Kirk calls for new controls on federal spending

SPRINGFIELD -- Senate candidate Mark Kirk is calling for new measures to limit federal spending, including giving the president the power to veto specific programs.

The Illinois Republican also called Thursday for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget and for demanding a "super-majority" vote before Congress can approve excess spending.

Kirk's call for fiscal discipline comes as Democratic opponent Alexi Giannoulias tries to tie him to the huge deficits run up under President George W. Bush.

Giannoulias says that as a member of Congress, Kirk voted for the Bush budgets that spent money the country didn't have.