Skip to main content
HJRES 2 115th Congress House Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debt Constitution and constitutional amendments Income tax rates Legislative rules and procedure

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

Introduced: January 31, 2017 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
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 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 12, 2018
Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
Apr 12, 2018
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 233 - 184 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3162)
Apr 12, 2018
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3193)
Apr 12, 2018
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Apr 12, 2018
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 811, the House proceeded with 4 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 2.
Apr 12, 2018
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3162-3192)
Jan 11, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Jan 3, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 3, 2017
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Apr 12, 2018 House · vote #138 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Failed 233–184 See who voted →
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 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 unless Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing.

The amendment requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber of Congress to increase the public debt limit. It requires a majority roll vote of each chamber to increase revenue. It also requires the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually.

Congress is authorized to waive these requirements when a declaration of war is in effect or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security.

What's happening now April 12, 2018

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 233 - 184 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3162)

 Related & companion bills 6
  • HJRES 8 Related bill Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for balanced budgets for the Government.
  • HJRES 109 Related bill Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for balanced budgets for the Government.
  • HJRES 1 Related bill Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
  • HJRES 14 Related bill Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
  • HJRES 18 Related bill Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution requiring that each agency and department's funding is justif…
  • HJRES 98 Related bill 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 53
All 53 Republican 31
Garrett, Thomas
· Apr 11, 2018
 R
Higgins, Clay
Louisiana · Apr 11, 2018
 R
Hudson, Richard
North Carolina · Apr 11, 2018
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Apr 10, 2018
Graves, Garret
· Apr 10, 2018
 R
Kustoff, David
Tennessee · Apr 10, 2018
McSally, Martha
· Apr 10, 2018
Young, David
· Apr 10, 2018
Abraham, Ralph
· Apr 9, 2018
 R
Banks, Jim
Indiana · Apr 9, 2018
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Apr 9, 2018
 R
Smith, Adrian
Nebraska · Apr 9, 2018
 R
Buchanan, Vern
Florida · Apr 5, 2018
 R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · Apr 5, 2018
Herrera Beutler, Jaime
· Apr 5, 2018
Jenkins, Evan
· Apr 5, 2018
 R
Smith, Jason
Missouri · Apr 5, 2018
 R
Tenney, Claudia
New York · Apr 5, 2018
WALDEN, GREG
· Apr 5, 2018
 R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Feb 27, 2018
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Feb 2, 2018
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Jan 12, 2018
Poliquin, Bruce
· Jan 8, 2018
 R
Arrington, Jodey C.
Texas · Nov 16, 2017
 R
Mast, Brian J.
Florida · Nov 16, 2017
 R
Guthrie, Brett
Kentucky · Sep 27, 2017
Rokita, Todd
· Sep 27, 2017
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Jul 12, 2017
THORNBERRY, WILLIAM
· Jul 12, 2017
Gianforte, Greg
· Jun 21, 2017
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 23, 2017
 R
Hill, J. French
Arkansas · Mar 23, 2017
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Mar 23, 2017
 R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Mar 8, 2017
Conaway, K.
· Mar 8, 2017
 R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Mar 8, 2017
 R
Smucker, Lloyd
Pennsylvania · Mar 8, 2017
 R
Allen, Rick W.
Georgia · Jan 31, 2017
 R
Amodei, Mark E.
Nevada · Jan 31, 2017
 R
Comer, James
Kentucky · Jan 31, 2017
 R
Emmer, Tom
Minnesota · Jan 31, 2017
Mitchell, Paul
· Jan 31, 2017
Murphy, Tim
· Jan 31, 2017
Rice, Tom
· Jan 31, 2017
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Jan 10, 2017
Bishop, Mike
· Jan 10, 2017
Gowdy, Trey
· Jan 10, 2017
Rooney, Francis
· Jan 10, 2017
 R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · Jan 10, 2017
Sanford, Mark
· Jan 10, 2017
Page 1 of 2 Next
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 2: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-2/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 2: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-2/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 2, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-2/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 2: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HJRES-2/)
Report a problem