In an op-ed, Brent Bozell says Congress should pass the balanced budget amendment crafted by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee rather than an alternate version that would require only a simple majority to raise taxes.

The version attached to the House Republicans’ Cut, Cap and Balance bill was sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Orin Hatch (R-Utah). It required a supermajority to use tax increases to balance the nation’s books.

This element is critical. Congress has proven its inability to show spending restraint, especially when there’s a prospect of a tax increase ahead. By raising the bar for passing new taxes through a balanced budget amendment, this dangerous, and irresponsible, option is more difficult to do.

In the back halls of Congress though, there are now whispers that Republicans are considering bringing a “tax increase BBA,” which requires only a simple majority to raise taxes, to the floor. If the GOP goes for a tax increase BBA, not only will they be enabling liberals to make permanent President Barack Obama’s spending binge — highlighted by the failed stimulus and Obamacare — but they will also give vulnerable Democrats political cover to help keep their jobs in November, 2012.

Republicans won’t be so lucky. Many will likely be signing their political death certificates.