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H.J. Res. 54 114th Congress House

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Introduced: July 31, 2015 See on congress.gov
Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debtConstitution and constitutional amendmentsLegislative rules and procedure
This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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
Jun 1, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
May 18, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 18, 2015
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 1, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total federal expenditures for a year from exceeding the average annual federal revenue collected in the three prior years, adjusted for changes in population and inflation. Expenditures for payment of debt and revenues derived from borrowing are excluded.

Congress may authorize specific expenditures in excess of the limit for up to one year by declaring an emergency with a roll call vote of two-thirds of each chamber.

The requirements take effect in the first year beginning at least 90 days following ratification, except that expenditures are permitted to exceed the limit by specified amounts during each of the first nine years that the requirements are in effect.

 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. 54: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-54/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 54: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-54/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 54, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-54/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 54: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-54/)
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