WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today voted for a Balanced Budget Amendment, but the measure was defeated 47-53.  No Democrat supported the amendment.

“The federal government continues to borrow 43 cents for every dollar it spends, which is unsustainable and dangerous,” said Wicker.  “Further cuts to spending are necessary, but permanent changes are needed to prevent this level of debt in the future.  I will continue to press for reforms to balance the federal budget.”

The Balanced Budget Amendment would require Congress to pass a balanced budget each year, cap federal spending at 18 percent of gross domestic product, and require a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate to raise taxes.  A majority of U.S. states, including Mississippi, have balanced budget requirements.

The Democrat-controlled Senate has not offered a budget proposal for nearly 1,000 days.

Wicker recently wrote this piece supporting a Balanced Budget Amendment.

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