Bill Details
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View cosponsors (15)
- Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-Georgia-12]
- Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-Ohio-5]
- Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-Montana-1]
- Rep. Hill, J. French [R-Arkansas-2]
- Rep. Estes, Ron [R-Kansas-4]
- Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-Indiana-9]
- Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-Wisconsin-6]
- Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-Kansas-1]
- Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-California-41]
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-Nebraska-2]
- Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-Kentucky-2]
- Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-Minnesota-7]
- Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-Kansas-2]
- Rep. Wied, Tony [R-Wisconsin-8]
- Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-North Carolina-11]
AI Summary This summary was generated by AI from the bill text. AI can get information wrong.
This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the federal government to balance its budget each year unless Congress approves a special exception. In general, total government spending could not be greater than total money received, and the national debt could not be raised without a stronger vote in both chambers of Congress. It also would require the President to submit a balanced budget plan each year and would limit when tax increases can become law. The amendment could be waived during war or certain serious military conflicts, and it would not take effect right away; it would start several years after ratification if enough states approve it.
- Federal spending in a fiscal year could not exceed federal receipts unless three-fifths of the House and Senate approve the extra spending by roll call vote.
- The debt limit could not be increased unless three-fifths of each chamber of Congress approves it by roll call vote.
- The President would have to send Congress a budget each year that does not spend more than it takes in.
- The amendment could be waived for a declared war or for a serious military conflict that threatens national security, but only for the specific amount needed for that year.
Official Summaries
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing.
The amendment requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit. It prohibits a bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless it has been approved by a majority roll call vote of each chamber.
The amendment also requires the President to submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts.
Congress may waive these requirements due to a declaration of war or a military conflict that causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 10 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 10
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Nunn of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Latta, Mr. Zinke, Mr.
Hill of Arkansas, Mr. Estes, Mrs. Houchin, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Mann, Mr.
Calvert, and Mr. Bacon) submitted the following joint resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House
concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States
within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
``Article--
``Section 1. Total outlays for any fiscal year shall not exceed
total receipts for that fiscal year, unless three-fifths of the whole
number of each House of Congress shall provide by law for a specific
excess of outlays over receipts by a rollcall vote.
``Section 2. The limit on the debt of the United States held by the
public shall not be increased, unless three-fifths of the whole number
of each House shall provide by law for such an increase by a rollcall
vote.
``Section 3. Prior to each fiscal year, the President shall
transmit to the Congress a proposed budget for the United States
Government for that fiscal year in which total outlays do not exceed
total receipts.
``Section 4. No bill to increase revenue shall become law unless
approved by a majority of the whole number of each House by a rollcall
vote.
``Section 5. The Congress may waive the provisions of this article
for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. The
provisions of this article may be waived for any fiscal year in which
the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an
imminent and serious military threat to national security and is so
declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole
number of each House, which becomes law. Any such waiver must identify
and be limited to the specific excess or increase for that fiscal year
made necessary by the identified military conflict.
``Section 6. The Congress shall enforce and implement this article
by appropriate legislation, which may rely on estimates of outlays and
receipts.
``Section 7. Total receipts shall include all receipts of the
United States Government except those derived from borrowing. Total
outlays shall include all outlays of the United States Government
except for those for repayment of debt principal.
``Section 8. This article shall take effect beginning with the
fifth fiscal year beginning after its ratification.''.
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