United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1979
Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1980 - Establishes authorization ceilings for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to be used for nuclear reactor regulation, inspection and enforcement, standards development, nuclear material safety and safeguards, nuclear regulatory research, program technical support, and program direction and administration. Limits the Commission's authority to reprogram funds for a specific line item by an increase or decrease in excess of $500,000 for a period of 30 calendar days after notifying the appropriate committees of Congress, unless each committee has transmitted a written notice stating it has no objections to the proposed action. Directs the Commission to establish a Senior Contract Review Board to review placements or modifications of contracts with Federal agencies or for research services in excess of $500,000, with any such contract in excess of $1,000,000 requiring the approval of a majority of the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to retain moneys received for cooperative research programs for salaries and expenses for such programs and to transfer sums from salaries and expenses to other government agencies which perform work for which the appropriation was made. Authorizes the Commission to use the amount of authorized funds necessary to: (1) establish standards for State radiological emergency expense plans for any facility required to be licensed by the Atomic Energy Act; (2) review all plans and other preparations respecting such an emergency made by each State which may be in some way affected by such emergency; (3) assess the adequacy of such plans and the ability of the States involved to effectuate emergency evacuations; (4) identify which States do not have adequate preparations and notify the Governor forthwith; and (5) submit a report to Congress containing results and recommendations. Directs the Commission, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Transportation, to promulgate regulations requiring that timely notice be provided to the Governor of a State prior to the transportation of nuclear materials from commercial facilities through or within the jurisdiction of such State. Title II: Authority to Make Payments - Authorizes payments under this Act only to the extent such amounts are provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Title III: Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 by increasing the maximum civil penalty which the Commission can impose for single license violations from $5,000 to $100,000, and removes the maximum total penalty ceiling. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize the Commission to protect certain unclassified but sensitive nuclear safeguards information from public disclosure. Subjects to civil penalties violators of regulations or orders issued to prevent such disclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate restrictions on the tax exclusion available to U.S. citizens residing in foreign countries with respect to the dollar limitation, treatment of community income, attribution rules, and meals and lodging furnished by an employer. Repeals provisions added by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which allow income tax deductions for various expenses related to living abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should communicate U.S. insistence that the Soviet Union remove its troops from Cuba. Stipulates that ratification of the SALT II Treaty be suspended until such troops are removed.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to stipulate that an automobile manufacturer's failure to comply with any average fuel economy standard shall not be deemed "unlawful conduct" under such Act unless the Secretary of Transportation has determined that: (1) any credits which the manufacturer may have received for exceeding such standards in any model year do not fully offset any penalty for failure to achieve such standards; and (2) the time for which such credits could be earned to offset such a penalty has expired. Allows such a credit to be used to offset any penalty which may have been assessed against the manufacturer in the three consecutive years prior to the model year in which the manufacturer exceeds such a standard.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Tax Relief Act of 1979 - Title I: Individual Income Tax Reductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1979 and to make permanent reductions for succeeding years. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to individual income tax brackets and to the amount of the personal exemption. Provides that the amount of the personal exemption and the zero bracket amount applicable to a taxpayer shall determine whether such taxpayer is required to file an income tax return. Title II: Capital Cost Recovery - Revises the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year. Title III: Reduction of Payroll Taxes and Long-Range Financial Strengthening of the Social Security System - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the special increases in the contribution and benefit base, for purposes of determining amount of tax liability, for 1979 through 1981. Limits contribution and benefit bases to a maximum $22,900 in 1979 and 1980. Makes reductions in the social security tax rate and sets forth the tax rate through year 2010. Provides for the partial funding of title XVIII (Medicare), part A (Hospital Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled) of the Social Security Act from general revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Authorizes federally insured banks and savings and loan associations, State banks and savings and loan associations, savings banks, and mutual savings banks to offer interest-bearing deposits or accounts upon which the depositor may make withdrawals by negotiable instrument for the purpose of making transfers to third parties (NOW accounts). Stipulates that such deposits or accounts may only be held by individuals or nonprofit organizations. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Authorizes such associations to extend loans directly related to negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require any institution which has subscribed for the stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to maintain reserves against its negotiable order of withdrawal accounts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes the required form of such balances. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit insured credit unions to offer share draft deposits to individuals and nonprofit organizations in accordance with regulations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Requires each Federal credit union to maintain reserves against such deposits in amounts and forms prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1979
Prohibits any instrumentality of the United States from withholding Government contracts or applying any other sanction to enforce voluntary wage-price guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1979
Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and offices, to establish a Federal mechanism within such Office to apply and promote the understanding and appreciation of comparative risks in scientific, technological, and related matters and to assist Federal, State, and local governments, private industry, and the public in making intelligent comparisons and evaluations of those risks. Requires any comparison, made for the purposes of this Act, of the risks involved in alternative scientific, technological, or related actions to include: (1) an evaluation of the risks to human health and life which would be incurred or increased by the proposed action or course of action in comparison with the risks which would be reduced or eliminated thereby; and (2) an evaluation of the risks to human health and life which would be incurred, increased, reduced, or eliminated as a consequence of the proposed action in comparison with the corresponding risks associated with the alternative action or actions. Requires the Office to submit to Congress, no later than September 30, 1980, a report on its activities and progress which shall specifically include: (1) a detailed statement of the findings and an evaluation of such findings and their significance; (2) an identification of all Federal laws and regulations where changes involving comparative risk assessments are needed; (3) recommendations for changes which ought to be made in the organizational structure of the various Federal agencies; (4) appropriate consideration of methods by which public understanding and appreciation of comparative risk assessments can be increased; and (5) such other matters as in its judgment will assure continuing progress toward achievement of the objectives of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1979
Establishes in the House of Representatives a Select Committee on Energy which shall conduct a full and complete investigation and review of: (1) the development of sources of energy other than oil; (2) proposals for energy conservation; (3) the powers and duties of the proposed Energy Mobilization Board; (4) the powers and duties of the proposed Energy Security Corporation; (5) methods to provide for the energy needs of older Americans and low-income Americans at reasonable prices; (6) the impact of the President's proposals on energy on older and low-income Americans; and (7) any matters referred by the Speaker of the House for review and investigation. Requires the select committee to report to the House, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this resolution, the results of its investigation and review, including such recommendations as it deems advisable.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit coursing (the use of live animals as visual lures in dog racing and training). Sets forth the penalties for violation of this Act. Exempts any dog trained by the use of any live visual lure, or sponsored or exhibited in a coursing venture, or any animal used as a live visual lure in a coursing venture before the effective date of this Act from the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1979
Elderly Homeowner's Relief Act - Amends the Home Owner's Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations to offer reverse annuity mortgages on the security of first liens upon residential real property in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Requires the regulations issued by the Board to include provisions which: (1) entitle applicants to withdraw without penalty from the mortgage agreement within 17 days of its consummation; (2) assure notice to consumers of all contingencies under the terms of the mortgage in the event of default; (3) provide all applicants an opportunity for refinancing at the end of the mortgage term; (4) allow prepayment at any one time without penalty; (5) require all associations to purchase annuities from an insurance company licensed by the State of their incorporation; (6) prohibit any variable interest rate on the mortgage loan; and (7) require applicants to receive a written notice of the terms of the mortgage loan containing specified provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1979
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to permit local distribution companies to provide natural gas service to residential customers for use in outdoor lighting fixtures installed before the enactment of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to exempt from applicable Federal regulations any State having in effect a law, rule, or regulation applicable to underground injection control related to the production or recovery of oil or natural gas unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that such law, rule, or regulation fails to protect underground sources of drinking water. Provides that any State for which such finding is made may amend its law, rule, or regulation in order to benefit from such exemption where approved by the Administrator. Exempts from the underground injection well permit requirements any State having in effect such law, rule, or regulation approved by the Administrator. Exempts from the administrative procedure and judicial review requirements of the United States Code any action relating to national interim primary drinking water regulations, revised national primary drinking water regulations, and State underground injection control program regulations, except as expressly provided by this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a docket for such actions, and sets forth notice and public and agency commenting requirements for any proposed rulemaking. Sets forth procedures and other requirements for promulgating rules concerning drinking water regulations, and establishes procedures for judicial review of such actions. Amends the definition of "primary drinking water regulation". Revises the standard for the promulgation of primary drinking water regulations. Makes technical and conforming amendments to such Act. Requires any State having primary enforcement responsibility to submit notice to the Administrator that its public water system supervision program conforms to any revision or amendment to any national primary drinking water regulation made by the Administrator. States that failure to submit such notice shall be grounds for withdrawal of State primary enforcement responsibility. Amends such Act to authorize a State having such enforcement responsibility to exempt from maximum contaminant level requirements or treatment technique requirements any public water system not having any reasonable alter native source of drinking water available. Revises the dates for compliance by public water systems with contaminant level and treatment technique requirements. Extends the effective date for State underground injection control regulations approved by the Administrator. Authorizes the waiver of the prohibition against State grants being made for any period beginning more than one year after the date of a State's first grant having been made for a period of 18 months after the effective date of any