H.J.Res. 8House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for balanced budgets for the Government.

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM UTC

H.J.Res. 8 proposes adding a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require the federal government to have a balanced budget each fiscal year. It would obligate the President to submit a budget that does not spend more than it receives, and it sets conditions under which Congress could allow deficits.

Key Provisions

For any fiscal year, total government spending could not exceed total revenue unless two‑thirds of each House vote to approve a specific deficit.
The President must send Congress a proposed budget each year that balances receipts and outlays.
Congress may waive the balanced‑budget rule for a fiscal year if there is a declared war, a national emergency, or a natural disaster, each requiring a vote of the whole House.
Congress must pass legislation to enforce the amendment, using budget estimates as needed.
The amendment would become effective starting with the fifth fiscal year after it is ratified.

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. 8

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2017

Mr. Fitzpatrick submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for balanced budgets for the Government.

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:

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Total outlays for any fiscal year shall not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year, unless two-thirds 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.

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.

The Congress may waive the provisions of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect by a rollcall vote.

The Congress may waive the provisions of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of national emergency is in effect, as so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, which becomes law.

The Congress may waive the provisions of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of a natural disaster is in effect, as so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, which becomes law.

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

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