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HJRES 56 112th Congress House Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debt Budget process Constitution and constitutional amendments Income tax rates Legislative rules and procedure

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.

Introduced: November 4, 2011 See on congress.gov
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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
Jul 11, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Apr 7, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 7, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts.

Prohibits total outlays for any fiscal year from exceeding 18% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the preceding calendar year unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess over such 18%.

Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually.

Prohibits any bill from becoming law that imposes a new tax or increases the statutory rate of any tax or the aggregate amount of revenue, unless approved by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber.

Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber to increase the federal debt limit.

Authorizes waivers of these requirements: (1) when a declaration of war is in effect against a nation-state and Congress, by a majority roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess; or (2) under other specified circumstances involving military conflict, if Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes such waiver.

Prohibits a federal or state court from ordering any increase in revenue to enforce this article.

What's happening now July 11, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HJRES 54 Related bill Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.
  • SJRES 3 Related bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.
  • SJRES 23 Identical bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.
  • SJRES 10 Identical bill Joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 37
All 37 Republican 16
R
Amodei, Mark E.
Nevada · Nov 4, 2011
Ross, Dennis
· Nov 4, 2011
 R
Lankford, James
Oklahoma · Jul 7, 2011
 R
Lummis, Cynthia M.
Wyoming · Jul 7, 2011
 R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · Jun 3, 2011
GOODLATTE, ROBERT
· May 26, 2011
Jenkins, Lynn
· May 23, 2011
 R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · May 12, 2011
 R
Jordan, Jim
Ohio · May 12, 2011
Gowdy, Trey
· May 11, 2011
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · May 11, 2011
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · May 4, 2011
Amash, Justin
· May 3, 2011
Rokita, Todd
· May 2, 2011
 R
Scalise, Steve
Louisiana · May 2, 2011
AKIN, W.
· Apr 15, 2011
Farenthold, Blake
· Apr 15, 2011
Hensarling, Jeb
· Apr 15, 2011
Conaway, K.
· Apr 14, 2011
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Apr 14, 2011
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Apr 13, 2011
Campbell, John
· Apr 13, 2011
 R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Apr 13, 2011
Graves, Tom
· Apr 13, 2011
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Apr 13, 2011
PENCE, MIKE
· Apr 13, 2011
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Apr 13, 2011
Bishop, Rob
· Apr 7, 2011
 R
Buchanan, Vern
Florida · Apr 7, 2011
Chaffetz, Jason
· Apr 7, 2011
Franks, Trent
· Apr 7, 2011
Labrador, Raul
· Apr 7, 2011
Lance, Leonard
· Apr 7, 2011
Marino, Tom
· Apr 7, 2011
REHBERG, DENNY
· Apr 7, 2011
Rodgers, Cathy
· Apr 7, 2011
 R
Stutzman, Marlin A.
Indiana · Apr 7, 2011
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 56: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-56/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 56: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-56/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 56, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-56/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 56: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HJRES-56/)
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