PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-512.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 5, 2011
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts.
Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each chamber by rollcall vote. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
People & committees
Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] · R–VA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-512.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 261 - 165 (Roll no. 858).
House roll call 858 · Individual votesFailed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 261 - 165 (Roll no. 858).
House roll call 858 · Individual votesDEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.J. Res. 2. When proceedings were postponed on Thursday, November 17, 2011, 2 hours and 42 minutes of debate remained.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7841-7874)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to section 2 of H. Res. 466, further consideration of this motion is postponed.
DEBATE - The House continued with debate on H.J. Res. 2.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 466, the House proceeded with 5 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 2.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7782-7805; text of measure as introduced: CR H7782)
Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended.
Rule H. Res. 466 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 466 Reported to House. The resolution authorizes the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of Friday, November 18, 2011, relating to H.J.Res. 2, proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The resolution provides that debate on such a motion shall be extended to five hours. Finally, the resolution provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of such a motion pursuant to the resolution to a time designated by the Speaker.
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Dec 4, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.J.Res.2 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.J.Res.2 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.J.Res.2 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.J.Res.2 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.