H.J.Res. 2 · 115th Congress
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
- Stage
- Did not pass
- Sponsor
- Bob Goodlatte
- Introduced
- 2017-01-03
- Latest action
- 2018-04-12 · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 233 - 184 (Roll no. 138).
Summary
Constitutional Amendment
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 three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing.
The amendment requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber of Congress to increase the public debt limit. It requires a majority roll vote of each chamber to increase revenue. It also requires the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually.
Congress is authorized to waive these requirements when a declaration of war is in effect or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security.