FRANKFORT, Ky. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a direct appeal to Kentucky lawmakers on Wednesday, advocating for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution as a critical step towards addressing the nation’s growing debt. DeSantis argued that without a constitutional requirement, Congress will continue to overspend, potentially leading to economic instability. The push comes as Kentucky considers House Concurrent Resolution 45, which would formally request Congress to initiate the amendment process.
The governor highlighted the dramatic increase in the national debt, stating it has risen from $16 trillion a decade ago to $38 trillion currently. He believes a constitutional amendment is the only viable solution to force fiscal responsibility in Washington. “The reason I am here I don’t think Congress will fix itself,” DeSantis said, according to reporting from WKYT. The effort aims to leverage Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which allows for a convention to propose amendments if two-thirds of states request one.
Kentucky as a Key State in the Amendment Push
Kentucky would become the 29th state to pass a resolution calling for a balanced budget amendment if House Concurrent Resolution 45 is approved. This puts the effort within striking distance of the 34 states needed to trigger a constitutional convention. DeSantis emphasized Kentucky’s potential role, stating, “I think Kentucky would be a great, great candidate to join the movement to prevent Congress from bankrupting this country,” as reported by LEX18. However, the prospect of a constitutional convention has raised concerns among legal experts, who worry it could open the door to broader, potentially disruptive constitutional revisions.
Loren Enns, with the National Campaign for a Balanced Budget Amendment, warned of the risks associated with unchecked government debt. “But if our government gets to the point where we have to default on its debt, admit to the world that we have borrowed so far over its edge, can’t borrow enough to service its debt, what will that do to Wall Street and the global economy?” Enns questioned, as reported by WKYT.
DeSantis and Beshear Exchange Criticism
During his visit, DeSantis also engaged in a public exchange of criticism with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. DeSantis criticized Beshear’s handling of pandemic-era restrictions, specifically referencing the enforcement of restrictions on Easter church services and took issue with Beshear’s policies regarding gender-affirming care. “All I can say is a governor who sends state police to block people from going to church for worshiping on Easter Sunday, and a guy who is obsessed with gender mutilation. If that is the guy who is criticizing me, I wear that as a badge of honor,” DeSantis stated.
Beshear responded by contrasting his leadership style with DeSantis’, emphasizing a more collaborative approach. “When one person is yelling and you respond by yelling, no one can hear anything. I know how we have led in Kentucky. I know in Kentucky we don’t have the same kind of division you notice in Florida,” Beshear said, according to WKYT.
Concerns and Next Steps
Whereas proponents argue a balanced budget amendment is essential for long-term economic stability, concerns remain about the potential for unintended consequences and the scope of a constitutional convention. The Kentucky House Appropriations and Revenue Committee did not take immediate action on House Concurrent Resolution 45 following DeSantis’s address. The resolution remains under consideration, and its fate will likely depend on further debate and political maneuvering within the Kentucky legislature. The outcome in Kentucky could prove pivotal in reaching the threshold needed to initiate a national convention to address the federal budget.
The debate over a balanced budget amendment is likely to continue, with both sides framing the issue as crucial for the future of the American economy. What comes next will depend on the willingness of state legislatures to join the call for a constitutional convention and the ongoing discussion about the potential risks and rewards of such a process.
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