This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total federal expenditures for a year from exceeding the average annual federal revenue collected in the three prior years, adjusted for changes in population and inflation. Expenditures for payment of debt and revenues derived from borrowing are excluded.
Congress may authorize specific expenditures in excess of the limit for up to one year by declaring an emergency with a roll call vote of two-thirds of each chamber.
The requirements take effect in the first year beginning at least 90 days following ratification, except that expenditures are permitted to exceed the limit by specified amounts during each of the first nine years that the requirements are in effect.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 108 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 108
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 18, 2020
Mr. Amash submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House
concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States:
``Article--
``Section 1. Total expenditures for a year shall not exceed the
average annual revenue collected in the three prior years, adjusted in
proportion to changes in population and inflation. Total expenditures
shall include all expenditures of the United States except those for
payment of debt, and revenue shall include all revenue of the United
States except that derived from borrowing.
``Section 2. Congress may by a roll call vote of two-thirds of each
House declare an emergency and provide by law for specific expenditures
in excess of the limit in section 1. The declaration shall specify
reasons for the emergency designation and may authorize expenditures in
excess of the limit in section 1 for up to one year.
``Section 3. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
``Section 4. This article shall take effect in the first year
beginning at least 90 days following ratification, except that
expenditures may exceed the limit in section 1 by the following portion
of the prior year's expenditures exceeding that limit (excepting
emergency expenditures provided for by section 2): nine-tenths in the
first year, eight-ninths in the second, seven-eighths in the third,
six-sevenths in the fourth, five-sixths in the fifth, four-fifths in
the sixth, three-fourths in the seventh, two-thirds in the eighth, and
one-half in the ninth.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line