Call Congress Now!The Budget Control Act (PL 112-25) passed this summer created the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction to cut the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next decade.  Another key provision mandated that Congress vote on a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the constitution before December 31, 2011. Many economists oppose a BBA because it would result in a deeper and prolonged recession.This week, the House of Representatives will take up (H.J. Res 2), a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the constitution. Sponsored by Representative Robert Goodlatte (R-VA), H.J. Res 2 would require Congress to balance its budget every year without regard to emergencies such as floods or recessions. The bill would also require a three-fifths vote to increase the federal debt ceiling, meaning the government could not pay its bills unless three-fifths of each chamber of Congress voted in favor of the government doing so.Call your Representative and urge them to vote no on H.J. Res 2!Action:Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative. To find your Representative’s name, please click here.Message:"My name is _________ and I am a constituent. I urge the Representative to vote no on (H.J.Res 2), the balanced budget amendment.Congress should reject balanced budget amendments. BBAs threaten the economy, increase unemployment, and would force huge cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, unemployment insurance and many other programs that assist women, children and families. Thank you."Learn More:Center for Budget and Policy Priorities' Analysis on the BBA and their report: Program Cuts Under a Balanced Budget Amendment: How Severe Might They Be?