Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 9, 2025

S 45: Balanced Budget Accountability Act

S 45, the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, requires Congress to pass annual budgets that balance by 2035 or face consequences for members' pay. If Congress fails to adopt a balanced budget for fiscal years 2026 or 2027 by April 16 of the prior year, members' salaries are placed in escrow until a balanced budget is certified or the current Congress ends. For fiscal years 2028 and beyond, failure to balance the budget would reduce members' pay to $1 annually. The bill also mandates a 3/5 vote (supermajority) in each chamber to pass any bill increasing revenue. This directly affects all House and Senate members by linking their compensation to budget balance outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility by mandating balanced budgets with penalties for non-compliance, directly advancing budget accountability and fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 14, 2026

S 2378: SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025

The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 ensures that revenue from the 9/11 Security Fee (paid by airline passengers) is used exclusively for aviation security, ending its diversion to other government purposes by 2027. It creates two dedicated funds: the Aviation Security Capital Fund (receiving $250 million annually through 2025, then $500 million annually starting in 2026) for general security improvements, and the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (receiving $250 million annually starting in 2026) specifically for security screening technology like baggage scanners and exit lanes. The bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to collect sufficient fees to fund these amounts and allows retroactive grants for security technology projects implemented since 2023. This directly affects TSA operations, airports, and passenger fees, with no new taxes or fees imposed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates dedicated funding for aviation security from 9/11 fees, preventing diversion and ensuring fiscal responsibility through specific budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates dedicated $250M annual fund specifically for 'Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology' improvements, directly funding technology applications in security systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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failed · United States · House Mar 18, 2026

HJRES 139: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total federal expenditures for a year from exceeding the average annual federal receipts collected in the three prior years, adjusted for changes in the population of U.S. citizens and inflation. Expenditures for payment of debt and receipts derived from borrowing are excluded. Under the amendment, Congress may authorize specific expenditures in excess of the limit with (1) a roll call vote of two-thirds of each chamber, or (2) a roll call vote for any year in which a declaration of war is in effect. The amendment also prohibits any bill to levy a new tax or increase the rate of any tax from becoming law unless it has been approved by a roll call vote of two-thirds of the whole number of each chamber of Congress. The requirements take effect in the fifth year beginning after ratification of the amendment.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill mandates federal balanced budget, restricting annual spending to average receipts, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of fiscal restraint.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget

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in committee · United States · House May 8, 2025

HR 3311: Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2025

HR 3311, the ELECT Act of 2025, ends taxpayer funding for presidential campaigns by terminating two key provisions. It stops using income tax payments to finance presidential elections after December 31, 2024, and dissolves the existing Presidential election campaign fund. Any remaining funds in that account will be transferred to the Treasury’s general fund to reduce the deficit. The bill directly affects presidential candidates and campaigns by eliminating automatic taxpayer support for these elections starting in 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds presidential campaign financing by ending taxpayer funding and redirecting remaining funds to reduce deficit, restricting government spending on elections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget

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in committee · United States · House Jan 7, 2025

HR 222: Sustainable Budget Act of 2025

The Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 would establish a 18-member National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to develop budget recommendations. The Commission would include members appointed by the President and congressional leadership, with specific requirements for approval of its reports (requiring 12 members, including 4 from each major party). The Commission would need to propose policies to balance the budget within 10 years (excluding interest payments) and address entitlement spending and revenue gaps. After submitting reports to Congress, the President would transmit a proposed joint resolution implementing the recommendations, which would then undergo expedited consideration in both houses with limited debate and no amendments allowed. This bill creates a process for developing budget recommendations but does not directly change current fiscal policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes commission to balance budget within 10 years, directly promoting fiscal responsibility as a key support indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · United States · House Oct 10, 2025

HR 5738: No Budget, No Pay Act

HR 5738, the "No Budget, No Pay Act," requires Congress to approve a budget resolution and pass all annual appropriations bills by October 1 each fiscal year. If Congress misses this deadline, members of Congress (excluding the Vice President) lose pay for the period of non-compliance, as determined by the House and Senate Budget and Appropriations Chairs. The bill specifies that no retroactive pay is allowed for any period during which Congress was out of compliance. This directly affects all elected members of Congress by linking their pay to timely budget passage, creating a financial incentive for meeting the October 1 deadline.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnforces strict budget deadlines and pay penalties for non-compliance, directly promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending and appropriations management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2025

S 538: Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2025

S 538, the ELECT Act of 2025, ends taxpayer funding for presidential election campaigns after 2024. It terminates the existing system where income tax payments financed campaigns by amending the tax code to stop this practice starting in 2025. Any remaining funds in the Presidential election campaign fund will be transferred to the general Treasury to reduce the federal deficit. This bill directly affects future presidential campaigns and the federal budget by removing taxpayer subsidies for campaign expenses.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTerminates taxpayer funding for presidential campaigns, redirecting funds to Treasury to reduce deficit; defunds specific campaign subsidies under tax code.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget

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in committee · United States · House Jan 7, 2026

HRES 981: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should reduce and maintain the Federal unified budget deficit at or below 3 percent of gross domestic product.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) Congress should adopt a fiscal target to reduce the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product or less as soon as possible and no later than the end of FY2030; and (2) after the target is achieved, Congress should continue to pursue further deficit reduction with the goal of achieving a balanced federal budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility through deficit reduction target to 3% GDP, aligning with budget management indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 2187: Pay Down the Debt Act

S 2187, the "Pay Down the Debt Act," requires federal grant funds not accepted by states or local governments to be automatically rescinded from the federal budget. These rescinded funds must then be deposited into the Treasury's general fund specifically for reducing the national deficit. The bill directly affects states and local governments that decline federal grant offers, creating a new mechanism to redirect unclaimed federal resources toward deficit reduction without creating new programs or altering existing grant terms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects unclaimed federal grants to reduce deficit via Treasury general fund, promoting fiscal responsibility per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2025

HR 446: Endowment Tax Fairness Act

This bill increases the tax rate on investment income earned by private colleges and universities from 1.4% to 21%. It directly affects private institutions with significant endowments, requiring them to pay a higher tax on their investment returns. The revenue generated must be deposited into the federal Treasury to reduce the national deficit and debt. The tax applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax on private college endowments (1.4% to 21%) to fund deficit reduction, closing a tax loophole and promoting fiscal responsibility per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget

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