Arizona Director for ABBA, Bill Leggett, had a letter published in USA Today on Feb. 20, 2012. This is his letter:

USA TODAY's editorial described yet another failure of our Congress to meet its fiscal responsibilities. The chairman of the Senate Finance Committe, Max Baucus, was charged with bringing his committee to a compromise over funding for an extension of the cut in the Social Security payroll tax. He failed. Regardless, it's puzzling why Congress would choose to cut the funding of the Social Security system, which plunged into the red a few years ago for the first time in 25 years, a system that will be underfunded in the future.

How is it possible the committee could not find a way to cut the planned spending of $47 trillion over the next 10 years by even $100 billion? Small wonder our national debt is skyrocketing, up now to more than $15 trillion.

Congress needs some external discipline. A balanced budget amendment to the Constitution looks like the surest path.
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The following is an excerpt from Robert Tracinski's editorial Nov. 7, 2010, on what the Republicans should do now that they control the House.

..."BALANCE THE DAMN BUDGET."

"The beauty of this legislative goal is its simplicity. Balancing the budget—not spending more than the government takes in—is one of the most basic responsibilities of a legislature. If they are not competent to make the numbers add up and zero out in their budget, they are not competent to hold office, period."...
Full article link:
http://www.intellectualactivist.com/php-bin/news/showArticle.php?id=1243

CO-SPONSORS OF BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT

The following are the current 221 House of Representative co-sponsors of the balanced budget amendment (HJR 2) sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte from Virginia.

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 2

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 5, 2011

COSPONSORS(221), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)

