The growing federal debt burden already hurts us: inflation, high interest rates, and less economic growth. It threatens stagnation and even a debt crisis. That is why controlling the debt is back on the federal agenda. Members of Congress are increasingly open to better budget practices that support more inclusive, democratic legislating. A central element is a well-crafted balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It would restore norms for fiscal responsibility, and it would catalyze Congress to improve its budget process so it can proactively manage federal activities. A balance rule must be constitutional to keep Congress from ignoring or avoiding it. Yet most BBA proposals have many problems and cannot attract enough support for adoption. A new approach, the Principles-based BBA, has great potential to attract and sustain consensus. It would state a general goal of balance within a decade, leaving the details and mechanisms for statute. Congress could spend for emergencies and offset it later. Such a BBA would push Congress to fix the budget process. Key elements include enforceable statutory targets and a real budget with all spending and revenue. All must be neutral, practical tools for sound governance.