Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget each fiscal year, with exceptions for declared wars, national emergencies (requiring a 3/5 supermajority), and recessions (when GDP contracts for two consecutive quarters).
Discussion (8)
I work with affected populations and can say firsthand this kind of reform is desperately needed.
The reporting requirements seem excessive for smaller organizations. Add a tiered approach based on size.
I appreciate the ambition but this tries to solve too many problems at once. Could we narrow the scope?
I propose adding a phased implementation schedule to make this more practical.
Add phased implementation timeline
+ Proposed Text
Section 3 amended: "Implementation in three phases over 36 months — Phase 1: entities over 500 employees; Phase 2: 100-500; Phase 3: all remaining."
We tried something similar at the state level and it worked. Federal action would level the playing field.
I'd support this with one change — thresholds should be adjusted for regional cost differences.
This is a bipartisan issue both sides should agree on. Let's not let perfect be the enemy of good.
This is exactly the kind of legislation we need. The current system is broken and this addresses the root causes directly.