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This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the federal government to balance its budget each year. In general, it would stop total government spending from being greater than total money coming in, unless a large supermajority in Congress votes to allow extra spending for that year. It would also require the President to send Congress a budget each year that does not spend more than the government expects to receive. If approved by Congress and then ratified by enough states, the amendment would take effect after a delay of several years.
- Federal spending in any fiscal year could not be greater than federal receipts unless two-thirds of both the House and Senate approve the extra spending by roll call vote.
- The President would have to send Congress a proposed budget before each fiscal year that is already balanced.
- Congress would be responsible for passing laws to carry out and enforce the amendment, and it could use estimates of spending and revenue.
- The amendment would count most federal income as receipts, but not money from borrowing, and it would count most federal spending as outlays, except for repayment of the principal on debt.
- If ratified, the change would start with the fifth fiscal year after ratification, and it would need approval from three-fourths of the states within seven years.
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 two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing.
The amendment also requires the President to submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 17 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 17
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 13, 2025
Mr. Obernolte (for himself and Mr. Weber of Texas) 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 two-thirds 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. 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 3. The Congress shall enforce and implement this article
by appropriate legislation, which may rely on estimates of outlays and
receipts.
``Section 4. 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 5. This article shall take effect beginning with the
fifth fiscal year beginning after its ratification.''.
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