Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the United States Government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress.

Tom McClintock

Republican · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX-14)Original· 2025-01-03
• Glenn Grothman (R-WI-6)· 2025-12-01
• Harriet M. Hageman (R-WY)· 2025-12-03

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

2025-01-03

Source: Congress.gov

This proposed constitutional amendment would require Congress to pass a law approved by three-fourths of both the House and Senate before the federal government could increase its total debt, except in cases where a specific purpose is identified. The change would make it much harder for the government to borrow money to fund operations and programs, potentially affecting everything from military spending to Social Security payments. The amendment would need to be approved by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.J. Res. 9 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. J. RES. 9 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the United States Government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 3, 2025 Mr. McClintock (for himself and Mr. Weber of Texas) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the United States Government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress. 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. The United States Government may not increase its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress. ``Section 2. This article shall take effect beginning ten years after its ratification.''. <all>

• HR184Action Versus No Action Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-05-21
• HR2302Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025
  Passed House · 2026-05-20
• HR8454To provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-04-22
• HR8380To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish certain procedures for consideration of annual appropriation bills, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-04-20