Balanced Budget Accountability Act
Sponsored By: Senator Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would tie Members' pay to a balanced budget by withholding or cutting salaries until Congress adopts a qualifying budget. It would also require any revenue increase to win an affirmative three‑fifths vote in each chamber.
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- Members of Congress would risk having pay held in escrow during the 119th Congress and could be paid $1 per year in later years until a certified balanced budget is adopted.
- Lawmakers and revenue policy would change because any measure that increases revenue between the Houses would need an affirmative three‑fifths vote, making tax or other revenue increases harder without broad support.
- The bill would define a “balanced budget” starting for fiscal year 2035 as outlays that do not exceed receipts and that are not more than 18% of projected GDP.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New budget cap and Member penalties
If enacted, the bill would define a "balanced budget" for Congress starting in fiscal year 2035. A budget would be balanced only if total outlays do not exceed receipts and are no more than 18% of that year’s projected GDP (as set by the Bureau of Economic Analysis). The bill would also make OMB certify whether a House’s concurrent budget resolution meets that rule. For FY2026 and FY2027, if OMB has not certified by April 16 (April 16, 2025 for FY2026; April 16, 2026 for FY2027), that House must put Members' pay into escrow until certification or the end of the 119th Congress. For FY2028 and later, if OMB has not certified by April 16 the year before, Members of that House would be paid at an annual rate of $1 during pay periods until certification.
Three-fifths vote to raise revenue
If enacted, the bill would require a three-fifths affirmative vote in each House to approve any bill, amendment, or conference report that increases revenue. The rule would apply to both the House and the Senate as part of each House's procedural rules. Each House would still retain the constitutional right to change its own rules later.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov