Utah U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch blasted President Obama in the weekly GOP address, calling for a balanced budget amendment in exchange for supporting an increase in the debt ceiling.
“Instead of sending that amendment to the states for ratification, and addressing the need for fiscal balance, 14 years later, our nation faces a debt crisis of epic proportions,” Mr. Hatch said. “Our national debt has gone from roughly $5 trillion in 1997 to over $14 trillion today.”
The Utah Republican, who has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration’s handling of the debt talks, said congressional Republicans should limit Washington’s ability to spending, warning revenue increases are unacceptable.
The Utah Republican echoed calls for passage of a balanced budget amendment, joining South Carolina U.S. Senator Jim DeMint and Kentucky U.S. Senator Rand Paul, both of whom have said they support the proposal.
“A Balanced Budget Amendment makes sense; its time has more than come. Now Congress must act,” Mr. Hatch said.
The call for a balanced budget amendment comes as Republican lawmakers continue to craft a proposal aimed at increasing the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt limit. President Obama issued an ultimatum to congressional lawmakers Friday, calling for a deal by Sunday.
Mr. Obama reiterated his message Saturday, saying lawmakers in both parties share the blame, calling for a bipartisan solution.
“For a decade, America has been spending more money than we’ve taken in” while the national debt continued to rise, Mr. Obama said. “Neither party in this town is blameless.”
