US Congress House Joint Resolution 17 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: Introduced on January 12 2015 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2015-01-22 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Pending: House Subcommittee on the Constitution And Civil Justice Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget. This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment prohibits total outlays for any fiscal year from exceeding 18% of the gross domestic product of the United States, unless two-thirds of each house of Congress provides for a specific increase above this amount. The amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress to impose a new tax, increase the statutory rate of any tax, or increase the aggregate amount of revenue. It requires a three-fifths vote of each chamber to increase the limit on the debt of the United States. The President is required to submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts and 18% of the gross domestic product of the United States. The amendment prohibits a court from ordering a revenue increase to enforce the requirements. Congress is authorized to waive specified requirements when a declaration of war is in effect or the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.

Rep. Vern Buchanan [R-FL]

Rep. Billy Long [R-MO]

Date	Chamber	Action
2015-01-22	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
2015-01-12	House	Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2015-01-12	House	Introduced in House

HJR4 (Related) 2015-01-12 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
HJR12 (Related) 2015-01-12 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
HJR17 (Related) 2015-01-22 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
SJR6 (Same As) 2016-03-16 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-joint-resolution/17/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hjres17/BILLS-114hjres17ih.pdf