House falls short of two-thirds on the Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
MAR 18, 2026 · 5:34 PM ET
Party-line vote, except 1 Democrat who crossed. 68 votes short of the 279 needed.
Suspension needs two-thirds. A bill that fails this way can still pass later by a simple majority.
WHAT IS SUSPENSION →Suspension needs two-thirds. A bill that fails this way can still pass later by a simple majority.
WHAT IS SUSPENSION →What the House was voting on
The House voted on whether to pass H.J.Res. 139 under the fast-track suspension procedure. The joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit annual federal spending based on average receipts over the prior three years, adjusted for population and inflation, and require two-thirds votes in each chamber for tax increases. It fell 68 votes short of the 279 needed.
Pass H.J.Res. 139 under the House fast-track procedure requiring two-thirds approval.
Do not pass H.J.Res. 139 under the fast-track procedure.
Limits federal spending through a formula tied to recent receipts and requires two-thirds votes in each chamber for tax increases.
Failed in the House 211–207 on March 18, 2026, 273 days after it was introduced.
- SUSPENSION
- Suspending the rules lets the House pass a bill fast, with no amendments and 40 minutes of debate, if two-thirds agree.
279 is two-thirds of the 418 members voting yes or no. Members voting “present” or absent don’t count.
- SUSPENSION
- Suspending the rules lets the House pass a bill fast, with no amendments and 40 minutes of debate, if two-thirds agree.
Party line, with 1 Democrat crossing1 Democrat crossed. It wasn’t enough.
Every vote on H.J.Res. 139, in both chambersEvery vote on H.J.Res. 139
- FEB 25Reported by JudiciaryREPORTED16–10
- MAR 18#95THIS VOTESuspend the rules and passFAILED211–20768 votes short of the 279 needed.
Coverage of this vote and its bill3 stories from 3 outlets
Lean describes the outlets, not the vote.
