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.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-12 | Vote | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 233 - 184 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3162) | House floor actions |
| 2018-04-12 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3193) | House floor actions |
| 2018-04-12 | Floor | At 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. | House floor actions |
| 2018-04-12 | Floor | DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 811, the House proceeded with 4 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 2. | House floor actions |
| 2018-04-12 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3162-3192) | House floor actions |
| 2018-04-12 | Floor | Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution. | House floor actions |
| 2017-01-11 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. | House committee actions |
| 2017-01-03 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | House floor actions |
| 2017-01-03 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |