Bill

HJRES 11

.Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution requiring that each agency and department's funding is justified.

119th Congress Introduced by Michael Cloud and 4 co-sponsors

HJRES 11 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget, limiting spending and ensuring accountability from agencies and Congress.

Introduced in House

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · HJRES 11

Summary of HJRES 11: Balanced Budget Amendment Proposal

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HJRES 11
Title: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution requiring that each agency and department's funding is justified.
Status: Introduced in House
Introduced Date: January 03, 2025
Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HJRES 11 aims to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution that mandates a balanced federal budget. The primary intent of this amendment is to ensure that total federal outlays do not exceed total federal receipts for any given fiscal year, thereby promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability in government spending.

Key Provisions

The proposed amendment includes several critical provisions:

Balanced Budget Requirement:
- Total outlays for any fiscal year must not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year.
- Exceptions can be made if three-fifths of both Houses of Congress approve a specific excess of outlays over receipts through a rollcall vote.
Spending Limits:
- For the first fiscal year after the amendment takes effect, total outlays cannot exceed 20% of the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United States for that year.
- For subsequent fiscal years, the allowable percentage of GDP for total outlays will decrease by 0.1 percentage points each year.
- Total spending for any fiscal year cannot be less than 16% of the estimated GDP.
Ratification Process:
- The amendment will become valid once ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years of its submission for ratification.

Affected Parties

The amendment would impact various stakeholders, including:
- Federal Agencies and Departments: Each agency will need to justify its funding based on the new requirements.
- Congress: Lawmakers will have to navigate stricter budgetary constraints and may need to collaborate more closely to approve any excess spending.
- State Legislatures: States will play a crucial role in the ratification process, as they must approve the amendment for it to take effect.

Legislative Actions

January 03, 2025: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.

Related Bills

HJRES 11 has several companion bills, including:
- HJRES 2
- HJRES 10
- HJRES 17

Conclusion

HJRES 11 represents a significant shift towards fiscal conservatism by proposing a constitutional amendment that enforces a balanced budget. If ratified, it would impose strict limitations on federal spending, requiring greater accountability from government agencies and Congress alike. The bill is currently under consideration in the House, with potential implications for federal fiscal policy and governance.

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