H.J.Res. 1House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 10:57 AM UTC

The resolution proposes adding a balanced‑budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It would require that federal spending not exceed total revenues each fiscal year, with special voting thresholds for any deficits, debt increases, or revenue hikes. The amendment also mandates the President submit a balanced budget each year and allows waivers during declared wars or serious military threats. It would apply to the entire federal government and become effective after ratification.

Key Provisions

Spending may not exceed receipts in a fiscal year unless three‑fifths of each House votes by roll call to allow a specific deficit.
Spending may not exceed one‑fifth of U.S. economic output unless two‑thirds of each House votes to raise the limit.
The public debt limit cannot be increased without three‑fifths of each House approving the increase by roll call.
The President must transmit a proposed budget each year that balances total outlays with receipts.
Any bill raising revenue requires three‑fifths of each House approval by roll call.
Congress may waive the amendment for a fiscal year during a declared war or serious military threat, with the waiver limited to the specific excess needed.
Congress must enact legislation to enforce the amendment, using estimates of outlays and receipts.
Receipts are defined as all government income except borrowing; outlays include all spending except repayment of debt principal.
The amendment takes effect beginning with the fifth fiscal year after ratification.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

January 11, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 3, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 3, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

January 11, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 3, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 1

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2017

Mr. Goodlatte (for himself, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Culberson, and Mr. Farenthold) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

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Total outlays for any fiscal year shall not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year, unless three-fifths of the whole number of each House of Congress shall provide by law for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a rollcall vote.

Total outlays for any fiscal year shall not exceed one-fifth of economic output of the United States, unless two-thirds of each House of Congress shall provide for a specific increase of outlays above this amount.

The limit on the debt of the United States held by the public shall not be increased unless three-fifths of the whole number of each House shall provide by law for such an increase by a rollcall vote.

Prior to each fiscal year, the President shall transmit to the Congress a proposed budget for the United States Government for that fiscal year in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts.

A bill to increase revenue shall not become law unless three-fifths of the whole number of each House shall provide by law for such an increase by a rollcall vote.

The Congress may waive the provisions of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. The provisions of this article may be waived for any fiscal year in which the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, which becomes law. Any such waiver must identify and be limited to the specific excess or increase for that fiscal year made necessary by the identified military conflict.

The Congress shall enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation, which may rely on estimates of outlays and receipts.

Total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States Government except those derived from borrowing. Total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States Government except for those for repayment of debt principal.

This article shall take effect beginning with the fifth fiscal year beginning after its ratification.