Proposing a Federal debt limit amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would create a new federal debt limit tied to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The limit starts at 130% of GDP in the first year the amendment is in effect and then declines by 1 percentage point each fiscal year until it reaches 120%, after which the 120% cap would apply in perpetuity. The total federal debt (including debt held by the public and intragovernmental debt) may not exceed this limit unless a 60% majority in each House votes to authorize a specific excess for a named purpose in that fiscal year. The President must submit a budget each year that shows debt staying under the limit, and the Congress can waive the limit for defense spending during war or for other declared military conflicts with imminent national security threats, but only for the specific excess tied to that conflict. The amendment would be implemented by Congress through legislation, and GDP is defined by BEA (or successor). It takes effect beginning with the third fiscal year after ratification, and ratification by three-fourths of the states is required within seven years of submission.
Key Points
- 1Debt limit tied to GDP: The total federal debt may not exceed 130% of GDP in the first year the amendment takes effect, with the cap decreasing by 1 percentage point each fiscal year until it reaches 120%, after which it remains at 120% (as a share of GDP).
- 2Coverage of debt: The limit applies to the entire federal debt (debt held by the public plus intragovernmental debt), i.e., gross federal debt.
- 3Exceeding the limit requires a supermajority vote: To authorize any excess beyond the cap, both the Senate and the House must pass a law by roll call with at least 3/5 of the whole number of members in each house.
- 4Budget alignment: The President must transmit a annual budget (and a 5-year outlook) showing debt that does not exceed the limit.
- 5Waivers for military needs: The limit can be waived for defense spending during a declared war or in other situations of direct military conflict causing an imminent and serious threat to national security, but only via a joint resolution approved by a majority in both houses and limited to the specific excess caused by the conflict.
- 6Implementation and definitions: Congress will implement the amendment through legislation and may rely on outlay/receipts estimates; GDP is defined as BEA’s measure (including consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports).
- 7Effective date and ratification window: The amendment takes effect in the third fiscal year after ratification; states have up to seven years to ratify from the date of submission.