Angie Craig: “As is pointed out in this letter, congressional passage is just the first step--next, during ratification, in State…”

“As is pointed out in this letter, congressional passage is just the first step--next, during ratification, in State capitols and coffee shops, the American people would begin one of the greatest debates ever, one of the greatest civics lessons ever, on the size and scope of their Federal Government. Mr. President, 70 to 80 percent of Americans are calling on the Congress to pass the BBA and provide them with the opportunity to, once and for all, put our fiscal house in order. It is unconscionable for us to ignore that call. The wisdom of our Founding Fathers is evident in the construction of our Constitution. They reached a delicate balance by creating a document strong enough to ultimately hold the States, with all their competing interests, together, yet with a mechanism allowing the flexibility necessary for future generations to deal with the unforeseen circumstances they knew would develop. The Constitution of the United States vests the ultimate responsibility to approve or disapprove constitutional amendments with the people, as represented by their elected State legislatures. Mr. President, it is time that Congress tap into the wisdom displayed by Idahoans, the Nation's State legislators, and our country's Founding Fathers by passing Senate Joint Resolution 1 and sending the balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to the States for ratification.”