Legis Daily

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

USA119th CongressHJRES-139| House 
| Updated: 3/18/2026
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Cosponsors (2)
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican)Josh Brecheen (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a balanced budget requirement for the Federal Government. It stipulates that total annual expenditures generally cannot exceed the average annual receipts collected in the three prior years, with adjustments for population changes and inflation. This limit specifically excludes debt payments from expenditures and receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment provides specific exceptions, allowing Congress to exceed the expenditure limit through a two-thirds roll call vote in both Houses for particular spending or during a declared war. Furthermore, any bill to levy a new tax or increase an existing tax rate would also require approval by a two-thirds majority of each House of Congress. This article would take effect five years after its ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
Jan 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 3, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.
Feb 3, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 25, 2026
Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
Feb 25, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
Mar 18, 2026
Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
Mar 18, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mar 18, 2026
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139
Mar 18, 2026
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.
Mar 18, 2026
Considered as unfinished business.
Mar 18, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
View Vote
  • January 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 9, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • February 3, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.


  • February 3, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 25, 2026
    Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.


  • February 25, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.


  • March 18, 2026
    Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.


  • March 18, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • March 18, 2026
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139


  • March 18, 2026
    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.


  • March 18, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business.


  • March 18, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
    View Vote

Economics and Public Finance

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

USA119th CongressHJRES-139| House 
| Updated: 3/18/2026
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a balanced budget requirement for the Federal Government. It stipulates that total annual expenditures generally cannot exceed the average annual receipts collected in the three prior years, with adjustments for population changes and inflation. This limit specifically excludes debt payments from expenditures and receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment provides specific exceptions, allowing Congress to exceed the expenditure limit through a two-thirds roll call vote in both Houses for particular spending or during a declared war. Furthermore, any bill to levy a new tax or increase an existing tax rate would also require approval by a two-thirds majority of each House of Congress. This article would take effect five years after its ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 3, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.
Feb 3, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 25, 2026
Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
Feb 25, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
Mar 18, 2026
Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
Mar 18, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mar 18, 2026
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139
Mar 18, 2026
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.
Mar 18, 2026
Considered as unfinished business.
Mar 18, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
View Vote
  • January 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 9, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • February 3, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.


  • February 3, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 25, 2026
    Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.


  • February 25, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.


  • March 18, 2026
    Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.


  • March 18, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • March 18, 2026
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139


  • March 18, 2026
    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.


  • March 18, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business.


  • March 18, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
    View Vote
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Cosponsors (2)
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican)Josh Brecheen (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Economics and Public Finance

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted