HJRES139Passed House

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

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Introduced
In Committee
Passed One Chamber
4
Passed Both
5
Signed into Law
Failed — Did not pass vote
119th
Congress
2026-01-09
Introduced
2
Cosponsors
HJRES
Type

Sponsor

Andy Biggs
Andy Biggs
Republican · AZ · Representative
Votes with party: 86.8% (529 recorded votes)

Full profile: /officials/B001302

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

Cosponsors (2)

Members who have signed on to support this bill since introduction. Source: Congress.gov.

Latest Action

The most recent step in the bill's legislative path. Committee Activity below shows referrals and reports; the full action-by-action history including floor proceedings lives at Congress.gov →

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

2026-03-18

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English Summary

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.

Plain-English rewrite of the Congressional Research Service summary published on Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed.

Subjects

Economics and Public Finance
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