UPDATE, August 2, 2011: The House passed the bipartisan debt ceiling deal (S. 365) 269 to 161 on August 1. The Senate passed S. 365 by 74 to 26 just after noon today. President Obama has already signed it into law.

After weeks of intense negotiations and political maneuvering, President Obama and congressional leaders still don't have a debt ceiling increase deal. However, even the supposedly most conservative, most fiscally responsible plan, "Cut, Cap, and Balance," is not acceptable to strict constitutionalists, such as Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and The John Birch Society.

Click on the video of Ron Paul's excellent "Floor Speech on Debt Ceiling, July 19, 2011" at the bottom of this article to learn more.

If you agree that Congress should vote against increasing the debt ceiling and begin taking steps immediately to balance the federal budget by cutting out unconstitutional agencies and programs to reduce federal spending drastically, contact your Representative and Senators and give them this message:

No Debt Ceiling Increase: Balance the Budget Now!