Four governors joined 28 congressmen and 12 U.S. senators Thursday by signing the Cut, Cap and Balance pledge. The governors are Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Rick Perry of Texas, Sean Parnell of Alaska, and Gary Herbert of Utah.
According to the press release announcing the new signatures, “many more [governors] are expected in the coming days.”
By signing the pledge, lawmakers essentially promise not to vote to raise the debt ceiling unless Congress votes to drastically cut spending, impose a cap on future spending, and approve a balanced budget amendment.
“Ending the fiscal chaos in Washington starts with real reform to the budgeting process,” said Haley in a statement announcing her signature. “Instead of taking the easy way out and raising the debt limit, it’s time for politicians to make the same tough decisions we’re making in South Carolina. Not everyone will be happy, but it’s the right thing to do for the long-term fiscal health of the country.”
“And if Congress passes a balanced budget amendment, I will do everything I can to make sure South Carolina supports ratification,” Haley added. (Romney races ahead of Bachmann, backs ‘Cut, Cap and Balance’)
Eight presidential candidates have also signed the pledge: Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and more recently, Gary Johnson and Thad McCotter. Noticeably absent are Michele Bachmann and Jon Huntsman.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor made news Thursday by saying he would not sign the pledge because it conditions his vote “on what the Democrats may or may not do.”
“I mean, I’m the majority leader, but I really only control one vote, and that’s mine, and I won’t sign a pledge that conditions my vote on someone else’s on the other side,” said Cantor.