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119th Congress Economics and Public Finance

H.J.Res. 139: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.

ReportedFeb 25, 2026

  1. Introduced (completed)Jan 9, 2026
  2. Passed House (not reached)
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Reported to House, Feb 25, 2026

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.

Read the full summary

The requirements take effect in the fifth year beginning after ratification of the amendment.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Mar 18, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Failed 211–207

Yea 211two-thirds 279Nay 207

  • Democrats1 yea, 207 nay
  • Republicans209 yea, 0 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Henry Cuellar (D-TX) voted Yea

See how all 418 members voted

Showing 432 of 432 members

Yea 211

Republicans (209)

Democrats (1) broke with their party

Independents (1)

Nay 207

Democrats (207)

Not voting 14

Senate

Not yet voted

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Mar 18, 2026HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and PassFinal passageFailed, yea-nay 211–207
    Roll call 95 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats120706
    Republicans209008
    Independents1000
    Total211207014

    House roll call 95: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass. Failed.

    1 crossed party lines: 1 Democrat

    How each member voted (432)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

2

Who scored on this bill

38 points earned
  1. 1Andy Biggs R-AZ SponsorIntroduced, marked up, reported3 events+32
  2. 2Henry Cuellar D-TX1 maverick vote1 event+6
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Andy Biggs

History

  1. Jan 9, 2026Introduced in the House by Andy Biggs.
Show the full action history (13 actions)
  1. Mar 18, 2026Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
  2. Mar 18, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2560-2568; text: CR H2560-2561)
  3. Mar 18, 2026DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1115, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 139
  4. Mar 18, 2026At 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.
  5. Mar 18, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2583-2584)
  6. Mar 18, 2026Failed 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).
  7. Mar 18, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 211 - 207 (Roll no. 95).
  8. Feb 25, 2026Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-520.
  9. Feb 25, 2026Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
  10. Feb 3, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  11. Feb 3, 2026Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 10.
  12. Jan 9, 2026Introduced in House
  13. Jan 9, 2026Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.