HJRES 139 · failed · major
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.
- government reform
What this bill does
- Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget each year.
- Affects Congress, which would need a two-thirds vote to spend above the limit or raise taxes.
- Takes effect five years after ratification; allows exceptions during wars and for debt payments.
Generated by claude-haiku-4-5
Community Threads
Started by Cosponsor
- 01
How would a requirement to balance the budget annually affect Congress's ability to respond to economic recessions or unexpected crises like natural disasters?
- 02
What trade-offs might emerge between funding different federal programs if spending must equal revenue each year?
- 03
During the five-year implementation period, how would the government manage the transition while potentially carrying existing deficits?
Cosponsor writes these to seed civic discussion — they aren't user posts. Sign in to reply.

Sponsor · R-AZ-5
Andy Biggs
Citizen cosponsors
0
In Congress
2/ 435
House Reps cosponsoring
Introduced 2026-03-18
Joining the bill
Legislative timeline
2026-03-18 · house · Floor
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
2026-03-18 · Floor
Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
2026-03-18 · house · Floor
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2583-2584)
2026-03-18 · house · Floor
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2026-03-18 · house · Floor
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139
2026-03-18 · house · Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2560-2568; text: CR H2560-2561)
2026-03-18 · house · Floor
Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
2026-02-25 · house · Calendars
Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
2026-02-25 · house · Committee
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
2026-02-25 · Committee
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
2026-02-03 · house · Committee
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.
2026-02-03 · house · Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2026-01-09 · house · IntroReferral
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2026-01-09 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
2026-01-09 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
Citizen comments
Sign in to comment on this bill.
No comments yet — be the first.