Bills · HJRES 112
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Joint Res.HJRES 112Economics and Public Finance
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States related to the public debt.
INTRO AUG 15· LAST ACTION AUG 15
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it proposes a fundamental shift in how the U.S. government manages its finances, directly addressing concerns about the national debt and federal spending. If passed, it would introduce a constitutional requirement for fiscal discipline, potentially leading to more balanced budgets over time but also making it harder for the government to respond quickly to economic crises or fund new initiatives without significant spending cuts or state-level approval.
For voters, this could mean a more stable national debt trajectory, but also potentially fewer federal services or increased competition for funding. It empowers state legislatures with a say in national fiscal policy, which could either be seen as a necessary check on federal power or a source of political gridlock when critical funding is needed. The difficulty in raising taxes could be viewed as protecting taxpayers or as handcuffing the government's ability to generate necessary revenue.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Total government spending cannot exceed total government income at any point, unless the difference is covered by compliant debt.
This provision aims to enforce a balanced budget, preventing the government from perpetually spending more than it collects in revenue.
PROVISION 02
The national debt is capped at an 'authorized debt' limit, which can only be increased with approval from a majority of state legislatures.
This shifts significant power over national debt ceiling increases from Congress to state governments, creating a new check on federal borrowing.
PROVISION 03
If the national debt nears its authorized limit, the President must cut specific spending, or Congress must propose alternative cuts; presidential failure is an impeachable offense, and debt above the limit is void.
This creates a strong enforcement mechanism for the debt limit, potentially leading to mandatory spending reductions if the limit is approached.
PROVISION 04
New or increased general revenue taxes require a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to become law.
This would make it much harder for Congress to raise taxes, potentially protecting taxpayers from increases but also making it more difficult to address revenue shortfalls.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Missouri
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
26
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAUG 15
Introduced in House
AUG 15
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Joint Resolution
NumberHJRES 112
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedAug 15, 2025
Last actionAug 15, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED AUG 15, 2025
House Joint Res.HJRES 112Economics and Public Finance
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States related to the public debt.
INTRODUCED AUG 15, 2025· LAST ACTION AUG 15, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
