Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for balanced budgets for the Government.
Key claim: A proposed constitutional amendment would mandate that federal outlays not exceed revenues each fiscal year unless authorized by a two-thirds congressional vote or during declared wars, disasters, or national emergencies.
Abstract
(HJRES6 · 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 Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber. The amendment also requires the President to submit an annual budget in which total outlays for the fiscal year do not exceed total receipts. Congress may waive the requirements for any fiscal year in which (1) a declaration of war is in effect by a roll call vote, or (2) a declaration of a natural disaster or a national emergency is in effect that was declared by a joint resolution that became law after being adopted by a majority of each chamber of Congress. Latest action (2023-01-09): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Why this matters
The proposal would constitutionally constrain the balance between federal spending and revenues, potentially affecting future decisions on taxes and spending without specifying whose tax burden would change. It remains introduced rather than adopted, so it creates no current tax obligation; its supermajority and emergency exceptions are important distinctions when comparing balanced-budget proposals.