Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Key claim: A proposed constitutional amendment would require federal revenues and expenditures to be balanced within ten years of ratification, allowing deficits only during emergencies approved by a two-thirds vote of both chambers of Congress.
Abstract
(HJRES80 · 118th Congress) This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that requires federal expenditures and receipts to be balanced, which may occur over more than one year. Under the amendment, expenditures include all federal expenditures except those for payment of debt. Receipts do not include receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment requires Congress to achieve balance within 10 years of the ratification of the amendment. In an emergency situation, two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate may authorize additional expenditures that are not otherwise permitted by the amendment. The additional expenditures must be for a limited time, and debts incurred from the expenditures must be paid as soon as practicable. Latest action (2023-07-13): Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3601)
Why this matters
A proposed constitutional amendment would require federal revenues and expenditures to be balanced within ten years of ratification, allowing deficits only during emergencies approved by a two-thirds vote of both chambers of Congress.