WASHINGTON, DC – On the first day of Fiscal Year 2010, Senator Roberts today called for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to help rein in government spending at a time when the federal deficit has reached an all time high at $1.38 trillion.

"Just like families and businesses have to set a budget and live within their means," Roberts said, "the federal government should do the same. Faced with critical challenges to our nation’s housing and financial systems, we should address these problems, use taxpayer dollars more wisely, and lead by example with a balanced budget."

Senator Roberts supported a resolution, introduced by Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), to prohibit government spending from exceeding total revenue in a fiscal year.

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance.

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