Urging Congress to propose and submit to the states for ratification a federal balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Summary
HCR 10 is a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to propose a federal balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and submit it to the states for ratification. The resolution argues that persistent federal deficit spending is fiscally irresponsible, increases interest costs on Treasury borrowing, and limits the government’s ability to fund new programs or provide tax cuts. It also contends that prior budget restraint mechanisms, such as Gramm-Rudman-Hollings and PAYGO, have not been durable because Congress can change them by ordinary legislation.
The resolution does not change Texas statutory law or create new state regulatory requirements. Instead, it is a formal expression of the Texas Legislature’s position on federal fiscal policy and a request that the Texas secretary of state transmit the resolution to federal leaders and the Texas congressional delegation for inclusion in the Congressional Record. Its practical effect is political and memorializing rather than legal, aimed at supporting a constitutional amendment process at the federal level.
Impact
HCR 10 has no direct effect on Texas statutes, state agencies, or private parties. Its impact is limited to urging federal action on a proposed constitutional amendment and directing official transmission of the resolution to Congress and the President. If adopted nationally, a balanced budget amendment could significantly constrain federal budgeting and spending practices, but this resolution itself only communicates Texas’s support for that policy.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment in the bill text is strongly supportive of fiscal restraint and deficit reduction. The resolution frames balanced-budget requirements as necessary to protect taxpayers, prevent fiscal calamity, and restore responsible federal budgeting. No committee discussion or recorded votes are provided, so there is no additional evidence of debate, amendments, or divided sentiment in the available materials.
Contention
The main point of contention is the underlying policy question of whether the federal government should be constitutionally required to balance its budget. Supporters of the resolution argue that existing budget rules are ineffective and that only a constitutional amendment can provide lasting enforcement. Opponents of balanced budget amendments typically raise concerns about reduced federal flexibility during recessions, emergencies, or wars, and about the risk of forcing spending cuts or tax increases in ways that could be economically disruptive. No specific opposition is documented in the provided record, but those are the likely fault lines surrounding the measure.
Urging Congress to propose and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment to clarify that the states and Congress may reasonably regulate and limit the spending of money to influence campaigns, elections, or ballot measures.
Urging Congress to propose and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment to clarify that the states and Congress may reasonably regulate and limit the spending of money to influence campaigns, elections, or ballot measures.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing an amendment to the constitution to limit the terms of office of members of Congress.