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Balanced Budget Accountability Act: Congressional Pay Tied to Fiscal Responsibility

This law aims to force Congress to adopt a balanced budget to curb the national debt, which is cited as a threat to economic stability and future opportunities. If Congress fails to pass a certified balanced budget, members' salaries will be withheld or reduced to $1 annually. Furthermore, raising taxes will require a three-fifths supermajority vote, making it significantly harder to increase financial burdens on citizens.
Key points
Congressional salaries will be withheld (2024-2025) or reduced to $1 annually (starting 2026) if a balanced budget is not adopted by the deadline.
A balanced budget requires that spending does not exceed revenue and is capped at 18% of GDP (requirement starts in fiscal year 2033).
Any measure increasing taxes or revenue will require a three-fifths supermajority vote in both the House and the Senate.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_6
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Process start date: 2023-01-23
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Summarized by: gemini-flash-latest
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Balanced Budget Accountability Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_6.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-01-23.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Congressional salaries will be withheld (2024-2025) or reduced to $1 annually (starting 2026) if a balanced budget is not adopted by the deadline.
  • A balanced budget requires that spending does not exceed revenue and is capped at 18% of GDP (requirement starts in fiscal year 2033).
  • Any measure increasing taxes or revenue will require a three-fifths supermajority vote in both the House and the Senate.
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 Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

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

CATEGORIES

Economy Taxes Public Investments