119th Congress · introduced in the House · Jan 9, 2026
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest 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).
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Economics and Public Finance
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Reported to House (Feb 25, 2026) · 2 versions published
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.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
House · Mar 18, 2026 · Roll call 95 · Failed
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95). Roll call details
Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95). Roll call details
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2583-2584)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2560-2568; text: CR H2560-2561)
Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Budget deficits and national debt · Budget process · Constitution and constitutional amendments · Legislative rules and procedure
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsIntroduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 24, 2026.
12 citations.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$190,000
Spent on own lobbying
…O requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to o…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$310,000
Spent on own lobbying
…amendment to the Constitution of the United States. H. J. Res. 112, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States related to the public debt. H. J. Res. 139, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government. H.R. 182, Default Prevention Act H.R.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · lobbying firm or registrant: MARIA FREESE
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 18, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…O requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to o…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$340,000
Spent on own lobbying
…amendment to the Constitution of the United States. H. J. Res. 112, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States related to the public debt. H. J. Res. 139, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government. H.R. 182, Default Prevention Act H.R.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$210,000
Spent on own lobbying
…O requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to o…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · lobbying firm or registrant: MARIA FREESE
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 19, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…O requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to o…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$490,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ndment to Senate Amendment) Disaster relief for schools Monitor the following: Appropriations, FY2025, Administration funding freezes/recissions; and generally H.J.Res.139, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government, Entirety
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$190,000
Spent on own lobbying
…O requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to o…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · lobbying firm or registrant: MARIA FREESE
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…O requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to o…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SOCIAL SECURITY WORKS · lobbying firm or registrant: PORT SIDE STRATEGIES, LLC
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 17, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Issues related to funding for the Social Security Administration. Issues related to funding for Medicaid. H.J.Res.139 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government. - opposed.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 13, 2026 · issue area: Budget/Appropriations
$310,000
Spent on own lobbying
…amendment to the Constitution of the United States. H. J. Res. 112, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States related to the public debt. H. J. Res. 139, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government. H.R. 182, Default Prevention Act H.R.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
COUNCIL FOR CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE · lobbying firm or registrant: COUNCIL FOR CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 13, 2026 · issue area: Constitution
$260,000
Spent on own lobbying
Support H.J. Res. 139
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing