| Dear Friends,
When Arkansans sent me to Washington, they demanded leadership and accountability and for me to be part of the solution to Washington’s top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to spending.
Thursday's vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution – which I have been asking for since I first arrived in 2015 - was just that.
Families and businesses have to live within their means, and the federal government shouldn’t be any different.
In order for a Constitutional Amendment to pass the House, two-thirds of members must vote for it, and Thursday's vote failed by 45 votes.
I am extremely disappointed that the Balanced Budget Amendment failed Thursday, and I remind those who voted against it that nations not in control of their finances cannot control their future – and this is not a legacy we want to leave our children and grandchildren.
Our federal spending is out of control. Our federal government is too large and it tries to do too much. Arkansans are fed up with the government spending more than it takes in. In 1995, when our national debt was $4.9 trillion, the Senate failed, by a single vote, to pass a balanced budget amendment. Now look where we are today. With our nation’s debt reaching $21.3 trillion, our country’s prosperity and security are in jeopardy. Total federal debt grew $8 trillion over the past administration. Without balancing our budget, we’re burdening future generations. Watch my floor speech on the Balanced Budget Amendment here.
I’m convinced that a Balanced Budget Amendment is the tool necessary to build the national consensus that we must put our spending on a long and stable path. All but one of the 50 states abide by some form of a balanced budget amendment, including Arkansas.
Yet, Washington cannot get it’s excessive spending under control.
Each Member in the House needs to have the courage to take vote affirming that Americans want more and deserve better.
I’m fighting for Arkansas families so they won’t have to bear the financial burden of wasteful government spending any longer.
Let’s work together to get our spending priorities back in line with the priorities of everyday Arkansans and Americans.
It is a privilege to share these updates with you. Thank you for taking time to keep up with the work I'm doing on your behalf. If I can be any assistance to you or your family, please reach out to my office at (501) 324-5941 or go to my website at hill.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill |
