Skip to main content
HJRES 13 117th Congress House Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debt Budget process Constitution and constitutional amendments Executive agency funding and structure Income tax rates Legislative rules and procedure

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution requiring that each agency and department's funding is justified.

Introduced: January 4, 2021 Introduced by: Perry, Scott Republican · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 4, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Jan 4, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 4, 2021
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless (1) Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths vote of each chamber, and (2) total outlays do not exceed a specified percentage of the estimated gross domestic product of the United States. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing.

The amendment requires a three-fifths vote of each chamber of Congress to increase revenue or increase the limit on the debt of the United States.

The amendment also requires the President to submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. The President's budget must also include justifications and specified details regarding funding proposed for departments and agencies.

Congress may waive the requirements due to a declaration of war, a military conflict, an event that causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security, or a natural disaster.

What's happening now March 4, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2