Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.

H.J.Res. 139 . 119th Congress . Economics and Public Finance

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).

We do not publish a plain-language question for this bill yet. The full text and the official summary are below.

Source: Congress.gov

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total federal expenditures for a year from exceeding the average annual federal receipts collected in the three prior years, adjusted for changes in the population of U.S. citizens and inflation. Expenditures for payment of debt and receipts derived from borrowing are excluded. Under the amendment, Congress may authorize specific expenditures in excess of the limit with (1) a roll call vote of two-thirds of each chamber, or (2) a roll call vote for any year in which a declaration of war is in effect. The amendment also prohibits any bill to levy a new tax or increase the rate of any tax from becoming law unless it has been approved by a roll call vote of two-thirds of the whole number of each chamber of Congress. The requirements take effect in the fifth year beginning after ratification of the amendment.

Source: Congress.gov

This bill is too thin to summarize responsibly yet. The full text and the official summary are below.

Source: Congress.gov

The record does not place this bill in a committee yet. Committee unknown is itself a state, not a fabricated value.

Source: Congress.gov

Source: Roll-call records, Congress.gov

Key cosponsors

Source: Congress.gov

Sources