It’s great to have presidents talking about the need for a balanced budget, but Republicans are backing a plan that will increase borrowing.
by Eric Boehm
Reason.com
In light of one of the more outlandish claims that President Donald Trump made during Tuesday night’s joint address to Congress, an important reminder: There is no plan to balance the budget.
In fact, the budget framework currently making its way through Congress would likely widen the federal government’s budget deficit rather than reduce it.
“In the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24 years: balance the federal budget. We are going to balance it,” the president said midway through his 90-plus minute speech. The line got some of the loudest applause of the night from Republican lawmakers—which might be a small silver lining, as it indicates at least a rhetorical interest in fiscal responsibility.