Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Risch issued the following statement today after voting in support of a constitutional amendment that would require Congress to operate under a balanced budget.

"Since I came to Washington, Congress has borrowed between $4 and $5 billion every day.  This reckless spending must stop.  A balanced budget amendment would require Congress to do what it has repeatedly tried and failed—to rein in rampant overspending.  It is the only collar that will control Congress since it has no self control.  I will continue to advocate for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution like almost every state already has."

The Republican-sponsored bill failed on a straight party-line vote of 47-53.  An alternative plan put forth by Democrats, which would also raise taxes, failed by a 21-79 margin with less than half the Democrats voting for their own proposal.

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