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HJRES 23 112th Congress House

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.

Introduced: February 8, 2011 Introduced by: Schweikert, David Republican · Arizona See on congress.gov
Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debtConstitution and constitutional amendmentsIncome tax rates
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 14, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Feb 8, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 8, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 14, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing).

Prohibits outlays from exceeding 18% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the calendar year ending before the beginning of such fiscal year.

Authorizes Congress to provide for suspension of the imposed limitations for any fiscal year for which two-thirds of each chamber shall provide, by a roll call vote, for a specific excess of outlays over receipts or over 18% of the GDP for such calendar year.

Prohibits any bill to levy a new tax or increase the rate of any tax from becoming law unless approved by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber.

Requires a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit.

Grants Members of Congress standing and a cause of action to seek judicial enforcement of this article when authorized to do so by a petition signed by one-third of the Members of either chamber. Prohibits a federal or state court from ordering any increase in revenue to enforce this article.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HJRES 52 Related bill Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.
  • HJRES 54 Related bill Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.
  • SJRES 5 Related bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be…
  • SJRES 23 Related bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 23: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-23/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 23: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-23/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 23, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-23/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 23: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-23/)
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