Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-04) today introduced a bill that seeks to balance the federal budget via an amendment to the U.S. Constitution and confront the debt crisis that threatens the economic security of every American.

Forty-nine states currently are required annually to balance their budgets. To secure passage of a constitutional amendment, a bill must pass the U.S. House and U.S. Senate by a two-thirds vote. Then, three-fourths of all state legislatures must ratify the amendment.

“Hard-working people and businesses throughout Central Pennsylvania know what it’s like to live on a budget,” said Rep. Perry. “They have to make tough decisions to live within their means every day and Washington should have to do the same. We need to stop spending money we don’t have.”

The federal government has run up an unsustainable debt of nearly $20 trillion. Interest payments alone on this debt are expected to hit $255 billion this year, $498 billion by 2020, and a whopping $830 billion by 2026. If we keep ignoring our debt crisis out of political expediency, Social Security, Medicare and other vital programs simply will go bankrupt.

Rep. Perry will ensure that these reforms aren't made on the backs of taxpayers by requiring a three-fifths vote in the House and Senate to raise tax revenue.  His legislation contains a provision that eventually would bring federal spending to its lowest level in about 60 years. This legislation also places additional pressure on agencies to justify their funding and find waste in their departments. Rep. Perry will be introducing additional bills in the coming weeks to address our spending and debt crisis.