summary
Introduced
01/08/2019
01/08/2019
In Committee
01/08/2019
01/08/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
To reduce a portion of the annual pay of Members of Congress for the failure to adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget which does not provide for a balanced budget, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), upon adoption by a chamber of Congress of a concurrent budget resolution for a fiscal year, to certify to the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President pro tempore of the Senate whether that chamber has adopted a balanced budget. Balanced budget means a concurrent budget resolution providing that for FY2027 and each succeeding fiscal year to which the resolution applies total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are not more than 18% of the gross domestic product for such fiscal year. The bill requires the salary of Members of Congress to be held in escrow if OMB determines a chamber has not adopted a balanced budget for FY2020 before April 16, 2019, and for FY2021 before April 16, 2020. The bill also provides for the release of such funds to the Members. Beginning in FY2022, if OMB does not certify that a chamber has adopted a balanced budget before April 16 of the prior fiscal year, each Member of that chamber shall be paid $1 annually for pay periods beginning on April 16 of the prior fiscal year and ending on the earlier of the date on which OMB certifies that the chamber has adopted a balanced budget for such fiscal year, or the last day of the calendar year in which such period begins. This bill requires legislation in either chamber that increases revenue to be agreed upon only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of that chamber.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, aims to hold members of Congress accountable for failing to pass annual budgets that result in a balanced budget. The key provisions are:
1. If a chamber of Congress does not adopt a "balanced budget" (where total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are not more than 18% of the gross domestic product) by April 16th of the prior fiscal year, the salaries of the members of that chamber will be held in escrow until a balanced budget is adopted (for fiscal years 2020 and 2021) or they will only be paid $1 annually (for fiscal year 2022 and beyond).
2. The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to certify whether a chamber has adopted a balanced budget upon the adoption of a concurrent budget resolution.
3. The bill also requires a supermajority (three-fifths) vote in each chamber to approve legislation that increases revenue.
The purpose of the bill is to address the growing federal debt and annual budget deficits, which Congress is tasked with addressing through balanced budgets to promote economic growth and prosperity.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (on 01/08/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/298/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr298/BILLS-116hr298ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr298/BILLS-116hr298ih.pdf.pdf |
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