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Bill

Bill

S 45

Balanced Budget Accountability Act

119th Congress Introduced by Steve Daines

Aims to balance the federal budget and hold Congress accountable for annual deficits, strengthening budget discipline and debt control.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 45

Balanced Budget Accountability Act (S. 45)

Overview

  • Bill: S 45, Balanced Budget Accountability Act
  • Status: Introduced in Senate on January 9, 2025; Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
  • Sponsor: Senator Steve Daines (primary)

Purpose and Intent

The introduced bill sets out a policy goal of balancing the federal budget and strengthens the framework for congressional accountability related to budget decisions. The introductory text emphasizes the large and growing federal debt, chronic deficits, and the belief that Congress should adopt policies to promote robust economic growth while ensuring accountability when annual budgets are not balanced.

Key Provisions (as introduced)

  • Citation: The Act may be cited as the Balanced Budget Accountability Act.
  • Findings (scope and rationale):
    • The federal debt exceeds $36 trillion and is larger than the U.S. economy.
    • The federal budget has shown a deficit in 55 of the last 60 years.
    • Persistent deficits threaten economic confidence, job creation, and living standards for future generations.
    • Members of Congress have a duty to develop policies, including a balanced budget, to support economic growth.
    • Members should be held accountable for failing to pass annual balanced budgets.
  • Legislative actions to date (introduced text only): The bill was introduced and subsequently read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Note on enforceable measures: The provided version focuses on findings and statements of duty. No specific statutory mechanisms (e.g., mandatory balanced-budget requirements, penalties, or automatic adjustments) are detailed in the text supplied. Any concrete tools or procedures would appear in later amendments or sections not included here.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary affected actors: Members of Congress and the congressional budgeting process.
  • Potential implications: Signals a legislative emphasis on budget balance and accountability in budgeting debates. If additional provisions are added later, it could shape how deficits are addressed, how budget decisions are evaluated, and how accountability mechanisms are implemented.

Legislative History and Next Steps

  • Introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2025.
  • Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on the same day.
  • Next steps would involve committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor action.

Sponsor

  • Primary sponsor: Senator Steve Daines

If you’d like, I can compare this bill’s stated goals with existing budget rules or with similar balanced-budget proposals to provide context on potential practical effects once more provisions are added.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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