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United States · Bill · HJRES

H.J.Res. 2 (115th)

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

failedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 January 2017

Last action

12 April 2018 · Floor

Status

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)

Sponsors

Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4], Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21], Rep. Culberson, John Abney [R-TX-7], Rep. Farenthold, Blake [R-TX-27], Rep. Bishop, Mike [R-MI-8], Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22], Rep. Sanford, Mark [R-SC-1], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Rooney, Francis [R-FL-19], Rep. Gowdy, Trey [R-SC-4], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6], Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1], Rep. Murphy, Tim [R-PA-18], Rep. Rice, Tom [R-SC-7], Rep. Mitchell, Paul [R-MI-10], Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6], Rep. Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11], Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1], Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8], Rep. Gianforte, Greg [R-MT-At Large], Rep. Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17], Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4], Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1], Rep. Rokita, Todd [R-IN-4], Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19], Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2], Rep. Herrera Beutler, Jaime [R-WA-3], Rep. Jenkins, Evan H. [R-WV-3]

Subjects

Defence, Rule of law, Taxation, Budget

Source updated

7 April 2025

Defence · Rule of law · Taxation · Budget

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

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.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 3 January 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 3 January 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 January 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 11 January 2017

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

    Source: Committee

  5. 12 April 2018

    Vote

    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)

    Source: Floor

  6. 12 April 2018

    Vote

    Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: 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)

    Source: Floor

  7. 12 April 2018

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3162-3192)

    Source: Floor

  8. 12 April 2018

    Vote

    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.

    Source: Floor

  9. 12 April 2018

    Floor

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 811, the House proceeded with 4 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 2.

    Source: Floor

  10. 12 April 2018

    Floor

    Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.

    Source: Floor

Votes

12 April 2018 · failed · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Failed · Official source

Yes 233 · No 184 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 11

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 3 January 2017

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 3 January 2017

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 3 January 2017

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 67 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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