Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement regarding the disappointing outcome of today’s vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res 2) in the House. The Amendment failed to garner the 290 votes needed for passage.

“I came to Washington to change the way our government works. A Balanced Budget Amendment would make much-needed structural changes for long-term debt control. Earlier this week, the national debt surpassed $15 trillion. Congress can’t ignore the debt problem any longer.

“While I voted to support the Balanced Budget Amendment, I am disappointed that some of my colleagues in the House did not.  This is not a partisan issue.  Why is the Minority trying to make it so?  Why did Minority Whip Steny Hoyer vote in 1995 for this very same amendment but today flip his position and push his members to oppose it?  Is it because the Obama Administration wants to make it a partisan issue?  

“I’ve seen how effective a Balanced Budget Amendment can be in controlling government spending from my time as Majority Leader in the Virginia House of Delegates.   In fact, it was the Democrats that crafted the balanced budget requirement in Virginia’s Constitution.  It is hard to understand why 161 Democrats today voted against this measure when Democrats in the Virginia legislature know a Balanced Budget Amendment works.  The Balanced Budget Amendment would force us to live within our means.” 

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