Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.
Latest action · Mar 18, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
Progress
Where this resolution reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedJan 9, 2026
- Passed HouseNot reached
- Passed SenateNot reached
- To the PresidentNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
Summary
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.
The requirements take effect in the fifth year beginning after ratification of the amendment.
Recorded votes 1
Newest first. Open one to see how every member voted.
| Roll call | Question | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House 95 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass | Failed211–207 | Mar 18, 2026 |
Cosponsors 2
Members who signed on, in the order they did. Signatures ran from Jan 12, 2026 to Jan 13, 2026.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-GA | Andrew S. Clyde | Jan 12, 2026 | |
| R-OK | Josh Brecheen | Jan 13, 2026 |
Actions 13
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Mar 18, 2026At 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.
- Mar 18, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2583-2584)
- Mar 18, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2560-2568; text: CR H2560-2561)
- Mar 18, 2026DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139
- Mar 18, 2026Failed 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).
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Economics and Public Finance.
Text 2
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- Feb 25, 2026Reported in House
- Jan 9, 2026Introduced in House
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this resolution on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov.
