Bill · H.J.Res. 2· House(119-HJRES-2)
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/3/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Biggs
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. It requires that total outlays for any fiscal year do not exceed total receipts for that same year. Additionally, the amendment seeks to prevent any increase in the limit on the debt held by the public. Finally, it mandates that no bill to increase revenue can become law without a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate via a rollcall vote.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+8
The bill imposes strict constitutional requirements for a balanced budget and debt control.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+7
The amendment explicitly seeks to prevent increases to the debt held by the public.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+6
Mandating that outlays do not exceed receipts inherently restricts total government spending.
The opposite· 3 of 22
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?-4
Spending constraints may make it harder to increase funding for programs like Medicare.
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?-4
A balanced budget mandate can create hurdles for increasing Medicaid funding.
Does this send more money or help to other countries?-4
The balanced budget requirement may limit the ability to increase foreign aid outlays.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Balanced Budget Requirement: By ensuring that total outlays do not exceed total receipts, this provision aims to prevent the government from spending more than it brings in during a fiscal year (Section 1).
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Debt Limit Restriction: This section aims to prevent the increase of the limit on the debt of the United States held by the public (Section 2).
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Revenue Increase Oversight: This requires a two-thirds majority of the whole number of each House through a rollcall vote before any bill to increase revenue can become law, providing a higher threshold for new revenue measures (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Spending Constraints: The requirement that outlays cannot exceed receipts for any fiscal year could restrict government spending levels (Section 1).
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Debt Limit Constraints: The provision prevents the increase of the limit on the debt held by the public (Section 2).
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Increased Difficulty for Revenue Bills: The requirement for a two-thirds majority via rollcall vote makes it more difficult for a bill to increase revenue to become law (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+8Reduces National Debt+7Reduces Government Spending+6Reduces Inflation+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicaid Funding-4Increases Medicare Funding-4Improves Veterans Healthcare-3Increases Affordable Care Act Support-3Increases Research Funding-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households-3Good For Students-3Good For Veterans-3Good For Retirees-2Good For Seniors-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Student Loan Relief-3Increases Public School Funding-3Increases Scientific Research Funding-3Improves College Affordability-2Increases Space Exploration-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Foreign Aid-4Improves Veterans Benefits-3Reduces Military Spending-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A-3Increases Renewable Energy Investment-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power-2
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.