IIA 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 31 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2006 Mr. Allen introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to require a balancing of the budget.

That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission by the Congress: —

1.The budget deficit of the United States for the fiscal year in which this article is ratified shall be reduced in the succeeding fiscal years such that the budget deficit, if any, in the succeeding fiscal years may not exceed the indicated amount of the budget deficit for the fiscal year in which this article is ratified, as follows: (1)For the first fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this article, 80 percent. (2)For the second fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this article, 60 percent. (3)For the third fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this article, 40 percent. (4)For the fourth fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this article, 20 percent.

2.After the fourth fiscal year beginning after ratification of this article, expenditures by the United States may not exceed receipts for any given fiscal year unless such excess expenditures are authorized by a law approved by three-fifths of each House of the Congress.

3.Congress may waive the provisions of this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Any deficit that occurs as a result of such war shall be reduced within 5 fiscal years following the war according to the procedures set forth in section 1 of this article.

4.Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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