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Reading the bill…
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Current Status
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsor
Brian Fitzpatrick
Introduced
May 4, 2026
How far this bill has traveled through Congress
Introduced
Committee
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
President
Enacted
Introduced
Bill filed in chamber
Committee
Reviewed & reported
Passed Chamber
House or Senate vote
Passed Both
House & Senate agree
President
Sent to White House
Enacted
Signed into law
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
This bill proposes an amendment to the US Constitution that requires the government to balance its budget every year. If a two-thirds majority in both Congress agrees, they can allow for an exception to this rule for specific years. The goal of this bill is to promote fiscal responsibility and ensure the long-term solvency of the US government.
This bill could impact everyday Americans by promoting responsible government spending and reducing the risk of debt. It may also influence how Congress approaches budget decisions and prioritizes spending.
No position data available yet
Source: cosponsors
No position data available yet
Source: cosponsors
Cosponsor data and vote records sourced from Congress.gov. Reflects formal legislative actions only — not editorial opinion.
Based on analysis of 33 representatives' public statements and voting records
While the scraped website content doesn't explicitly mention this specific bill, Elizabeth Warren's known policy positions strongly suggest opposition to a balanced budget amendment. Warren is a progressive Democrat who has consistently advocated for robust government spending on social programs, infrastructure, and economic stimulus. A balanced budget amendment would severely constrain government's ability to implement such policies, particularly during recessions when deficit spending is economically necessary. Her focus on issues like student debt relief, healthcare expansion, and social safety nets all require significant federal spending that a balanced budget requirement would limit. Progressive Democrats typically oppose balanced budget amendments as economically restrictive, and Warren's legislative priorities and public statements align with this opposition.
Senator Murray's social media posts and public statements directly criticize Republican approaches to the budget deficit, arguing that Republicans 'blow up the debt on war and tax cuts for billionaires' and that 'there are no Republican deficit hawks anymore.' She emphasizes spending on social programs like healthcare and food assistance. A balanced budget amendment would severely constrain government spending on these priorities and limit flexibility during economic downturns. As a Democratic senator and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray typically opposes constitutional balanced budget amendments, which are traditionally championed by Republicans and opposed by Democrats who view them as constraining necessary social spending and economic stimulus. Her focus on protecting healthcare access, supporting working families, and criticizing cuts to social programs is fundamentally at odds with the restrictive fiscal framework a balanced budget amendment would impose.
Mike Lee's website content demonstrates a consistent focus on reducing government spending and limiting federal government scope. His introduction of legislation to 'repeal inflated government spending models' and his co-sponsorship of bills to cut financial red tape for small businesses align well with the fiscal responsibility principles underlying a balanced budget amendment. As a conservative Republican senator, Lee's general policy positions on government spending reduction and constitutional limits on federal power strongly correlate with support for a balanced budget amendment. While there is no explicit statement about this specific bill on the scraped content, his demonstrated voting pattern and policy priorities make strong support highly likely.
Jeff Merkley is a Democratic senator whose website content shows he actively supports federal spending on infrastructure, environmental projects, education programs (TRIO), healthcare, and community resilience. He frequently announces federal grants and investments, advocating for robust government spending. A balanced budget amendment would severely constrain such spending. Additionally, Merkley's party affiliation (Democrat) and the prominence of progressive spending initiatives in his legislative work indicate ideological opposition to fiscal constraints that a balanced budget amendment would impose. While the scraped content doesn't explicitly mention this specific bill, his policy priorities and party stance strongly suggest opposition to constitutional restrictions on federal spending.
Rand Paul has consistently advocated for fiscal conservatism and reducing government spending. The website prominently displays the national debt ($31.3 trillion), indicating a focus on fiscal responsibility. His sponsored legislation includes the 'Audit the Fed,' 'REINS Act,' and 'Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act' - all aimed at government accountability and reducing waste. A balanced budget amendment aligns perfectly with Paul's libertarian-conservative philosophy of limiting government spending and fiscal constraint. As a Republican senator with a strong track record of supporting fiscal discipline measures, he would very likely support a constitutional balanced budget amendment. While no explicit statement about this specific bill appears in the scraped content, the pattern of his legislative priorities and public focus on the national debt strongly suggest support.
Bernie Sanders is a democratic socialist who has consistently opposed balanced budget amendments throughout his career. His political ideology emphasizes government investment in social programs, infrastructure, and public services—positions fundamentally at odds with constitutional balanced budget requirements that would severely constrain government spending. Sanders has historically voted against similar balanced budget proposals in the Senate. While the scraped website content doesn't explicitly mention this specific bill, his well-documented policy positions on expansive government programs, progressive taxation, and social investment are directly contradictory to the fiscal constraints a balanced budget amendment would impose. His party affiliation (Independent/Democratic caucus) also aligns with Democratic opposition to such amendments.
Rick Scott is a Republican senator who emphasizes fiscal responsibility and government accountability. The scraped content shows recurring focus on 'Washington Waste Wednesday' and mentions his background as a businessman who 'understands and appreciates innovation and hard work.' These themes align strongly with support for a balanced budget amendment, which is a core conservative fiscal policy position. As a Republican senator, Scott would typically support constitutional measures promoting fiscal constraint. While the content doesn't explicitly mention this specific bill, the consistent emphasis on waste reduction and fiscal responsibility, combined with typical GOP support for balanced budget amendments, indicates strong probable support.
Brian Schatz is a Democratic Senator from Hawaii. The scraped content shows concern about government spending priorities and criticism of Republican fiscal policies (e.g., 'Republicans Are Spending $70 Billion On Rogue Agency'). However, this criticism is about how money is spent, not about balanced budget requirements. Democratic senators typically oppose constitutional balanced budget amendments because they: (1) constrain fiscal policy flexibility during economic crises, (2) limit the government's ability to invest in social programs and infrastructure, and (3) can force austerity measures that harm vulnerable populations. Schatz's focus on disaster recovery assistance, cost of living concerns, and social programs aligns with traditional Democratic opposition to rigid balanced budget mandates. While the content doesn't explicitly address this specific bill, his party affiliation and policy priorities strongly suggest opposition.
While the scraped website content doesn't explicitly discuss this specific balanced budget amendment bill, several factors indicate strong rejection: (1) Schumer is a Democratic Senator, and Democrats have historically opposed balanced budget amendments as they constrain fiscal policy flexibility needed for social programs and economic stimulus; (2) As Senate Majority Leader (during Democratic control periods), Schumer has consistently opposed Republican-sponsored balanced budget amendments; (3) The Democratic party platform generally opposes constitutional balanced budget requirements, preferring discretionary fiscal policy; (4) No indication in available materials suggests Schumer supports this measure. Confidence is not higher due to lack of explicit statements in the provided content about this specific bill.
Senator Whitehouse is a Democrat from Rhode Island with a progressive voting record. The scraped content describes him as 'a fierce advocate for progressive values' focused on climate change, clean energy, Medicare, Social Security, and holding the powerful accountable. Balanced budget amendments are typically opposed by Democrats because they: (1) constrain government spending on social programs and investments Democrats prioritize, (2) could force austerity measures during recessions, and (3) are generally viewed as economically inflexible. While the content doesn't explicitly address this specific bill, Whitehouse's documented progressive priorities and party affiliation strongly suggest opposition to fiscal constraints that would limit spending on the social and climate initiatives he champions. Democratic senators rarely support balanced budget amendments.