Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Rob Wittman in his Feb. 2 news release “Fighting for you: advocating for a balanced U.S. budget” announced, “Last month, I was honored … by co-sponsoring a joint resolution (H.J. Res.3) proposing a constitutional amendment aimed at relieving the national debt and balancing the federal budget.”

Is it incongruous he would do this, especially at this time? He voted for H.R. 1, the Tax Reform Act of 2017, which reduced taxes creating a big hole in Federal revenues. He voted for H.R. 1625: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which significantly increased government expenses. Why would this same person champion a balance budget, now?

By doing so, he is failing to consider effects on Social Security. According to Paul N. Van der Water, Senior Fellow with Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, “…under the balanced budget amendment the $2.9 trillion trust fund would essentially be unconstitutional for Social Security to use … to pay promised benefits. Ins...