Balanced Budget Act of 1995

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 31, 1996

Balanced Budget Act of 1995 - Prohibits issuing any obligation subject to the limitation (under specified provisions of Federal law relating to the public debt limit) after December 31, 2001, except an obligation issued to refund an obligation issued before January 1, 2002. Provides for the suspension of that prohibition on the enactment of a joint resolution declaring a national emergency. Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, an increase in the public debt limit shall not be effective if it makes the limit greater than: (1) $5.432 trillion between October 1, 1997, and September 30, 1999; or (2) $5.908 trillion after September 30, 1999.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Smith, Nick [R-MI-7] · R–MI

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 31, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jan 31, 1996
Introduced in House
Jan 31, 1996
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 31, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2920 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.

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Discuss H.R.2920, 104th Congress: Balanced Budget Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2920

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2920/BILLS-104hr2920ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:15:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2920 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2920 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.

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Discuss H.R.2920, 104th Congress: Balanced Budget Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2920

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2920/BILLS-104hr2920ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:15:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2920 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2920 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2920, 104th Congress: Balanced Budget Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2920

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2920/BILLS-104hr2920ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:15:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2920 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2920 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2920, 104th Congress: Balanced Budget Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2920

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2920/BILLS-104hr2920ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:15:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2920 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.