Bill · S. 45· Senate(119-S-45)
Balanced Budget Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 1/9/2025
- Last activity
- 1/9/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Steve Daines
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Balanced Budget Accountability Act aims to reduce the annual pay of Members of Congress if they fail to adopt a balanced budget. It defines a balanced budget as a resolution where total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are no more than 18 percent of the projected gross domestic product. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, if a balanced budget is not certified by April 16, pay is held in an escrow account until a balanced budget is certified or the Congress ends. Starting in fiscal year 2028, Members would instead be paid an annual rate of $1 if a balanced budget is not certified by the specified deadline. Additionally, the bill requires a three-fifths supermajority vote to agree to any measure that increases revenue.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+6
The bill imposes financial penalties on Members of Congress to enforce fiscal responsibility.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+5
The bill mandates a balanced budget to address the growing national debt.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+4
The bill restricts outlays to no more than 18 percent of the projected GDP.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Stability and Growth: The bill finds that high federal debt and deficits threaten to suppress job creation and economic growth, potentially harming the nation's economy (Section 1, Findings).
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Protection of Future Generations: By attempting to balance the budget, the bill seeks to prevent future generations of Americans from being left with a lower standard of living and fewer opportunities (Section 1, Findings).
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Congressional Accountability: The act establishes mechanisms to hold Members of Congress accountable for failing to pass annual budgets that result in a balanced budget (Section 1, Findings).
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Revenue Increase Constraints: The bill requires a three-fifths affirmative vote for any measure that increases revenue, establishing a specific rule for such legislation (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Members of Congress: For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, if a balanced budget is not certified by April 16, a portion of a Member's compensation is held in an escrow account (Section 2, subsection c).
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Extreme Salary Reduction: For fiscal year 2028 and subsequent years, if a balanced budget is not certified by April 16 of the preceding fiscal year, the annual rate of pay for Members would be reduced to $1 (Section 2, subsection d).
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+6Reduces National Debt+5Reduces Government Spending+4Improves Economic Growth+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For Low Income Households+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania