Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HJR6

Introduced
1/3/25  

Caption

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber. The amendment also requires the President to submit an annual budget in which total outlays for the fiscal year do not exceed total receipts. Congress may waive the requirements for any fiscal year in which (1) a declaration of war is in effect by a roll call vote, or (2) a declaration of a natural disaster or a national emergency is in effect that was declared by a joint resolution that became law after being adopted by a majority of each chamber of Congress.

Impact

The amendment outlined in HJR6 would significantly alter the financial operations of the federal government. By mandating that the government's expenditures must not exceed its income, it could lead to stricter federal budgeting processes and limit the ability of legislators to fund new programs without raising taxes or cutting existing services. This could foster a culture of fiscal responsibility, but may also hinder the government's flexibility in responding to unforeseen financial crises, such as economic downturns and emergencies that require substantial funding.

Summary

HJR6 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States aimed at enforcing a balanced budget for the federal government. Under this proposed amendment, total outlays for any fiscal year would not be allowed to exceed total receipts unless two-thirds of both the House and Senate approve a specific excess by a rollcall vote. This measure intends to ensure fiscal discipline and prevent excessive government spending by establishing a constitutional requirement for a balanced budget.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HJR6 is likely to evoke strong opinions among lawmakers and various stakeholders. Supporters of the balanced budget amendment argue that it is crucial for long-term economic stability and responsibility, asserting that it will prevent the federal government from accumulating unsustainable debt. Conversely, critics may contend that such rigidity in fiscal policy could prove detrimental, particularly in times of crisis when the government needs to have the ability to increase spending temporarily. Assertions of the negative effects on social programs and economic growth are expected to feature prominently in the debate over this resolution.

Congress_id

119-HJRES-6

Policy_area

Economics and Public Finance

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB121

Limiting Emergency Powers Act of 2023 This bill provides that a national emergency declared by the President terminates 30 days after a declaration unless a joint resolution affirming such declaration is enacted. All existing emergency declarations expire after two years unless the President requests a renewal that receives congressional approval.

US SB6

Balanced Budget Accountability Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), upon adoption by a chamber of Congress of a concurrent budget resolution for a fiscal year, to certify to the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President pro tempore of the Senate whether that chamber has adopted a balanced budget. Balanced budget means a concurrent budget resolution providing that for FY2033 and each succeeding fiscal year to which the resolution applies total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are not more than 18% of the projected domestic product for such fiscal year. The bill requires the salary of Members of Congress to be held in escrow if OMB determines a chamber has not adopted a balanced budget for FY2024 before April 16, 2023, and for FY2025 before April 16, 2024. The bill also provides for the release of these funds to the Members. Beginning in FY2026, if OMB does not certify that a chamber has adopted a balanced budget before April 16 of the prior fiscal year, each Member of that chamber shall be paid at the rate of $1 annually for pay periods after that date in the same calendar year. The bill also requires that legislation in either chamber to increase revenue be agreed upon by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of that chamber.

US HJR4

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation during a fiscal year unless both Houses of Congress have agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal year prior to the beginning of that fiscal year.

US HB260

Nickel Plan Act This bill modifies the federal budget process to establish and enforce new spending caps. The bill establishes an outlay cap (less net interest payments) for FY2024 of $5.953 trillion, less 5%. For each year from FY2025-FY2027, the outlay cap is 5% less than the previous year's outlay cap. For FY2028 and subsequent years, total outlays (including net interest payments) may not exceed 17.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for that year as estimated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Beginning in FY2029, total projected outlays for any year may not be less than the total projected outlays for the preceding year. The OMB must enforce the spending caps using a sequester to eliminate any excess spending through automatic cuts. The bill eliminates the existing exemptions from sequestration. If the OMB projects a sequester, the congressional budget committees may report a resolution directing congressional committees to change existing law to achieve the spending reductions necessary to meet the outlay limits. The bill also establishes procedures for Congress to enforce the outlay caps established by this bill.

US SCR41

A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

US HB135

No Pay Raise for Congress Act This bill cancels the automatic adjustment to the pay of Members of Congress that is based on the employment cost index if the Congressional Budget Office determines that there was a federal budget deficit in the last fiscal year.

US HB225

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for FY2024 by April 15, 2023, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Salaries are withheld from April 16, 2023, until the earlier of (1) the day on which the chamber of Congress agrees to a budget resolution, or (2) the last day of the 118th Congress.

US SB89

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid in a fiscal year until both chambers approve the budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. Retroactive pay is prohibited for such a period.

US HCR117

Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

US HB224

Inaction Has Consequences Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not passed each of the annual appropriations bills before the beginning of the fiscal year, beginning with FY2024. Salaries are released on the earlier of (1) the date on which the chamber of Congress passes the bills, or (2) the last day of the Congress.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.