Pass the BBA to Launch Grassroots Education Campaigns in MT, PA, DE, ND, CA, NY, SD, LA, AR, NH, MT and VA

PHOENIX, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pass the Balanced Budget Amendment's National Chairmen, the Hon. Ken Blackwell and Ken Buck, congratulated Senate Republicans for their plan to merge the two BBA bills on Thursday, March 31. This anticipated announcement of the merged BBA was greeted with enthusiasm by Mr. Buck, who stated that, "We are pleased to see the Cornyn-Hatch and Lee-Kyl bills combined, streamlined, strengthened and positioned to move quickly through the Senate. We are committed to seeing a BBA pass this year, and we need more Senators to support a this vital bill. This BBA is what voters are demanding of their elected officials. The new Senate Republican Balanced Budget Amendment Proposal fulfills that demand, and we applaud the Senators for joining forces. Pass the BBA will work tirelessly to remind any fence-sitting Senator that not supporting this bill will be at their peril."

Both Sens. Hatch and Lee are on Pass the BBA's (http://www.passthebba.com/about/our-leaders/) national board, Sen. Lee drafted the language Pass the BBA based its mission on.

Pass the BBA's National Chairman Ken Blackwell will announce Pass the BBA's plan to educate the constituents of select Senators. According to Mr. Blackwell, "There is no issue more critical to our children and the future of our country. We have had enough with Senators who talk a big game about fiscal responsibility in election years, but then fight all efforts to balance the budget. We intend to educate the constituents of a handful of Senators to let them know how their Senator is voting, or avoiding making a commitment to a BBA. At this time, these Senators include: Baucus (D-MT), Casey (D-PA), Coons (D-DE), Dorgan (D-ND), Feinstein (D-CA), Gillibrand (D-NY), Johnson (D-SD), Landrieu (D-LA), Pryor (D-AR), Shaheen (D-NH), Tester (D-MT), Warner (D-VA) and Webb (D-VA). Of course, we will adjust this list as necessary, but we are prepared to initiate our grassroots education program on May 1 with the goal of having a vote by October 1, the first day of the next fiscal year."

Several House Members of Congress have introduced BBA bills, and more are expected to be introduced in the upcoming months.  Pass the BBA has supports efforts that balance the budget through spending cuts, require a supermajority vote in each chamber to raise taxes or increase debt, require the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress, and hold a vote by October 1 2011.

Phoenix-based Pass the BBA has emerged as the leading advocate for a BBA. Pass the BBA is an "outside the Beltway" non-partisan, grassroots movement actively gathering 5,000 to 10,000 voter signatures in all 435 congressional districts demanding fiscal accountability from their leaders. Pass the BBA works with state and local groups to pass BBA resolutions in state legislatures, and is also poised to implement a multi-pronged plan including geo-targeted online advertising, direct mail, social media outreach and radio buys in select districts.

SOURCE Pass the Balanced Budget Amendment