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HJRES 8 114th Congress House

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the…

Official title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the legislatures of the several States.

Introduced: January 6, 2015 Introduced by: Schweikert, David Republican · Arizona See on congress.gov
Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debtConstitution and constitutional amendmentsIncome tax ratesLegislative rules and procedure
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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
Jan 12, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Jan 6, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 6, 2015
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 12, 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 outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year or 18% of the U.S. gross domestic product unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing.

The amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress to levy a new tax, increase the rate of any tax, or increase the debt limit. Approval by a majority of the state legislatures is required to increase the federal debt.

The amendment provides any Member of Congress with standing and a cause of action to seek judicial enforcement of this amendment if authorized by a petition signed by one-third of the Members of either house of Congress. Courts are prohibited from ordering any increase in revenue to enforce this amendment.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HJRES 85 Related bill Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.
  • SJRES 2 Related bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be…
 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. 8: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the legislatures of the several States.. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-8/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 8: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the legislatures of the several States.." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-8/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 8, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-8/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 8: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the legislatures of the several States.](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HJRES-8/)
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