New Group Wants Balanced Federal Budget — and Now

Taxpayer advocate Ken Blackwell will be knocking on the 112th Congress’ door soon with his group pushing a widespread campaign to balance the federal budget. Lest the members’ wonder when, the group’s name is Balanced Budget Amendment Now — and it wants a vote by Oct. 1. And Republican U.S. Sen.-elect Mike Lee will be with him, carrying a draft of the proposal as he enters Capitol's hallowed halls.

Blackwell is chairing the Arizona-based group, which aims to enlist 5,000 to 10,000 voters in each congressional district to press members of Congress to back such an amendment.

"We're glad to see the historic change in Congress and in state houses across America,” Blackwell said in announcing the formation of the group Monday. “The people have spoken forcefully, and they reject the profligate spending and massive expansion of government that they see in Washington, D.C. The new Congress will face tremendous pressure as they seek to cut spending, and Balanced Budget Amendment Now will be there to remind them that they weren't elected to trim spending or slow down the rate of growth, but to cut, de-authorize and balance the budget.”

Lee, acting in cooperation with the group to draft language for the amendment, said, "The time has come for Congress to do the right thing and pass a balanced budget amendment. The majority of states in this country balance their budgets every year. Requiring Congress to do the same simply requires self-restraint, fiscal discipline, forethought and a commitment to follow both the roles and restraints outlined in the Constitution."

Blackwell, who has a long track record in public service and now co-chairs the Republican National Committee’s Redistricting Committee and is vice chairman of its platform committee, said the new group aims to achieve a vote by Oct. 1, the first day of the next fiscal year. “Only by the active participation of 'We the People' can we force Congress and the President to act, before it's too late to avoid an economic collapse," said Blackwell, who is on the board of directors of the Club for Growth, the National Taxpayers Union, and the National Rifle Association.

Sen.-elect Lee said, "This is the type of dialogue and discussion Congress and our citizens need to engage in at this critical time in our nation's history. A balanced budget amendment is an important first step to reclaiming our future."