Press Releases

Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) today reintroduced the Principles-Based Balanced Budget Amendment, a constitutional amendment designed to end Washington’s cycle of reckless spending and restore fiscal responsibility to the federal government.

“For too long, Congress has ignored its constitutional duty to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars. As a result, we are now staring down a national debt that exceeds $36 trillion, a burden that will crush future generations unless we act,” said Congressman Moran. “This amendment takes a practical approach: it requires Congress to balance the federal budget over a 10-year window, while giving lawmakers the flexibility to determine how we get there. It is a practical, principles-first step toward reining in inflation, restoring confidence in our economy, and ensuring a stable future for the American people.”

Moran previously filed this amendment on July 6, 2023, during the last Congress. It was given significant attention during a hearing of the House Constitutional Subcommittee in September 2023, chaired at the time by Speaker Mike Johnson. That hearing underscored the importance of embedding clear fiscal principles in the Constitution before moving to detailed policy debates.

Background on the PBBA:

• Provides a 10-year deficit phase-out once ratified by the states.
  
  
• Allows for emergency deficit spending only with two-thirds support in both the House and Senate.
  
  
• Empowers Congress to determine specific policies for achieving balance.

Support for the PBBA:

“We are thrilled to support Representative Moran’s principles-based balanced budget amendment. This BBA is like existing constitutional provisions: broadly appealing principles that can stand the test of time and that empower Congress to write the details in statute. Rep. Moran’s BBA and related legislation can help Congress eliminate waste and restore sound governance, and we urge all members to support it.” — Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity