IdahoIdaho asks Congress to pursue a balanced-budget constitutional amendment
Idaho's Legislature asks its members of Congress to lead efforts to balance the federal budget and reduce national debt, including through a constitutional amendment.
What it does
Idaho's Legislature calls on its members of Congress to pursue a balanced-budget constitutional amendment. Congress would need to propose it and states approve it before the requirement could take effect.
Argument forAsking Idaho's members of Congress to lead budget talks could bring more attention to ways to limit federal deficits and debt.
Argument againstIf Congress and states approve the requested amendment, a balanced-budget requirement could restrict Congress's spending choices when federal expenses exceed income.
More detail
Idaho's Legislature asks its members of Congress to lead efforts to balance the federal budget and reduce national debt. The request concerns the federal budget. The Senate secretary must send copies to congressional leaders, Idaho's members of Congress, and the other 49 state legislatures. A constitutional balanced-budget requirement would need Congress to propose an amendment and states to formally approve it. The memorial itself does not require the federal government to balance its budget.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 30Reported delivered to the Secretary of State on 03/30/26Latest
- Mar 30Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Secretary of State
- Mar 27Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 26Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Mar 26Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Mar 25Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – ADOPTED - 59-7-4AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(14), Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Cayler, Harris, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Tanner(13), ThompsonAbsent – Berch, Bingham, Hall(Stone), PohankaFloor Sponsors - Raymond & EhardtTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 5Read First Time, Referred to State AffairsMinor
- Mar 5Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Mar 4Read in full – ADOPTED – voice voteFloor Sponsor – CookTitle apvd – to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Feb 26Reported Printed; referred to 10th order; held one legislative day
- Feb 25Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
Taxes & Budget