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S.J.Res.10 / 112th Congress

Joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 229.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 31, 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 two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts.

Prohibits total outlays for any fiscal year from exceeding 18% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the preceding calendar year unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess over such 18%.

Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill from becoming law that imposes a new tax or increases the statutory rate of any tax or the aggregate amount of revenue, unless approved by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber to increase the federal debt limit. Authorizes waivers of these requirements: (1) when a declaration of war is in effect against a nation-state and Congress, by a majority roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess; or (2) under other specified circumstances involving military conflict, if Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes such waiver. Prohibits a federal or state court from ordering any increase in revenue to enforce this article.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
47 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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

  1. Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 229.

    Senate roll call 229 · Individual votes
  2. Failed of passage/not agreed to in Senate: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 229.

    Senate roll call 229 · Individual votes
  3. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S8565-8567)

  4. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8507-8508, S8508-8540)

  5. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent as pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011.

  6. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent as pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011.

  7. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  8. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.J.Res.10 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.J.Res.10 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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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.J.Res.10 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.J.Res.10 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.

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