H.R. 4027: To increase the statutory limit on the public debt and to require House and Senate votes on constitutional amendments to balance the Federal budget and to restrict new entitlement spending.

H.R. 4027: To increase the statutory limit on the public debt and to require House and Senate votes on constitutional amendments to balance the Federal budget and to restrict new entitlement spending.

113th Congress · introduced 2014-02-10 · Economics and Public Finance · Latest: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2014-02-10 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To increase the statutory limit on the public debt and to require House and Senate votes on constitutional amendments to balance the Federal budget and to restrict new entitlement spending.

Plain summary

Increases the public debt limit to $19.250 trillion. Requires the House of Representatives and the Senate each to vote upon a proposed amendment to the Constitution entitled "Joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States" or entitled "Joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to restrict the power of Congress to enact legislation increasing any amount spent under entitlement programs or creating new entitlement programs." States that if such vote fails to achieve a two-thirds majority in either house of Congress then there shall be another vote in that house on either such amendment within 90 days.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To increase the statutory limit on the public debt and to require House and Senate votes on constitutional amendments to balance the Federal budget and to restrict new entitlement spending.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1] reported raising $1.1 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Constitutional amendment: A change to a constitution. In Texas the Legislature proposes an amendment with a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. It takes effect only if a majority of the people voting on it approve it. In Florida, an amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass.
Joint resolution: In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Statute: A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-113hr4027.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/hr>

Record fed-us-cong113-hr4027 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113