Skip to content
Congress·In Committee·about 1 year ago

Congress Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Require a Balanced Federal Budget

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This proposal would change the U.S. Constitution to require that the federal government does not spend more money than it collects in taxes and other income each year.
  • If the government needs to spend more than it has or wants to raise the national debt limit, three-fifths of both the House and Senate (60%) would have to vote 'yes' to allow it.
  • The President would be required to submit a budget to Congress every year where the total spending is equal to or less than the total money coming in.
  • Any new law intended to increase government income, such as raising taxes, would require a majority vote from the full membership of both the House and Senate to pass.
  • These rules could be paused if the United States is at war or facing a serious military threat, but Congress would still have to vote on the specific amount of extra spending needed for the conflict.
  • If this amendment is approved by two-thirds of Congress and three-quarters of the states, the new rules would officially take effect five years after it is finalized.
Economy FinanceTaxes

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 3, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Jan 3, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

1 article
National Constitution Center·about 1 year ago

Newly proposed constitutional amendments face steep challenges

As the 119th Congress began in January 2025, members introduced several high-profile constitutional amendments, including a renewed push for a Balanced Budget Amendment. The proposal faces the high bar of a two-thirds vote in both chambers and ratification by 38 states.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Bill NumberHJRES 10
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(15)
R: 15

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.