Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.
Sponsored By: Representative Buchanan
Introduced
Summary
This joint resolution would add a constitutional article that enforces strict caps on federal spending tied to GDP. It pairs that cap with supermajority rules for tax increases and debt-limit changes and requires the President to propose a budget that fits those limits.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
War or conflict waivers to caps
If ratified, Congress could waive the spending caps and debt‑limit rule during war or a serious military threat. With a declared war, a simple majority in each House could approve a specific excess by roll‑call vote. For other imminent, serious military threats, three‑fifths in each House would need to approve. Any waiver must be limited to the extra spending needed for that conflict. This would start in the fifth fiscal year after ratification.
Debt limit hikes need three-fifths
If ratified, raising the federal debt limit would require a three‑fifths roll‑call vote in each House. This higher bar would start in the fifth fiscal year after ratification.
Spending capped to receipts and GDP
If ratified, yearly federal spending would be capped at the smaller of two numbers. One is total receipts for the year, not counting borrowing. The other is 18% of last year’s U.S. GDP. Congress could go over a limit only with a two‑thirds roll‑call vote in each House for a stated amount. The President would also have to send a budget that stays within these limits. “Receipts” would exclude borrowing, and “outlays” would exclude debt principal payments. These rules would start in the fifth fiscal year after ratification.
New taxes need two-thirds votes
If ratified, any new federal tax or law that raises total revenue would need a two‑thirds roll‑call vote in each House. Raising a tax rate would count toward this rule. Revenue that rises because a tax rate is lowered would not count. This would start in the fifth fiscal year after ratification.
Congress enforces, courts can’t raise taxes
If ratified, Congress could pass laws to enforce these fiscal rules and use estimates of receipts, outlays, and GDP. Courts could not order revenue increases to enforce the article. These rules would start in the fifth fiscal year after ratification.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Buchanan
FL • R
Cosponsors
Fine
FL • R
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in