amendment or revision of the national primary drinking water regulations if the State has assumed primary enforcement responsibility and is making diligent efforts to comply with such amendment or revision. Prohibits the Administrator from making grants to any State unless the State has assumed primary enforcement responsibility within two years after the Administrator promulgates State underground injection control program regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Title I: - Adds a new title to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968. Defines "generally applicable requirements" as requirements which are placed on assistance recipients by Federal legislation or administrative rules and regulations, and which apply to two or more assistance programs. Directs the President to designate Federal agencies to establish standard rules and regulations for, and to report on the implementation of generally applicable requirements in the areas of: (1) labor practices; (2) public employee standards; (3) equal services requirements based on prohibitions of discrimination; (4) access to government information; (5) relocation and real property acquisition; (6) procurement standards; (7) planning; (8) finance and administration; (9) citizen participation; and (10) environmental protection when such requirements are part of a Federal assistance program. Directs Federal departments and agencies to comply with those rules within 120 days after such a rule is issued. Permits a designated agency to submit for review by the President and, subsequently, Congress a legislative proposal to exclude certain Federal assistance programs from all or part of its standard rules. Directs the President to designate the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oversee the the administration of this title. Title II: Consolidation of Federal Assistance Programs - Directs the President to: (1) examine Federal assistance programs; and (2) prepare and transmit to Congress a plan for consolidating functionally related programs upon determining that such consolidation would improve the administration or efficiency of such programs. Requires that such a plan: (1) designate one agency to administer a consolidated program; (2) expire no later than six years after becoming effective; and (3) be transmitted to Congress before December 31, 1984. States that any such plan shall become effective upon approval by the President of a congressional resolution approving such plan. Sets forth House and Senate procedure for considering such a resolution. Requires the President to report to Congress annually on consolidation plans which are proposed and implemented under this title. Title III: Integrated Grant Development - Rewrites the Joint Funding Simplification Act of 1974 as the Integrated Grant Development Act of 1979. Requires Federal agencies to take specified measures previously authorized by the Joint Funding Simplification Act to provide for joint funding by and management of Federal assistance programs which have common interests. Directs the President to designate the OMB to take specified measures to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Advance Appropriations - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 and the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to provide for multi-year funding of Federal financial assistance programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires Federal agencies, under the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968, to provide the officials of a State or local government receiving Federal assistance with information concerning the amount and purpose of that assistance. Directs the OMB to develop the system of providing such information and to oversee agency compliance with this title. Authorizes Congress to include in Federal assistance legislation a provision which prohibits a State or local government from using Federal assistance to replace funding previously provided by that government. Authorizes the head of an agency to waive such a prohibition upon determining that it would cause extraordinary fiscal hardship.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend until June 30, 1981, the period during which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not take specified actions to restrict the continued use of saccharin or of any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Afro-American Museum Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and operate the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture in the vicinity of Wilberforce, Ohio, for the preservation, collection, and display of objects pertaining to the history and culture of Afro-Americans. Authorizes the Secretary to borrow or acquire by gift, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or otherwise, appropriate works of art and any other real or personal property necessary for the establishment and operation of the museum. Establishes a National Afro-American History and Culture Advisory Board which shall: (1) advise the Secretary regarding all aspects of the establishment and operation of the museum; (2) study the feasibility of establishing affiliations with other museums of Afro-American history or culture located in other areas of the United States; and (3) assist the Secretary in soliciting subscriptions of funds from private sources to help meet the costs of the establishment and operation of the museum. Directs the Board to submit annual reports to the Secretary, and to the appropriate authorizing committees of the Congress, containing a detailed statement of the activities undertaken by the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Afro-American Museum Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and operate the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture in the vicinity of Wilberforce, Ohio, for the preservation, collection, and display of objects pertaining to the history and culture of Afro-Americans. Authorizes the Secretary to borrow or acquire appropriate works of art and any other real or personal property necessary for the establishment and operation of the museum. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with the Ohio Historical Society, Central State University, Wilberforce University, and with other interested persons concerning the operation of the museum and the development of museum programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Afro-American Museum Act - Establishes the Afro-American History and Culture Board which shall be responsible for the establishment of the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture. Authorizes the museum to preserve, collect and display objects relating to the history and culture of Afro-Americans and to establish exhibits, curatorial services, library programs, archives programs, professional museum training programs and educational and extension services. Directs the Board to construct and operate the initial branch and headquarters of the museum in Wilberforce, Ohio, and to study the possibility of establishing other branches in different areas of the country.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1979
