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HJRES 21 118th Congress House Economics and Public Finance Budget deficits and national debt Constitution and constitutional amendments Economic performance and conditions Income tax rates Legislative rules and procedure

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

Introduced: January 12, 2023 Introduced by: Van Orden, Derrick Republican · Wisconsin See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 12, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 12, 2023
Introduced in House
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 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 Congress declares an emergency and authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for payment of debt and receipts derived from borrowing.

The amendment requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit and a majority roll call vote of each chamber for bills that increase revenue.

The amendment also requires the President to submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts.

Congress may waive these requirements due to a declaration of war or a military conflict that causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security.

What's happening now January 12, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HJRES 12 Related bill Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
  • HJRES 55 Related bill Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
  • HJRES 15 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 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 21: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-21/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 21: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-21/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 21, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-21/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 21: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-21/)
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