Rep Adams, Sandy [FL-24] - 2/28/2011
Rep Aderholt, Robert B. [AL-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Akin, W. Todd [MO-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Alexander, Rodney [LA-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] - 2/17/2011
Rep Austria, Steve [OH-7] - 1/19/2011
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Barletta, Lou [PA-11] - 2/18/2011
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Barton, Joe [TX-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bass, Charles F. [NH-2] - 1/26/2011
Rep Benishek, Dan [MI-1] - 2/17/2011
Rep Biggert, Judy [IL-13] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bilbray, Brian P. [CA-50] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] - 1/26/2011
Rep Black, Diane [TN-6] - 2/17/2011
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bonner, Jo [AL-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45] - 1/19/2011
Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] - 1/26/2011
Rep Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [LA-7] - 1/5/2011
Rep Brady, Kevin [TX-8] - 1/5/2011
Rep Brooks, Mo [AL-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Broun, Paul C. [GA-10] - 1/5/2011
Rep Buchanan, Vern [FL-13] - 1/5/2011
Rep Buerkle, Ann Marie [NY-25] - 2/18/2011
Rep Burgess, Michael C. [TX-26] - 1/5/2011
Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] - 1/5/2011
Rep Camp, Dave [MI-4] - 2/10/2011
Rep Campbell, John [CA-48] - 1/5/2011
Rep Canseco, Francisco "Quico" [TX-23] - 2/17/2011
Rep Capito, Shelley Moore [WV-2] - 1/19/2011
Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] - 1/5/2011
Rep Cassidy, Bill [LA-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Chaffetz, Jason [UT-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Coble, Howard [NC-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Coffman, Mike [CO-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Cole, Tom [OK-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Conaway, K. Michael [TX-11] - 1/5/2011
Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] - 1/26/2011
Rep Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [AR-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Crenshaw, Ander [FL-4] - 2/10/2011
Rep Cuellar, Henry [TX-28] - 1/5/2011
Rep Culberson, John Abney [TX-7] - 1/5/2011
Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 2/17/2011
Rep Denham, Jeff [CA-19] - 2/10/2011
Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] - 1/5/2011
Rep DesJarlais, Scott [TN-4] - 1/26/2011
Rep Diaz-Balart, Mario [FL-21] - 1/5/2011
Rep Dold, Robert J. [IL-10] - 4/6/2011
Rep Duffy, Sean P. [WI-7] - 1/12/2011
Rep Duncan, Jeff [SC-3] - 1/19/2011
Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [MO-8] - 1/5/2011
Rep Farenthold, Blake [TX-27] - 1/5/2011
Rep Fincher, Stephen Lee [TN-8] - 1/26/2011
Rep Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [PA-8] - 2/18/2011
Rep Flake, Jeff [AZ-6] - 2/10/2011
Rep Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [TN-3] - 4/6/2011
Rep Fleming, John [LA-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Flores, Bill [TX-17] - 1/5/2011
Rep Forbes, J. Randy [VA-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [NJ-11] - 1/19/2011
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 1/5/2011
Rep Gardner, Cory [CO-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Gibbs, Bob [OH-18] - 1/26/2011
Rep Gibson, Christopher P. [NY-20] - 1/26/2011
Rep Gingrey, Phil [GA-11] - 1/19/2011
Rep Gohmert, Louie [TX-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Gosar, Paul A. [AZ-1] - 2/18/2011
Rep Gowdy, Trey [SC-4] - 1/26/2011
Rep Granger, Kay [TX-12] - 1/5/2011
Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Graves, Tom [GA-9] - 2/10/2011
Rep Griffin, Tim [AR-2] - 1/12/2011
Rep Griffith, H. Morgan [VA-9] - 1/5/2011
Rep Guinta, Frank C. [NH-1] - 2/10/2011
Rep Guthrie, Brett [KY-2] - 2/17/2011
Rep Hall, Ralph M. [TX-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 2/10/2011
Rep Harper, Gregg [MS-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Harris, Andy [MD-1] - 1/19/2011
Rep Hartzler, Vicky [MO-4] - 1/12/2011
Rep Hastings, Doc [WA-4] - 1/19/2011
Rep Heck, Joseph J. [NV-3] - 2/18/2011
Rep Heller, Dean [NV-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Hensarling, Jeb [TX-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Herger, Wally [CA-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Herrera Beutler, Jaime [WA-3] - 1/19/2011
Rep Huizenga, Bill [MI-2] - 1/12/2011
Rep Hultgren, Randy [IL-14] - 1/5/2011
Rep Hunter, Duncan D. [CA-52] - 1/5/2011
Rep Hurt, Robert [VA-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] - 1/5/2011
Rep Jenkins, Lynn [KS-2] - 2/17/2011
Rep Johnson, Sam [TX-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Johnson, Timothy V. [IL-15] - 1/26/2011
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Jordan, Jim [OH-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Kelly, Mike [PA-3] - 3/3/2011
Rep King, Steve [IA-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Kingston, Jack [GA-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 1/19/2011
