Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida addressed the national debt crisis on June 4, 2026, emphasizing the need for a bipartisan solution. He proposed a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution as a means to address the $39 trillion national debt, which he warned could lead to significant economic repercussions by 2028.
DeSantis spoke at an event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute, highlighting that bipartisan support from Democrats will be essential for the amendment's success. He noted that the issue of national debt should not be viewed through a partisan lens, stating, "This is really not about Left, Right, Republican, Democrat."
The amendment process requires approval from 33 states to initiate a constitutional convention, followed by a two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the states. Currently, 28 states have passed measures in support of the balanced-budget amendment.
Panelists at the event discussed the challenges of raising public awareness about the national debt, with former Ohio Governor John Kasich suggesting a "Trump amendment" to leverage former President Trump's influence in garnering support.
DeSantis expressed optimism that targeted political spending could influence state lawmakers, emphasizing the importance of public engagement in advocating for the amendment. He warned that failure to address the national debt could negatively impact federal entitlement programs, including Social Security and Medicare.