IA
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. J. RES. 9
Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 5, 1993
Mr. BARTON of Texas (for himself, Mr. TAUZIN, Mr. ALLARD, Mr. ARCHER,
Mr. ARMEY, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. BLILEY, Mr. BOEHNER, Mr. BUNNING,
Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. COBLE, Mr. COX, Mr. CRANE, Mr. CRAPO,
Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. DUNCAN,
Mr. EMERSON, Mr. EWING, Ms. FOWLER, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. GALLO,
Mr. GINGRICH, Mr. GOODLATTE, Mr. GOSS, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr.
HANCOCK, Mr. HANSEN, Mr. HASTERT, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. HYDE, Mr.
ISTOOK, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. KASICH, Mr. KOLBE, Mr.
LIGHTFOOT, Mr. LIVINGSTON, Mr. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MCCRERY, Mr.
MOORHEAD, Mr. OXLEY, Mr. PACKARD, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. QUILLEN,
Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. SAXTON, Mr. SCHAEFER, Mr.
SKEEN, Mr. SMITH of Oregon, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. SOLOMON, Mr.
STEARNS, Mr. TALENT, Mr. UPTON, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. ZELIFF,
Mr. ZIMMER, Mr. DELAY, Mr. COMBEST, Mrs. VUCANOVICH, Mr. FIELDS
of Texas, Mr. BONILLA, Mr. FRANKS of Connecticut, Mr. HAYES, Mr.
HERGER, Mr. PORTER, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SMITH of Michigan,
and Mr. HEFLEY) introduced the following joint resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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That the following article is proposed as an amendment
to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitu-
tion if ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
several States within seven years after its submission to
the States for ratification:
‘‘ARTICLE —
‘‘SECTION 1. Prior to each fiscal year, Congress shall
adopt a statement of receipts and outlays for such fiscal
year in which total outlays are not greater than total re-
ceipts. Congress may amend such statement provided re-
vised outlays are not greater than revised receipts. Con-
gress may provide in such statement for a specific excess
of outlays over receipts by a vote directed solely to that
subject in which three-fifths of the whole number of each
House agree to such excess. Congress and the President
shall ensure that actual outlays do not exceed the outlays
set forth in such statement.
‘‘SECTION 2. Total receipts for any fiscal year set
forth in the statement adopted pursuant to the first sec-
tion of this Article shall not increase by a rate greater
than the rate of increase in national income in the second
prior fiscal year, unless a three-fifths majority of the whole
number of each House of Congress shall have passed a
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bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts
and such bill has become law.
‘‘SECTION 3. Prior to each fiscal year, the President
shall transmit to Congress a proposed statement of re-
ceipts and outlays for such fiscal year consistent with the
provisions of this Article.
‘‘SECTION 4. Congress may waive the provisions of
this Article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of
war is in effect.
‘‘SECTION 5. Total receipts shall include all receipts
of the United States except those derived from borrowing
and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United
States except those for the repayment of debt principal.
‘‘SECTION 6. The amount of Federal public debt as
of the first day of the second fiscal year beginning after
the ratification of this Article shall become a permanent
limit on such debt and there shall be no increase in such
amount unless three-fifths of the whole number of each
House of Congress shall have passed a bill approving such
increase and such bill has become law.
‘‘SECTION 7. Congress shall enforce and implement
this Article by appropriate legislation.
‘‘SECTION 8. This Article shall take effect for the fis-
cal year 1997 or for the second fiscal year beginning after
its ratification, whichever is later.’’.