Failed in the House on March 18, 2026 · 211 Yea, 207 Nay, 14 Not Voting
Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: H J RES 139 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government
In plain English: This proposal would amend the Constitution to require the federal government to balance its budget, generally limiting spending to the average of the previous three years' income, adjusted for population and inflation. Congress could override this limit with a two-thirds vote or during wartime, and new or increased taxes would also require a two-thirds vote.
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 (…