H.J.Res. 15 – Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:17 AM UTC

H.J.Res. 15 proposes adding a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require the federal government’s yearly spending to stay within the average of its revenue from the three previous years, adjusted for population and inflation. The amendment includes a process for emergency spending and a gradual phase‑in period after ratification.

Key Provisions

Limits total federal expenditures each year to the average annual revenue of the prior three years, adjusted for population and inflation; debt‑service payments are excluded from the spending limit, and borrowed money is excluded from revenue.
Allows Congress, by a two‑thirds roll‑call vote in each chamber, to declare an emergency and approve spending above the limit for up to one year, with the emergency reason specified.
Gives Congress authority to enforce the amendment through appropriate legislation.
Sets a phased schedule for reducing any excess spending after ratification, starting at 90% of the prior year’s excess in the first year and decreasing each year until it reaches 50% by the ninth year.

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 4, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 4, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

January 11, 2017

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about H.J.Res. 15 on the floor

2 Republicans

Sen. Steve DainesR-MT · Dec 20, 2018

Mr. President, my Montana colleagues, Congressman Gianforte and Senator Tester, and I have worked for years to bring Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe, and for the first time, we are just…

Mr. President, my Montana colleagues, Congressman Gianforte and Senator Tester, and I have worked for years to bring Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe, and for the first time, we are just one vote away from making it happen.

Congressman Gianforte championed his bill through the House with unanimous votes in the committee and on the floor. When it came to the Senate, Senator Tester and I pressed it, also by unanimous consent, through the Indian Affairs Committee. Now, with just hours left in the 115th Congress, we need to pass this important bill out of the Senate and get it on the President's desk.

The Little Shell Tribe has waited for lifetimes. It should not have to wait another year to get this done. Therefore, in the fashion of all of the previous votes on this bill that have had strong bipartisan support, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 574, H.R. 3764. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I have great respect for the objection by my friend and my colleague from Utah.

I do feel the need to point out that the Little Shell Tribe meets all of the necessary qualifications for recognition, including its having a long history that predates 1940. Let me enumerate on this.

Little Shell is the only Tribe in the country that has funds held in trust by the Department of the Interior but yet lacks Federal recognition. The Little Shell Tribe is the only Tribe that has had a favorable determination by the Department of the Interior and has had it reversed by a bureaucrat with zero negative comments. That decision, however, was remanded by the previous Secretary, and Secretary Zinke strongly supports our efforts here today. The Little Shell has, indeed, existed as a distinct community--recorded as early as 1863 in the Pembina Treaty with the U.S. Government.

I ask unanimous consent that this treaty, with Chief Little Shell's name on it, be printed in the Record.

The Little Shell entered this treaty with other bands of the Chippewa Cree. As well, they all support Little Shell's recognition.

I ask unanimous consent that these letters of support be printed in the Record

The Little Shell is also unique, and all 12 of Montana's Indian Tribes on our seven Indian reservations also support its recognition. The Little Shell also has the support of the entire Montana delegation. It has the support of our Governor, and it has the support of our Attorney General.

Here are their letters.

In fact, Federal recognition of the Little Shell has enjoyed support from the congressional delegation and our State's Governors since the 1930s and 1940s when our country first began to federally recognize Indian Tribes. The American Indian Policy Review Commission, from later in 1977, also recognized its plight as a distinct entity.

There are more documents for the Record. Clearly, the record has existed in support of this Tribe's Federal recognition. I remember, during my time in the House, looking at what it had been going through--literally, stacks and stacks of paperwork--in following a process. There is, indeed, longstanding evidence supporting its recognition, and I strongly disagree with my colleague's objection.

The Little Shell Tribe has seen lifetimes--not a lifetime but lifetimes--of neglect from our Federal Government. I had hoped we could finally deliver its recognition here today. We are just one vote short in the Senate. I will not stop pushing for our government to rectify this injustice.

I thank the Presiding Officer.

Sen. Mike LeeR-UT · Dec 20, 2018

Mr. President, in reserving the right to object, Tribal recognition is a very serious matter. It is not one that should be undertaken lightly. Given the sacred nature of Tribal recognition and the…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2017

IA

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 15

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2017

Mr. Amash 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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1.

Total expenditures for a year shall not exceed the average annual revenue collected in the three prior years, adjusted in proportion to changes in population and inflation. Total expenditures shall include all expenditures of the United States except those for payment of debt, and revenue shall include all revenue of the United States except that derived from borrowing.

2.

Congress may by a roll call vote of two-thirds of each House declare an emergency and provide by law for specific expenditures in excess of the limit in section 1. The declaration shall specify reasons for the emergency designation and may authorize expenditures in excess of the limit in section 1 for up to one year.

3.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

4.

This article shall take effect in the first year beginning at least 90 days following ratification, except that expenditures may exceed the limit in section 1 by the following portion of the prior year’s expenditures exceeding that limit (excepting emergency expenditures provided for by section 2): nine-tenths in the first year, eight-ninths in the second, seven-eighths in the third, six-sevenths in the fourth, five-sixths in the fifth, four-fifths in the sixth, three-fourths in the seventh, two-thirds in the eighth, and one-half in the ninth.

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