House vote: H.J.Res. 2 // April 12, 2018Needed two-thirds to pass
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Sponsor: ROBERT GOODLATTE (R-VA)
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber of Congress to increase the public debt limit.
Economics and Public Finance Topic assigned by the Congressional Research Service.
Who won, and how much of the country was behind them
The dotted gap is 4.1% of U.S. adults whose member did not vote, voted “present,” or whose seat was vacant.
| Side | Outcome | Votes | Share of U.S. adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nay | Won | 184 | 42.5% |
| Yea | Lost | 233 | 53.5% |
| Not represented on this question | No position taken | 0 | 4.1% |