Rep Labrador, Raul R. [ID-1] - 4/6/2011
Rep Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Lance, Leonard [NJ-7] - 1/5/2011
Rep Landry, Jeffrey M. [LA-3] - 1/19/2011
Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] - 1/19/2011
Rep LaTourette, Steven C. [OH-14] - 2/17/2011
Rep Latta, Robert E. [OH-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Lewis, Jerry [CA-41] - 1/5/2011
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Lucas, Frank D. [OK-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Luetkemeyer, Blaine [MO-9] - 1/5/2011
Rep Lummis, Cynthia M. [WY] - 1/5/2011
Rep Lungren, Daniel E. [CA-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Mack, Connie [FL-14] - 1/5/2011
Rep Manzullo, Donald A. [IL-16] - 1/5/2011
Rep Marchant, Kenny [TX-24] - 1/12/2011
Rep Marino, Tom [PA-10] - 1/5/2011
Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [TX-10] - 1/5/2011
Rep McClintock, Tom [CA-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 1/26/2011
Rep McHenry, Patrick T. [NC-10] - 1/5/2011
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 1/26/2011
Rep McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [CA-25] - 1/5/2011
Rep McKinley, David B. [WV-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Meehan, Patrick [PA-7] - 1/5/2011
Rep Mica, John L. [FL-7] - 1/19/2011
Rep Miller, Candice S. [MI-10] - 1/5/2011
Rep Miller, Gary G. [CA-42] - 1/5/2011
Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Murphy, Tim [PA-18] - 1/5/2011
Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [NC-9] - 1/5/2011
Rep Neugebauer, Randy [TX-19] - 1/5/2011
Rep Noem, Kristi L. [SD] - 3/10/2011
Rep Nugent, Richard [FL-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Nunnelee, Alan [MS-1] - 2/10/2011
Rep Olson, Pete [TX-22] - 1/5/2011
Rep Palazzo, Steven M. [MS-4] - 3/1/2011
Rep Paulsen, Erik [MN-3] - 4/14/2011
Rep Pearce, Stevan [NM-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 1/5/2011
Rep Petri, Thomas E. [WI-6] - 1/19/2011
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 1/5/2011
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 1/5/2011
Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Pompeo, Mike [KS-4] - 1/5/2011
Rep Posey, Bill [FL-15] - 1/5/2011
Rep Price, Tom [GA-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Quayle, Benjamin [AZ-3] - 2/10/2011
Rep Reed, Tom [NY-29] - 1/5/2011
Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT] - 1/5/2011
Rep Reichert, David G. [WA-8] - 1/5/2011
Rep Ribble, Reid J. [WI-8] - 1/5/2011
Rep Rigell, E. Scott [VA-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Rivera, David [FL-25] - 5/10/2011
Rep Roby, Martha [AL-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Roe, David P. [TN-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Rogers, Harold [KY-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] - 2/18/2011
Rep Rokita, Todd [IN-4] - 2/10/2011
Rep Rooney, Thomas J. [FL-16] - 1/12/2011
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] - 1/5/2011
Rep Roskam, Peter J. [IL-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Ross, Dennis [FL-12] - 1/5/2011
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 1/26/2011
Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] - 1/5/2011
Rep Runyan, Jon [NJ-3] - 1/26/2011
Rep Scalise, Steve [LA-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Schilling, Robert T. [IL-17] - 1/5/2011
Rep Schmidt, Jean [OH-2] - 1/26/2011
Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] - 1/5/2011
Rep Scott, Austin [GA-8] - 1/5/2011
Rep Scott, David [GA-13] - 1/26/2011
Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] - 1/5/2011
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] - 1/5/2011
Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9] - 1/5/2011
Rep Simpson, Michael K. [ID-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Smith, Adrian [NE-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] - 2/18/2011
Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] - 1/5/2011
Rep Southerland, Steve [FL-2] - 1/26/2011
Rep Stearns, Cliff [FL-6] - 2/10/2011
Rep Stivers, Steve [OH-15] - 5/10/2011
Rep Stutzman, Marlin A. [IN-3] - 1/26/2011
Rep Sullivan, John [OK-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 2/10/2011
Rep Thompson, Glenn [PA-5] - 1/5/2011
Rep Thornberry, Mac [TX-13] - 2/10/2011
Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. [OH-12] - 2/10/2011
Rep Tipton, Scott [CO-3] - 2/18/2011
Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Upton, Fred [MI-6] - 1/5/2011
Rep Walberg, Tim [MI-7] - 1/12/2011
Rep Walden, Greg [OR-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep West, Allen B. [FL-22] - 1/19/2011
Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [GA-3] - 1/5/2011
Rep Whitfield, Ed [KY-1] - 1/19/2011
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 1/5/2011
Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1] - 1/5/2011
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 1/5/2011
Rep Womack, Steve [AR-3] - 2/10/2011
Rep Yoder, Kevin [KS-3] - 2/10/2011
Rep Young, C.W. Bill [FL-10] - 2/18/2011
Rep Young, Don [AK] - 1/5/2011

Introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary