IRON MOUNTAIN -- Talks are continuing this week between Congress and the White House to try and raise the country's debt ceiling.
Both sides are working on a plan to cut spending, but some Republicans are looking for more of a permanent solution.
First District Republican Representative Dan Benishek supports a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget.
The House will begin debate on the amendment Tuesday, with a vote expected later this week.
"The rate that we're spending, we don't ever balance our budget," said Benishek. "The debt just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I think that's the key issue: not whether we have a short-term technical default, but whether we actually change that debt curve so that we're paying our bills and paying some of the principle as well."
Experts don't expect the amendment to pass due to a lack of support from the democratically-controlled Senate and the White House.
The debt ceiling must be raised by August 2 for the United States to avoid default.
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