US EditionU.S. House tanks balanced budget amendment as national debt tops $39T
The amendment failed despite rising concerns over $1.8 trillion deficit and $1 trillion interest payments, as lawmakers debate fiscal stability and entitlement program impacts.
- On Wednesday, the U.S. House failed to ratify a balanced budget amendment after a 211-207 vote fell short of the required supermajority, with eight and six voting members not voting.
- Biggs' amendment would have capped annual spending at the three-year average of revenues, adjusted for population and inflation, excluding debt payments and wartime spending, longtime fiscal hawks championed it.
- CBO and committee data underline the fiscal strain as federal spending pushed the national debt past roughly $3 trillion, net interest reached $1.03 trillion in 2025, and the CBO reported about $1 trillion deficits early fiscal 2026.
- Opponents warned the amendment would jeopardize entitlement programs, while Rep. Henry Cuellar was the sole Democrat to support it, amid warnings from Jodey Arrington .
- Revived, the amendment faces high constitutional hurdles, requiring U.S. Senate approval and three-fourths state ratification, and analysts including the CBO director and the Federal Reserve chairman warn of long-term economic risks.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Balanced budget amendment fails to advance in House
The House failed to pass a measure that would propose amending the Constitution to require the federal government to have a balanced budget, a measure offered by conservatives to address the ever-increasing national debt. The House voted 211-207 in favor of the proposal introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ). The vote took place under a process that required a supermajority for approval. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was the sole Democrat to cross par…
Americans for Prosperity Statement on Upcoming House Vote on a Next-Generation Balanced Budget Amendment
Arlington, VA — Americans for Prosperity (AFP) issued the following statement ahead of Wednesday’s expected vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on H.J.Res.139, a proposed constitutional balanced budget amendment. “Washington’s spending problem and broader dysfunction have placed an unsustainable burden on taxpayers and future generations,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity. “This next-generation balanced …
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