Heller Calls On Berkley To Oppose Reckless Spending, Support Balanced Budget Amendment

November 16, 2011

Las Vegas, NV – This week the House of Representatives will vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment. Senator Heller today urged Congresswoman Berkley to follow his leadership and support this legislation.

"The Balanced Budget Amendment is a common-sense approach to get America back on sound financial footing. Every mom and dad in Nevada must make difficult spending choices at home. There is no reason why Congress should be exempt from doing the same. Congress should immediately vote to hold itself accountable and pass a Balanced Budget Amendment.

"Unfortunately for Nevadans, for over twelve years in Washington, Congresswoman Berkley has supported the expansion of big government when we simply cannot afford it. Time after time, when given the chance to show the political courage to lead, Congresswoman Berkley has avoided the tough votes for easy sound bites. This week, we will see Congresswoman Berkley’s twelve years of political posturing at its best while the House again tries to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment. Will she continue to support Nancy Pelosi’s agenda or will she follow my lead and vote for the Balanced Budget Amendment that an overwhelming majority of Nevadans support?

"Instead of voting to create jobs and provide businesses with the certainty they need to grow and hire, Congresswoman Berkley has chosen to grow government and dole out taxpayers’ dollars on projects like $2.1 million for grape genetics and $1.7 million for pig odor research in an $800 billion stimulus package that stimulated nothing other than more debt. I ask one simple question, ‘Is it working?’

"The House is voting on the Balanced Budget Amendment this week. Congresswoman Berkley has the opportunity to change course or just continue down her twelve year path of reckless spending that got us into this mess in the first place," said Senator Heller.

Congresswoman Berkley has called the Balanced Budget Amendment a "reckless amendment," (Berkley statement, 7/29/11) a "waste of time" and "of no value." ("Balanced budget amendment likely a nonstarter," Las Vegas Sun, 7/19/11)

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