HJRES 17
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
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Bill overview
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the U.S. federal government to balance its budget each year. Specifically, total government spending cannot exceed total revenue unless Congress approves an exception with a two-thirds vote. The President must also submit an annual budget showing that spending doesn't exceed revenue, and the amendment excludes debt principal repayments and borrowing revenue from these calculations. It would also delay the amendment’s full implementation until five years after ratification.
Key provisions
- Federal spending cannot exceed federal revenue annually.
- Congress must approve an exception for spending over revenue with a two-thirds vote.
- The President must submit an annual budget showing spending does not exceed revenue.
- Debt principal repayments and borrowing revenue are excluded from budget calculations.
- The amendment takes effect five years after ratification.
Who is affected
- The United States Federal Government
- Congress
- The President
- Taxpayers
- Citizens of the United States
Notable changes
- Requires a supermajority (two-thirds) vote of Congress for any spending exceptions.
- Mandates an annual budget submission by the President.
- Excludes debt principal and borrowing revenue from budget calculations.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Randy K. Sr. Weber
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. J. RES. 17
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification: