Ten Iowa groups have signed and sent a letter to members of Congress stating a constitutional balanced-budget amendment would damage the economy.

According to the Iowa Independent, signatories said an amendment is "a recipe for making recessions frequent, longer, and deeper."

Some of the Iowa signatories include Iowa State Education Association, Iowa Policy Project, Iowa Environmental Council, and Child and Family Policy Center.

More than 600 organizations across the nation have signed the letter urging for spending cuts and revenue increases.

Iowa House Republicans also sent a letter to Congress requesting a balanced budget as a means of avoiding economic damage.

Federal lawmakers have until Aug. 2 to raise the national debt ceiling.

— by Katie Heine