Buchanan introduces balanced-budget bill

As the legislative session started in full swing this week, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan wasted no time in introducing his first bill of the year.

Buchanan, R-Bradenton, has re-introduced his proposal for a Constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget.

“Wasteful spending is threatening our future and will unfairly burden our children and grandchildren with debt that is not their own,” Buchanan said. “A constitutional amendment will force Congress to make the touch choices necessary to balance the budget for taxpayers today and for future generations.”

Buchanan’s bill would balance the budget by 2016 and requires a three-fifths vote for any increases in the debt, that the president submit a balanced budget to Congress and that any legislation to increase revenue must be passed by a true majority in each chamber. Exceptions are allowed in times of military conflicts and natural disasters.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].