H.J.Res.11 - Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution requiring that each agency and department’s funding is justified. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.J.Res.11 proposes a constitutional amendment mandating a balanced federal budget. It requires that total outlays do not exceed total receipts, with exceptions requiring a three-fifths majority vote in each House of Congress. The amendment also necessitates justification for each agency and department's funding requests, including an analysis of their impact on the gross domestic product.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would impose strict fiscal constraints on the federal government. It would require significant changes to the budgetary process, potentially leading to reduced government spending and increased scrutiny of agency budgets. The amendment could also limit the government's ability to respond to economic downturns or national emergencies without supermajority approval.
Potential Benefits
- Could lead to reduced national debt and deficits.
- May promote greater fiscal discipline and accountability in government spending.
- Could encourage more efficient allocation of resources by requiring justification for each agency's funding.
- Could lead to greater transparency in the budget process.
- May foster long-term economic stability by limiting government spending.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could limit the government's ability to respond to economic recessions or emergencies.
- May lead to cuts in essential government programs and services.
- Could create gridlock in Congress due to the requirement for supermajority votes on certain fiscal matters.
- The GDP-based spending limits may be difficult to adjust to changing economic conditions.
- Justifying each line item may create bureaucratic overhead.
Constitutional Alignment
The proposal to amend the Constitution aligns with the amendment process outlined in Article V. It requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to propose the amendment, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states. The specific provisions regarding budget limitations and revenue increases could be seen as limiting the powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).