DeSantis Urges Kentucky to Join Article V Push for a Balanced-Budget Amendment

Overview

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis testified before three Kentucky House committees in Frankfort in support of HCR45, but the panels did not take action on the resolution Wednesday.
• HCR45 applies under Article V for a state-led convention to propose a federal balanced-budget amendment, which would require requests from 34 states to convene and ratification by 38 states to take effect.
• Supporters cite U.S. Treasury figures placing the national debt at about $38.65 trillion, with DeSantis warning about rising interest costs and long-term burdens on taxpayers.
• Opponents, including Kentucky lawmakers and legal experts, warn a convention could exceed its stated scope despite proposed faithful-delegate rules, and economists have long argued a rigid mandate could worsen recessions.
• Backers such as Loren Enns say mounting state pressure could spur Congress to draft its own amendment to control the final language, as the Article V effort has never resulted in a convention.