Advantages & Disadvantages of the Balanced Budget Amendment

A federal balanced budget amendment occasionally emerges as a political hot-button issue. The amendment would require that the U.S. government not run a budget deficit, limiting expenses to the amount of revenue the government brings in. Passage of a balanced budget amendment requires overwhelming congressional and state support, needing the approval of three-fourths of the states and two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress.

The chief advantage of a federal balanced budget amendment is that it reduces federal debt because it requires the government to operate without a deficit. Advocates argue that a balanced budget amendment would lead to a smaller federal government and less government waste, including a major reduction in pork-barrel spending – the practice of legislators pushing pet projects for their constituencies. An elimination of the deficit also would reduce the millions of dollars in interest that the government pays on its debt when it runs a deficit.

Advocates of a balanced-budget amendment say the amendment would keep the federal government from borrowing beyond its means, which could ultimately force it to dramatically cut spending, raise taxes or both simply in order to service debt.

Critics say there's little evidence that such a debt disaster is actually on its way to the United States and warn against unnecessary austerity that could harm people and the economy at large.

A key concern frequently raised about a balanced budget amendment is the lack of flexibility it allows. Because the budget is required by law to be balanced, the federal government has fewer options for responding to economic developments as they arise. Although an amendment plan is expected to provide flexibility in the event of a war or natural disaster, proposals typically do not have the same room for maneuvering if there is a strong need to stimulate the economy in a downturn.

Critics of a balanced budget amendment argue that it would lead to the reduction and elimination of necessary services provided by the federal government, including social services and defense. Even Social Security could be forced to cut payments in particular years, according to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Even programs that tend to promote economic stability, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's bank deposit insurance program, could struggle to pay for themselves during a recession, when tax revenue is weak.

That, in turn, could force the government to raise taxes precisely when the economy isn't doing well, rather than provide tax relief to help consumers and businesses get back on their feet.