IA

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 90

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget

for the United States Government and for greater accountability in

the enactment of tax legislation.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 25, 2002

Mr. BERRY (for himself, Mr. JOHN, Mr. BOYD, Mr. TURNER, Mr. STENHOLM,

Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi, Ms. HARMAN, Mr. ROSS, Mr.

SANDLIN, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. HILL, Mr. PHELPS, Mr.

LIPINSKI, Mr. BISHOP, Mr. CONDIT, and Mr. EDWARDS) introduced the

following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the

Judiciary

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to provide for

a balanced budget for the United States Government

and for greater accountability in the enactment of tax

legislation.

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two3 thirds of each House concurring therein), That the fol4 lowing article is proposed as an amendment to the Con5 stitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all

6 intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when
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1 ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several

2 States within seven years after the date of its submission

3 for ratification:

4 ‘‘ARTICLE—

5 ‘‘SECTION 1. Total outlays for any fiscal year shall

6 not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year, unless three7 fifths of the whole number of each House of Congress shall

8 provide by law for a specific excess of outlays over receipts

9 by a rollcall vote.

10 ‘‘SECTION 2. The limit on the debt of the United

11 States held by the public shall not be increased, unless

12 three-fifths of the whole number of each House shall pro13 vide by law for an increase by a rollcall vote.

14 ‘‘SECTION 3. Prior to each fiscal year, the President

15 shall transmit to the Congress a proposed budget for the

16 United States Government for that fiscal year, in which

17 total outlays do not exceed total receipts.

18 ‘‘SECTION 4. No bill to increase revenue shall become

19 law unless approved by a majority of the whole number

20 of each House by a rollcall vote.

21 ‘‘SECTION 5. The Congress may waive the provisions

22 of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration

23 of war is in effect. The provisions of this article may be

24 waived for any fiscal year in which the United States is

25 engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and
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1 serious military threat to national security and is so de2 clared by a joint resolution, adopted by three-fifths of the

3 whole number of each House, which becomes law.

4 ‘‘SECTION 6. The Congress shall enforce and imple5 ment this article by appropriate legislation, which may rely

6 on estimates of outlays and receipts.

7 ‘‘SECTION 7. Total receipts shall include all receipts

8 of the United States Government except those derived

9 from borrowing and except receipts (including attributable

10 interest) of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance

11 Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust

12 Fund and any successor funds for which the total balance

13 of funds is not less than zero. Total outlays shall include

14 all outlays of the United States Government except for

15 those for repayment of debt principal and except outlays

16 of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust

17 Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund

18 and any successor funds for which the total balance of

19 funds is not less than zero.

20 ‘‘SECTION 8. This article shall take effect beginning

21 with fiscal year 2008 or with the second fiscal year begin22 ning after its ratification, whichever is later.’’.

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