Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Apr. 12, 2018 | H.J. Res. 2

This resolution, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), would prohibit federal outlays from exceeding receipts, require a three-fifths vote to increase the public debt limit, and direct the President to submit a balanced budget annually to Congress. Proposing a balanced budget amendment after enacting a tax cut that will increase the debt by almost $2 trillion dollars and an omnibus appropriation bill that will further add to our nation’s debt proves that in Washington, D.C. hypocrisy knows no bounds. The truth is that the proponents of H.J. Res. 2 are not motivated by deficit concerns; rather, they are using a deficit they created to force severe budget cuts in programs that will harm the most vulnerable among us, especially seniors, children, veterans and people with disabilities, as well as slash funding for public health and safety, education and medical research. The motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution failed to receive a two-thirds majority on April 12, 2018.

This is Bad for working people.

Vote result: Failed

YEAs: 233
NAYs: 184

Legislator Sort descending State District Party Vote
Rep. Julia Brownley
CA
26 Democrat No
Rep. Vern Buchanan
FL
16 Republican Yes
Rep. Ken Buck
CO
4 Republican Not Voting
Rep. Larry Bucshon
IN
8 Republican Yes
Sen. Ted Budd
NC
Republican Yes
Rep. Michael C. Burgess
TX
26 Republican Yes
Rep. Cheri Bustos
IL
17 Democrat No
Rep. G. K. Butterfield
NC
1 Democrat No
Rep. Bradley Byrne
AL
1 Republican Yes
Rep. Ken Calvert
CA
41 Republican Yes
Rep. Michael E. Capuano
MA
7 Democrat No
Rep. Salud Carbajal
CA
24 Democrat No
Rep. Tony Cárdenas
CA
29 Democrat No
Rep. André Carson
IN
7 Democrat No
Rep. John Carter
TX
31 Republican Yes
Rep. Buddy Carter
GA
1 Republican Yes
Rep. Matt Cartwright
PA
8 Democrat No
Rep. Kathy Castor
FL
14 Democrat No
Rep. Joaquín Castro
TX
20 Democrat No
Rep. Steven J. Chabot
OH
1 Republican Yes