SC GOP House Reps Pass PLAN Budget Bill

On Wednesday, the entire Republican contingent of South Carolina's members of the US House of Representatives voted to pass HR 444, also known as the Require a PLAN Act. The bill passed the House 253-167, but it is expected to die in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority.

HR 444 would mandate that President Obama submit a balanced budget on April 1, 2013. The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 requires that the budget be submitted by the first Monday in February, a deadline that has not been met since 2010.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-2) was one of the co-sponsors of the bill along with Mick Mulvaney (R-5). Wilson issued the following statement:

“The passage of today’s bill is a significant step in the right direction to hold the President accountable for his unsustainable spending. By requiring the President to propose a budget that balances, the American people will begin to restore their faith in Washington and believe that prosperity is possible for our future. Balancing our budget not only protects and preserves entitlement programs for our seniors and future generations; it also provides economic certainty, which will help America’s small businesses create jobs. As a proud cosponsor, it is my hope that the Senate will pass this fiscally responsible bill in a timely manner and send it to the President for his signature.”   

Rep. Tom Rice (R-7) issued the following statement:

“Our national debt has ballooned under this President. It is time for the President to present a plan to pay down the out of control deficit he racked up during his first four years in office. We sent a clear message to the President today: To get our fiscal house in order, we need less rhetoric and more leadership.”

Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.