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Bills/119th Congress · House

H.J.Res. 139

Introduced

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.

Sponsor
RAndy Biggs· Arizona
Introduced
January 9, 2026
Policy area
Economics and Public Finance
Latest action
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).March 18, 2026
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 139 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>

House Calendar No. 63
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 139

[Report No. 119-520]

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 9, 2026

Mr. Biggs of Arizona submitted the following joint resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

February 25, 2026

Additional sponsors: Mr. Clyde and Mr. Brecheen

February 25, 2026

Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed

_______________________________________________________________________

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House 
concurring therein), 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:

``Article--

``Section 1. Total expenditures for a year shall not exceed the 
average annual receipts collected in the three prior years, adjusted in 
proportion to the changes in the population of citizens of the United 
States and inflation. Total expenditures shall include all expenditures 
of the United States except those for payment of debt, and receipts 
shall include all receipts of the United States except those derived 
from borrowing.
``Section 2. Congress may by a roll call vote of two-thirds of each 
House provide by law for specific expenditures in excess of the limit 
in section 1.
``Section 3. Congress may by a roll call vote provide by law for 
specific expenditures in excess of the limit in section 1 for any year 
in which a declaration of war is in effect.
``Section 4. Any bill to levy a new tax or to increase the rate of 
any tax shall not become law unless approved by two-thirds of the whole 
number of each House of Congress by a roll call vote.
``Section 5. Congress shall enforce and implement this article by 
appropriate legislation.
``Section 6. This article shall take effect with the fifth year 
beginning after ratification.''.
House Calendar No. 63

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. J. RES. 139

[Report No. 119-520]

_______________________________________________________________________

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.

_______________________________________________________________________

February 25, 2026

Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed

Plain-language analysis

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