Rep. Pete Nielsen
Idaho lawmakers are considering joining a movement that would force the federal government to get permission from states before raising the nation’s debt limit.
The Idaho House State Affairs Committee agreed Tuesday to consider a resolution supporting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would give states a voice on efforts to raise federal spending limits.
Rep. Pete Nielsen says identical legislation has emerged in 17 other states. The Mountain Home Republican says the measure has already been adopted in North Dakota and Louisiana.
A showdown over raising the debt ceiling embroiled Congress for months in 2011.
Nielsen says the states have relinquished any role in monitoring escalating federal budgets and spending. He says his resolution would be a step toward giving taxpayers a way to check federal spending authority. (AP)
