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HJRES 119 115th Congress House Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debt Constitution and constitutional amendments Legislative rules and procedure

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

Introduced: October 23, 2017 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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
Nov 1, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Oct 23, 2017
Introduced in House
Oct 23, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring federal expenditures and receipts to be balanced, excluding expenditures for payment of debt and receipts derived from borrowing. The requirement may be met over more than one year to accommodate economic conditions.

In emergency situations, two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate may authorize expenditures to exceed receipts for a limited time. Debts from emergency expenditures must be paid as soon as practicable.

Congress may enforce the article with legislation, which must require compliance within 10 years of ratification.

What's happening now November 1, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 10
All 10 Republican 7
Zeldin, Lee
· Apr 11, 2018
Bishop, Mike
· Oct 23, 2017
 R
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy"
Georgia · Oct 23, 2017
 R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Oct 23, 2017
 R
Gosar, Paul A.
Arizona · Oct 23, 2017
 R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Oct 23, 2017
 R
Guthrie, Brett
Kentucky · Oct 23, 2017
 R
Massie, Thomas
Kentucky · Oct 23, 2017
Sanford, Mark
· Oct 23, 2017
 R
Webster, Daniel
Florida · Oct 23, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 119: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-119/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 119: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-119/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 119, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-119/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 119: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-119/)
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