Requires a ten percent reduction in the number of civilian employees of the executive branch from the number of such employees on September 30, 1977, to be attained through attrition by September 30, 1984. Limits the percentage of low level positions which may be involved in such reduction. States that the reduction of positions among agencies shall be proportionate to the size of each agency's work force. Requires a similar reduction in the work force of the legislative branch. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report annually to Congress on work force reductions in the executive branch. Requires the Director of the Federal Judicial Center to submit to Congress recommendations for similar reductions in the Judicial branch.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to stipulate that the institute currently authorized to conduct research on neurological diseases shall be named the "National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke." Requires at least $16,000,000 of the sums appropriated for such Institute to be obligated for research in the area of regeneration of the spinal cord.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the age requirement for youths participating in the qualified cooperative education program from 16- 19 to 14-19, for purposes of the targeted jobs tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for one additional year (until January 1, 1981) provisions which allow taxpayers to treat as deductible expenses expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the leaders of the United States, Mexico, and Canada should meet to discuss energy issues and establish a common economic bond of energy cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to repeal the prohibition on the payment of interest on demand deposits. Allows federally insured savings and loan associations regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation and insured credit unions regulated by the National Credit Union Board to receive demand deposits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Stipulates that the payment of retired or retainer pay which would otherwise be made to a member of the armed forces shall be paid by the Secretary concerned to another person to the extent provided for in the terms of any court decree of divorce, annulment, or legal separation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax income of married individuals filing tax returns separate from their spouses at the same rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that exclusive territorial arrangements made as a part of a licensing agreement for the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a trademarked soft drink product are lawful under the antitrust laws provided such product is in substantial and effective competition with other products of the same general class. Prohibits recovery in private actions under the Clayton Act based on territorial provisions in a trademark licensing agreement prior to a final determination that such provisions are unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that provisions of such Act shall not apply to clay surface mining operations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1979
Flood Control Procedure Reform Act of 1979 - Establishes a flood control survey and engineering fund in the U.S. Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to use such fund for surveys or other planning of authorized flood control projects. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for such fund. Provides for the authorization of flood control projects by resolution of the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 to permit the Secretary to enter into agreements with States for water resources projects even if such agreements are contingent upon the State legislative appropriation process.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Crude Oil Transportation Amendments Act of 1979 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to authorize the President to recommend the waiver of State laws (in addition to Federal laws as currently provided) to expedite the transportation of crude oil. Directs the President to identify and report to Congress any provisions of Federal or State law which are likely to hinder the timely construction of the Long Beach-Midland project. Provides for the subsequent review of such legislative provisions. Extends the period for the filing and consideration of applications for proposed crude oil transportation systems.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Independent Contractor Tax Status Clarification Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of social security taxation. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or if he does, such place of business is not provided, or provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; and (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes. Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for service performed by an individual who qualifies as an independent contractor under the standards established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified tax credit against the estate and the gift tax so that estates and gifts under $1,000,000 will be exempt from tax.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Urges the President to direct the Secretaries of States and Commerce to establish a joint research program, in cooperation with specified countries and international organizations, to improve stock assessment methods and technologies with regard to marine mammals.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Good Samaritan Act - Declares: (1) that any licensed medical personnel or aircraft employee who, in good faith, renders emergency care to an injured or ill person aboard an aircraft shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such individual in rendering such care, except for any act or omission amounting to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct; and (2) that any such individual shall not be liable for any such act or omission in rendering continued emergency care to the injured or ill person during transportation from the aircraft to a medical facility for further treatment or care.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the total amount of money expended by the United States in any fiscal year from exceeding the total amount of revenue received by the United States during such fiscal year, except in time of war as declared by the Congress. Allows the suspension of the amendment by a joint resolution approved by a vote of three-fifths of the Members of each House of the Congress and approved and signed by the President, or by a vote of two-thirds of the Members of each House of the Congress. Requires tax rates to be reduced to offset the effects of inflation. Establishes a procedure for the approval of bills or joint resolutions affecting taxes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Brown, Clarence, Jr. [R-OH-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000910_200.jpg)