S.Amdt. 2151

This amendment, labeled SA 2151 and submitted by Ms. Baldwin, is all about holding our officials accountable for how they handle our nation's money. Common sense tells us we should not be spending money we do not have, and this amendment puts up a roadblock in the Senate to stop that from happening with certain budget bills.

Changes to the Bill

Adding a New Rule

The amendment adds a rule that creates a point of order in the Senate against reconciliation legislation. Specifically, it aims to stop any reconciliation bill, resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that would cause a deficit, increase a deficit, or reduce a surplus during specific time periods. These periods include the current fiscal year, the budget year, and either the following 4 fiscal years or the following 9 fiscal years.

Overruling the Rule

Waivers and Votes

If the Senate wants to ignore this rule and pass a bill that increases the deficit or cuts a surplus anyway, it is not easy. It takes an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the sworn Members of the Senate to waive or suspend the rule. Furthermore, it takes that same three-fifths vote to win an appeal against the ruling of the Chair.

Figuring Out the Numbers

Budget Determinations

To make sure everyone is playing by the same rules, the levels of net deficit increases and net surplus reductions will be decided based strictly on estimates provided by the Committee on the Budget of the Senate.