission limps on--sans the Republicans who left because the Democrats are proposing tax increases--the GOP continues to call for cuts. As this press release explains, Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) is sounding the call for slashing spending.

Congressman Walsh Signs Pledge to Cut, Cap and Balance the Budget

"I pledge to oppose any debt limit increase that does not include a plan of spending cuts, caps and most importantly a rock-solid balanced budget amendment."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Walsh declared his support for the Cut, Cap, Balance Pledge, which asks Members of Congress to oppose any debt limit increase unless three key provisions are met: cuts in spending, enforceable spending caps, and Congressional passage Congressman Walsh's Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The congressman was joined by 11 House Republicans, nine Republicans Senators, and members of conservative advocacy groups representing thousands of Americans.

Congressman Walsh made the following statement regarding his signing of the pledge:

We have the opportunity of a lifetime before us now. Cut, Cap, and Balance is the single most significant reform package that's come through Congress in decades. America is on an unsustainable path that requires a drastic change of course in the way Washington spends hard-earned taxpayer dollars. This pledge forces Washington to function on a balanced budget, with stringent, enforceable spending cuts that will immediately help to improve our economy and allow for job creation.

I came to Washington with a strong sense of purpose – to lead the fight against Washington's reckless spending. After my first two months in Congress, I knew that the only way to accomplish this would be through a Balanced Budget Amendment, which is why I introduced one back in April which is now included in this pledge. History has shown us that simply passing a budget each year is not enough to force Congress to live within its means; an amendment to the Constitution is the only way to guarantee it.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of the CBO's newly released long-term budget outlook that shows our national debt will soon eclipse the size of our entire economy. It is yet another indication that if change doesn't come and doesn’t come quickly the American economy is doomed to fail. This is why I pledge to oppose any debt limit increase that does not include a plan of spending cuts, caps and most importantly a rock-solid balanced budget amendment.
Congressman Walsh introduced H.J.Res.56, a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution on April 4, as a companion bill the Senate’s Balanced Budget Amendment, S.J.Res.10 in order to help remedy Washington’s spending addiction.