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Proposed Constitutional Amendment: Federal Balanced Budget Requirement

This proposal aims to amend the Constitution to require that federal government spending not exceed the average revenue collected over the three prior years, adjusted for population and inflation. This means the government would need to manage its finances more strictly, potentially impacting funding for public programs but also promoting fiscal stability. In emergencies, Congress could temporarily allow higher spending.
Key points
Federal government expenditures would be capped at the average revenue from the three preceding years, adjusted for inflation and population changes.
In emergencies (e.g., disasters), Congress can temporarily allow spending above the limit for up to one year, with a two-thirds vote.
The full implementation of this spending limit would be phased in over nine years after ratification.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 117_HJRES_77
Sponsor: Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
Process start date: 2022-03-17
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HJRES_77.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2022-03-17.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Federal government expenditures would be capped at the average revenue from the three preceding years, adjusted for inflation and population changes.
  • In emergencies (e.g., disasters), Congress can temporarily allow spending above the limit for up to one year, with a two-thirds vote.
  • The full implementation of this spending limit would be phased in over nine years after ratification.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-27.

CATEGORIES

Economy Courts and Law Public Investments