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

What the bill would do

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service. Last updated Feb 26, 2026.

• BillFull text · congress.gov(opens in a new tab)
• Roll callclerk.house.gov vote #95(opens in a new tab)