S.J.Res. 97 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Nov 20, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProposes balanced budget amendment to Constitution
This joint resolution would change the U.S. Constitution to require that federal spending and income be balanced. Basically, the government wouldn't be allowed to spend more money than it takes in, though the balance could happen over time rather than in a single year. Congress would have 10 years after the amendment is approved to reach that balance. The only exception is in emergencies, when Congress could approve extra spending if two-thirds of both the House and Senate agree, but any debt from those emergency funds would need to be paid back as soon as possible.
How it affects you
This would fundamentally change how Congress handles federal spending and taxes. If it became law, major decisions about government programs, benefits, and services could shift based on the requirement to balance the budget. However, this is a constitutional amendment proposal, which means it would need to be approved by voters and state legislatures before it could actually take effect, so it's not something that would happen right away.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Nov 20, 2025)
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that requires federal expenditures and receipts to be balanced, which may occur over more than one year.
Under the amendment, expenditures include all federal expenditures except those for payment of debt. Receipts do not include receipts derived from borrowing.
The amendment requires Congress to achieve balance within 10 years of the ratification of the amendment.
In an emergency situation, Congress may authorize additional expenditures that are not otherwise permitted by the amendment if two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate agree to pass the bill. The additional expenditures must be for a limited time, and debts incurred from the expenditures must be paid as soon as practicable.
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.
1st SessionS.J.Res. 97
JOINT RESOLUTION
A joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) · Introduced Nov 20, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Nov 20, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”