H.J.Res. 139 · Where this bill is now
Failed in the House
Failed Mar 18, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProposes requiring a balanced federal budget
This proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit how much money the federal government can spend each year. Spending would be capped at the average amount of money collected in the prior three years, with adjustments for population changes and inflation. Congress could override this limit only with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, or during wartime. The amendment also requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers to pass any bill that creates a new tax or raises tax rates.
How it affects you
This change would affect everyone who uses federal programs or pays federal taxes, but only if the amendment is ratified by the states. It would reshape how Congress budgets money for Social Security, Medicare, defense, infrastructure, and other federal spending. The official summary doesn't spell out exactly how specific programs or tax bills would change for individual Americans.
Read the official summary (Reported to House, Feb 25, 2026)
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total federal expenditures for a year from exceeding the average annual federal receipts collected in the three prior years, adjusted for changes in the population of U.S. citizens and inflation. Expenditures for payment of debt and receipts derived from borrowing are excluded.
Under the amendment, Congress may authorize specific expenditures in excess of the limit with (1) a roll call vote of two-thirds of each chamber, or (2) a roll call vote for any year in which a declaration of war is in effect.
The amendment also prohibits any bill to levy a new tax or increase the rate of any tax from becoming law unless it has been approved by a roll call vote of two-thirds of the whole number of each chamber of Congress.
The requirements take effect in the fifth year beginning after ratification of the amendment.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH.J.Res. 139
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.
Sponsor: Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-5) · Introduced Jan 9, 2026 · Economics and Public Finance · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action 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).”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Mar 18, 2026
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Failed 211–207
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 1 | 207 | 6 |
| Republicans | 210 | 0 | 8 |
1 member voted against most of their party: 1 Democrats voted Yes.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 2 official versions.