I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4262 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 10, 2009 Mr. Scalise (for himself, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Posey, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Akin, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Broun of Georgia, Mr. Hunter, Ms. Fallin, Mr. Lee of New York, Mr. Gingrey of Georgia, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Cole, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Hall of Texas, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Chaffetz, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Paulsen, Mr. Moran of Kansas, Mr. Carter, Mr. Graves, Mr. Rooney, Mr. Shimkus, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Barton of Texas, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. Souder, Mr. Paul, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Kingston, Mr. Jones, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Inglis, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Davis of Kentucky, Mr. Jordan of Ohio, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Culberson, and Mr. Heller) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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 A BILL To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require a two-thirds recorded vote in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to increase the statutory limit on the public debt, and for other purposes.

1.

Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Control America’s Purse-strings to Deliver a Better Tomorrow Act or the CAP the DEBT Act.

2.

Two-thirds recorded vote required to increase statutory limit on the public debt

(a)

In general

Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

316.

Two-thirds recorded vote required to increase statutory limit on the public debt

(a)

In the House of Representatives

(1)It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives to consider any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that increases the statutory limit on the public debt if there is any other matter in such measure. (2)A bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that increases the statutory limit on the public debt may not be considered as passed or agreed to in the House of Representatives unless so determined by a recorded vote of not less than two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present. (b)

In the Senate

(1)It shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that increases the statutory limit on the public debt if there is any other matter in such measure. (2)A bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that increases the statutory limit on the public debt may not be considered as passed or agreed to in the Senate unless so determined by a roll call vote of not less than two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present. (3)An affirmative roll call vote of two-thirds of the Members, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required in the Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under this subsection.

. (b)

Conforming amendment

The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 315 the following new item: Sec. 316. Two-thirds recorded vote required to increase statutory limit on the public debt. .

3.

Repeal of the Gephardt rule

Rule XXVIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives (relating to the statutory limit on the public debt) is repealed and rule XXIX is redesignated as rule XXVIII.