Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution requiring that each agency and department’s funding is justified.
Key claim: The joint resolution proposes amending the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget, require detailed agency-level funding justifications, and mandate three-fifths supermajority votes in Congress to permit deficits, raise revenues, or increase the statutory debt limit.
Abstract
(HJRES19 · 118th Congress) This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless (1) Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths vote of each chamber, and (2) total outlays do not exceed a specified percentage of the estimated gross domestic product of the United States. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment requires a three-fifths vote of each chamber of Congress to increase revenue or increase the limit on the debt of the United States. The amendment also requires the President to submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. The President’s budget must also include justifications and specified details regarding funding proposed for departments and agencies. Congress may waive the requirements due to a declaration of war, a military conflict, an event that causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security, or a natural disaster. Latest action (2023-01-12): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Why this matters
The joint resolution proposes amending the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget, require detailed agency-level funding justifications, and mandate three-fifths supermajority votes in Congress to permit deficits, raise revenues, or increase the statutory debt limit.