Bills · HJRES 10
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Joint Res.HJRES 10Income tax ratesConstitution and constitutional amendments
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
INTRO JAN 3· LAST ACTION JAN 3
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
15
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it proposes a fundamental shift in how the federal government manages its finances, aiming to stop the long-standing practice of deficit spending. If it becomes law, it would enshrine fiscal discipline directly into the Constitution, potentially leading to a more stable national debt and greater financial predictability for the country.
Voters should care because it could mean less money available for new government programs, or it could necessitate tax increases to fund existing services. It would make it much harder for Congress to react to economic downturns or national emergencies with large spending packages, unless there's widespread agreement from both parties. If it doesn't become law, the current system of budgeting, which has often resulted in significant annual deficits and a growing national debt, would continue.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires total government spending (outlays) not to exceed total income (receipts) in any given fiscal year.
This is the core of the amendment, mandating a balanced budget unless a significant portion of Congress agrees otherwise, fundamentally changing federal financial operations.
PROVISION 02
Prevents the national debt limit from being increased without a three-fifths vote of the whole number of each House of Congress.
This makes it significantly harder for the government to borrow more money, directly addressing the growth of the national debt.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that the President submit a proposed budget each fiscal year where spending does not exceed income.
This shifts the initial responsibility for fiscal balance to the Executive Branch, influencing the budget process from the very start.
PROVISION 04
Allows the balanced budget provisions to be waived only during a declared war or a military conflict threatening national security, requiring a majority vote from both houses.
This provides a narrow exception for critical national security situations while maintaining the general rule of fiscal restraint.
PROVISION 05
Any bill to increase government revenue must be approved by a majority rollcall vote of the whole number of each House of Congress.
This provision specifically makes it more difficult to pass tax increases, adding an extra layer of legislative scrutiny to revenue-generating legislation.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 15
R· Iowa
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
61
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 15 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSJAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Joint Resolution
NumberHJRES 10
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Last actionJan 3, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025
House Joint Res.HJRES 10Income tax ratesConstitution and constitutional amendments
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 3, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
15
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
