WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today released the following statement on his votes against two proposed amendments to the Constitution mandating balanced budgets:
“As we move to confront the staggering federal deficits that threaten our nation’s long-term economic security, Congress should aggressively pursue responsible, balanced budgets. The McConnell/Hatch balanced budget amendment, however, which I voted against today, was dangerous. It would compel radical and crushing cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on which millions of Americans rely. Congress should not be hamstrung from ensuring all Americans can pay their fair share, nor should Congress be prevented from implementing more responsible entitlement reforms that would avoid the sudden and massive cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that would certainly be caused by this amendment. The McConnell/Hatch amendment was also impractical, threatening to cripple Congress’ ability to govern and preventing Congress from being able to make timely, important budgeting decisions that respond to current economic conditions and national priorities.
“As someone who worked hard to balance five budgets while county executive, I appreciate the value of a balanced-budget requirement and have carefully considered a variety of balanced budget amendment proposals. Although I believe the second proposed balanced budget amendment we voted on today was considerably more constructive than the McConnell/Hatch amendment, it lacked several important safeguards. Chief among them is the creation of a special account — a ‘rainy day fund’ similar to the one in place in several states, including Delaware — that would ensure that a sudden economic downturn would not prevent our government from fulfilling its immediate and still important commitments to the American people. Separating the federal capital budget from the operating budget, as Congressman Carney’s proposed amendment does, is also an important idea worthy of inclusion. It also lacked specific and practical enforcement mechanisms for ensuring responsible implementation, and federal judges ordering Congress to make cuts is not a better solution than Congress responsibly sharing in the sacrifice, as it has shown itself capable of in the past.
“Before we consider amending the Constitution, I urge my colleagues to make every effort to reduce our federal deficits and curb our national debt through deliberate, responsible legislative actions. I believe there is still much more we can and should do to live within our means before we consider amending the Constitution.”
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