Coffman Leads Caucus for Balanced Budget Amendment

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CD6) welcomed new and old members of his Balanced Budget Amendment Caucus on the U.S. Capitol steps Thursday to kick off the group’s efforts in the 112th Congress to develop and champion a measure that would constitutionally mandate a balanced federal budget.

“We have a $14.2 trillion national debt, and a current year deficit estimated to be $1.5 trillion,” said Coffman, chairman of the caucus. “Our nation is headed toward complete financial meltdown and the only solution is to hold Congress’ feet to the fire with a Constitutional Amendment requiring that they, like every family and nearly every state in the country, balance their budget.”

Coffman founded the Balanced Budget Amendment Caucus last year to raise awareness about the necessity and importance of amending the Constitution to require a balanced budget, and to educate other Members on the subject. Caucus membership grew this year to over 60 members.

“It’s encouraging that more and more of my colleagues in Congress recognize the threat of Washington’s reckless, out-of-control spending. I welcome their support in the ongoing effort to get our fiscal house in order,” Coffman said. “We need to make a Balanced Budget amendment a reality.”

The Balance Budget Amendment Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress dedicated to developing and championing a measure that would mandate a balanced federal budget. In 1995, a balanced budget amendment passed the House but failed to meet the two-thirds requirement in the Senate by a single vote.