Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the United States Government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress.
H.J. Res. 9 would propose a new constitutional amendment that would bar the United States Government from increasing its debt unless the increase is for a “specific purpose” and is enacted by a law that receives a three-fourths majority in each House of Congress. The amendment follows the standard constitutional amendment process: it must be approved by two-thirds of both the House and Senate and then ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years. If ratified, the amendment would take effect ten years after ratification. In short, debt issuance would be severely constrained unless a broad, supermajority-approved law authorizes a debt increase for a narrowly defined purpose, with a lengthy transition period before implementation.
Key Points
- 1Core prohibition: The U.S. Government may not increase its debt unless the increase is for a specific purpose and authorized by a law that gains a three-fourths majority in both Houses of Congress.
- 2Legislative requirement: Any debt increase must be approved by a high threshold—75% of the membership in both the Senate and the House.
- 3Amendment process: The measure must pass with two-thirds in both chambers and then be ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years.
- 4Effective date: If ratified, the amendment would take effect starting ten years after ratification.
- 5Ambiguities and implementation questions: Key terms such as “increase its debt,” “specific purpose,” and what counts as an approved “law” may require future clarification or be subject to legal interpretation.