Florida Senate passes resolutions in support of balanced federal budget, term limits, others

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate adopted resolutions on Thursday calling for an Article V convention to balance the federal budget and institute congressional term limits.

Resolutions urging the condemnation of the growing partnership between communist countries such as as China and Cuba, as well as urging the federal government to combat drug cartels at the U.S.-Mexico border, also passed the chamber.

The balanced budget resolution, HCR 703, and the term limits resolution, HCR 693, were both immediately adopted upon substitution from their Senate counterparts.

Article V of the U.S Constitution states how a convention may be established if two-thirds of the state legislatures have called for one to take place.

“Term limits and balanced budget requirements have worked quite well here in Florida, and help our state guard against the rampant corruption, abuses of power, and overspending we see in Washington,” Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said in a press release.

“Our founding fathers envisioned elected officials as short-term public servants, not lifelong bureaucrats,” she said. “With these initiatives, Florida is sending a strong message that the federal government must be accountable to the people.”

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, said that Washington “desperately needs an infusion of fresh ideas and new perspectives.”

“Congress has become a lifeless shell of what the founders intended – Instead of working for the interests of hard-working Americans, Congress is cowing to special interests and working to advance their own career aspirations,” he said.

“By passing Congressional term limits we will provide for much needed accountability and put an end to career politicians in Washington,” Ingoglia added.

Both resolution relating to the China-Cuba condemnation HM 351, and the urge to combat drug cartels, SM 1020, were also immediately adopted upon passage.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his support for the calls for term limits and a balanced federal budget this week.