Bill · H.R. 4634· House(119-HR-4634)
Debt Ceiling Reform Act
- Introduced
- 7/23/2025
- Last activity
- 7/23/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Brendan Boyle
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Debt Ceiling Reform Act establishes a process to ensure the United States does not default on its obligations. It requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a written certification to Congress when further borrowing is necessary to meet existing commitments. This certification includes a specific end date for the debt limit suspension. Congress can respond by passing a specific type of joint resolution to disapprove of the Secretary's exercise of authority. The bill provides expedited procedures for both the House and Senate to consider such a disapproval resolution.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill increases transparency by requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to submit written certifications to Congress.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+2
The bill requires the Treasury to provide estimates of debt as a percentage of GDP to improve transparency.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+1
The bill aims to prevent default by providing a structured process for debt ceiling suspensions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Debt Default Prevention: The bill aims to provide a process for ensuring the United States does not default on its obligations (Section 2).
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Increased Transparency regarding National Debt: The bill amends existing law to require that information on the debt include an estimate of the debt held by the public as a percentage of the gross domestic product (Section 2(b)).
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Restoration of Congressional Authority: If a specific joint resolution is not enacted following a certification, the debt limit is increased to cover obligations, but the bill includes provisions intended to restore congressional authority over the national debt (Section 2(b)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Treasury Obligations: Under certain conditions where a joint resolution is not enacted, the issuance of new obligations is limited only to those necessary to fund commitments incurred pursuant to law (Section 2(b)(2)(C)(i)).
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Prohibition on Cash Reserves: The Secretary of the Treasury is prohibited from issuing obligations during the extension period for the purpose of increasing the cash balance above normal operating balances (Section 2(b)(2)(C)(ii)).
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+2Reduces National Debt+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For High Income Households+1
- 7/23/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.