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. Brett Guthrie
KY
2 Republican Yes
Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez
IL
4 Democrat No
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa
HI
1 Democrat No
Rep. Karen Handel
GA
6 Republican Yes
Rep. Gregg Harper
MS
3 Republican Yes
Rep. Andy Harris
MD
1 Republican Yes
Rep. Vicky Hartzler
MO
4 Republican Yes
Rep. Alcee L. Hastings
FL
20 Democrat No
Rep. Denny Heck 10 Democrat No
Rep. Jeb Hensarling
TX
5 Republican Yes
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler 3 Republican Yes
Rep. Jody Hice
GA
10 Republican Yes
Rep. Brian Higgins
NY
26 Democrat No
Rep. Clay Higgins
LA
3 Republican Yes
Rep. French Hill
AR
2 Republican Yes
Rep. Jim Himes
CT
4 Democrat No
Rep. George Holding
NC
2 Republican Yes
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth
IN
9 Republican Yes
Rep. Steny H. Hoyer
MD
5 Democrat No
Rep. Richard Hudson
NC
9 Republican Yes