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H.J.Res. 26 · 117th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

6 cosponsors · 6 R

6 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year or 18% of the U.S. gross domestic product unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds vote of each chamber.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Feb 18, 2021

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year or 18% of the U.S. gross domestic product unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing.

The amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress to levy a new tax, increase the rate of any tax, or increase the debt limit.

The amendment provides any Member of Congress with standing and a cause of action to seek judicial enforcement of this amendment if authorized by a petition signed by one-third of the Members of either chamber of Congress. Courts are prohibited from ordering any increase in revenue to enforce this amendment.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.

Latest action (Apr 28, 2021): Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Policy area: Economics and Public Finance · Origin: House · Introduced: Feb 18, 2021

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.