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HJRES229FEDERALIN_COMMITTEE
High Impact

Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Limit Federal Debt and Taxes

Original title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States related to the public debt.

December 19, 2024

federal debtconstitutional amendmentfiscal policytaxationcongressional authority

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

If ratified, this amendment would fundamentally shift federal fiscal control by requiring state legislatures to approve federal debt increases and creating a high threshold for new tax legislation, potentially limiting the federal government's ability to borrow or raise revenue during economic crises.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

State legislatures

They are granted the authority to approve or disapprove federal debt increases and must ratify the amendment for it to take effect.

President of the United States

The office is mandated to enforce debt limits through the impoundment of federal expenditures and faces potential impeachment for failure to do so.

Congress

The body is subject to new supermajority requirements for tax legislation and must seek state approval for debt increases.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This resolution proposes a new constitutional amendment that would strictly limit federal debt, require state legislative approval for debt increases, and mandate a two-thirds congressional vote to raise es. If ratified, the amendment would force the President to impound federal spending if debt levels approach the legal limit.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

If ratified, this amendment would fundamentally shift federal fiscal control by requiring state legislatures to approve federal debt increases and creating a high threshold for new tax legislation, potentially limiting the federal government's ability to borrow or raise revenue during economic crises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if Congress needs to increase the debt limit?
Congress must refer a single-subject measure to state legislatures, and a simple majority of those legislatures must approve the increase.
Can the President stop spending if the debt limit is reached?
Yes, the amendment requires the President to designate specific expenditures for (not spending) if outstanding debt exceeds 98 percent of the authorized limit.
Does this change how taxes are passed?
Yes, it requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress for any new or increased , unless that tax replaces all existing income taxes.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Shift to State-Level Debt Control

The resolution proposes a major departure from current practice by requiring state legislatures to approve federal debt increases.

CongressState legislatures

Connected Entities

organizationState Legislatures“Required to approve increases in authorized debt”Map →
personBurlison“Submitted the joint resolution”Map →
organizationCongress“Responsible for enacting legislation and approving debt increases”Map →
organizationUnited States Government“Throughout the document, referring to the government's finances and obligations”Map →
organizationHouse of Representatives“One chamber of Congress involved in the resolution's consideration”Map →
personPresident“Has the power to enforce the debt limit through impoundment”Map →
organizationSenate“One chamber of Congress involved in the resolution's consideration”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance95
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy85
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment40
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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