U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., might not be running for the U.S. Senate in 2016 but he is starting to assume a larger role in pushing for a balanced budget in Washington.
Buchanan pointed to the financial crisis in Greece this week as an example of what could happen in the U.S. if government spending is not reined in.
“What is happening in Greece today could very well become the fate of America if we do not take serious steps to control spending,” Buchanan said on Thursday. “It’s a wake-up call we should not ignore.”
Buchanan highlighted the rising national debt which has increased from $9 trillion in 2007 to $18 trillion and noted Greece’s debt was spiraling out of control.
“The recent events in Greece are a stark reminder that our national debt is a ticking time bomb threatening every American, young and old,” Buchanan insisted.
Buchanan, who sits on both the House Budget and Ways and Means Committees, doubled down on his support for a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to pass a balanced budget. After being elected to Congress in 2006, Buchanan’s first legislative proposal was the balanced budget amendment.
At the end of last month, Buchanan penned an op-ed that ran on Fox News’ website urging the passage of the amendment. Pointing to a Fox News poll that showed 85 percent of Americans support the amendment, Buchanan insisted the time was ripe to push it.
Last month, Buchanan tried to rally support for the constitutional balanced budget amendment that he is supporting -- and he pointed to Florida as an example of a government that manages with a balanced budget.
“We’re going broke; it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when, unless we change what we’re doing,” Buchanan said. “We need a standard and I think that standard is a constitutional balanced budget amendment -– Florida balances the budget every year, we make the tough choices … It’s immoral what we’re passing on to our kids and grandkids. I have a granddaughter and a grandson on the way and I feel horrible about what’s taking place up here.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
