Balanced budget amendment fails to advance in House

Published March 18, 2026 5:38pm ET



The House failed to pass a measure that would propose amending the Constitution to require the federal government to have a balanced budget, a measure offered by conservatives to address the ever-increasing national debt.

The House voted 211-207 in favor of the proposal introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ). The vote took place under a process that required a supermajority for approval. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was the sole Democrat to cross party lines and vote for the measure.

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