Bills · 119th Congress · Economics and Public Finance

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

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · 3/18/26Suspension of the rulesA fast-track House procedure, usually for measures expected to have broad support. Debate is limited to 40 minutes, no amendments can be offered, and it needs a two-thirds vote of members voting — not a simple majority. A yes vote passes the bill.Rules of the House, Rule XV, clause 1 ↗
Failed
  • Democratic1 Yea · 207 Nay · 6 Not voting
  • Republican209 Yea · 0 Nay · 8 Not voting
  • Independent / Other1 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

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.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Andy Biggs ( Republican · AZ-5)
Cosponsors
2
Introduced
1/9/26
Policy area
Economics and Public Finance
Status
1/9/26Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
1/9/26Introduced in House
2/3/26Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.
2/3/26Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2/25/26Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
2/25/26Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
3/18/26On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
3/18/26Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
3/18/26Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2583-2584)
3/18/26At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
3/18/26DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139
3/18/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2560-2568; text: CR H2560-2561)
3/18/26Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.