Bill · S. 3951· Senate(119-S-3951)
Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/26/2026
- Last activity
- 2/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Scott
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026 aims to provide the President with authority and discretion over budgetary resources to reach a balanced budget. If the President determines a deficit will occur in a fiscal year, they can choose not to obligate certain resources. This occurs after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget. The authority excludes resources for Medicare and Social Security. The amount of resources declined cannot exceed what is needed to eliminate the deficit.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this give the federal government more power?+7
The bill significantly expands executive authority over the control of budgetary resources.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+6
The bill allows the President to control and potentially reduce discretionary and direct spending to reach a balanced budget.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+5
The bill empowers the President to reduce deficits by declining to obligate certain budgetary resources.
The opposite
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?-3
Medicaid funding is not excluded from the definition of covered resources and could be subject to reduced obligations.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-3
Reductions in discretionary spending could negatively impact social safety net programs.
Does this put more money into public schools?-2
Discretionary spending cuts could potentially reduce public school funding.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Achieving a Balanced Budget: The bill provides a mechanism for the President to decline obligating resources to help achieve a balanced budget (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Budgetary Resources: The President may decline to obligate covered budgetary resources, which includes discretionary appropriations or direct spending, if a deficit is expected (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(b)).
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
- Reduces Government Spending+6Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5Reduces National Debt+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+7
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicaid Funding-3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Low Income Households-3
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
- Introduced in Senate