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United States · Bill · HJRES

H.J.Res. 56 (112th)

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

7 April 2011

Last action

11 July 2011 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Sponsors

Rep. Walsh, Joe [R-IL-8], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Huelskamp, Tim [R-KS-1], Rep. Bishop, Rob [R-UT-1], Rep. Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Hartzler, Vicky [R-MO-4], Rep. Marino, Tom [R-PA-10], Rep. Rehberg, Denny [R-MT-At Large], Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5], Rep. Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5], Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8], Rep. Lance, Leonard [R-NJ-7], Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV], Rep. Labrador, Raul R. [R-ID-1], Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24], Rep. Long, Billy [R-MO-7], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8], Rep. Griffin, Tim [R-AR-2], Rep. Pompeo, Mike [R-KS-4], Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ], Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4], Rep. Pence, Mike [R-IN-6], Rep. Campbell, John [R-CA-48], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5], Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11], Rep. Graves, Tom [R-GA-14], Rep. Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11], Rep. Coble, Howard [R-NC-6], Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1], Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5], Rep. Hensarling, Jeb [R-TX-5], Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1], Rep. Miller, Gary G. [R-CA-42], Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2], Rep. Farenthold, Blake [R-TX-27], Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1], Rep. Ribble, Reid J. [R-WI-8], Rep. Rokita, Todd [R-IN-4], Rep. Kline, John [R-MN-2], Rep. Amash, Justin [R-MI-3], Rep. Miller, Candice S. [R-MI-10], Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

Subjects

Defence, Rule of law, Taxation, Budget

Source updated

4 December 2025

Defence · Rule of law · Taxation · Budget

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Prohibits total outlays for any fiscal year from exceeding 18% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the preceding calendar year unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess over such 18%. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill from becoming law that imposes a new tax or increases the statutory rate of any tax or the aggregate amount of revenue, unless approved by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber to increase the federal debt limit. Authorizes waivers of these requirements: (1) when a declaration of war is in effect against a nation-state and Congress, by a majority roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess; or (2) under other specified circumstances involving military conflict, if Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes such waiver. Prohibits a federal or state court from ordering any increase in revenue to enforce this article.

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

Timeline

  1. 7 April 2011

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 7 April 2011

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 7 April 2011

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 11 July 2011

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 7 April 2011

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 7 April 2011

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 7 April 2011

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 63 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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