Congressman DesJarlais is a firm supporter of an amendment to the Constitution that would require a balanced budget each year.
Support a constitutional balanced budget requirement each year.
Occurrences
Evidence
verified · Source version 11731 · locator 524
Congressman DesJarlais is a firm supporter of an amendment to the Constitution that would require a balanced budget each year.
unverified · Source version 71072 · locator unknown
DesJarlais voted Yea on H.J. Res. 2, 'Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.' The roll call status was Failed.
unverified · Source version 11757 · locator unknown
Cosponsors include Scott DesJarlais (TN). The measure was introduced in the House on October 23, 2017.
unverified · Source version 59798 · locator unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government ... Status: Failed ... DesJarlais | DesJarlais | Republican | TN | Yea
unverified · Source version 59800 · locator unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government. ... Total expenditures for a year shall not exceed the average annual receipts collected in the three prior years
unverified · Source version 71072 · locator unknown
Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States ... Status: Failed ... DesJarlais | DesJarlais | Republican | TN | Yea
unverified · Source version 71069 · locator unknown
H.J. Res. 139.-- Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government. Referred to the Judiciary Jan. 9, 2026. Reported Feb. 25, 2026; Rept. 119-520. House Calendar.................................................House 63 Failed of passage under suspension of the rules (two-thirds required) Mar. 18, 2026; Roll No. 95: 211-207.
unverified · Source version 71071 · locator unknown
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 139) proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government ... The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were—yeas 211, nays 207, not voting 14 ... De La Cruz DesJarlais Diaz-Balart
unverified · Source version 71072 · locator unknown
Roll Call 858 | Bill Number: H. J. Res. 2 ... Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States ... Status: Failed ... DesJarlais | DesJarlais | Republican | TN | Yea
Assessments
The only verified evidence is the original campaign statement that DesJarlais supports a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget each year. No verified passage establishes that he materially advanced, voted for, enacted, or otherwise delivered the promised support or outcome. The unverified vote and bill records cannot be used as factual evidence here, and there is no documented expired deadline supporting a never finding.
DesJarlais publicly supported a constitutional balanced-budget requirement, voted yes on a House balanced-budget amendment, and later cosponsored another such amendment. The underlying amendment did not become law, but the pledge was to support the requirement, which he did through advocacy and official legislative action.
DesJarlais publicly backed a constitutional balanced-budget requirement, voted for the House balanced-budget amendment in office, and later cosponsored a related amendment. The claim asks for support rather than enactment, so his documented legislative advocacy satisfies it even though the amendment itself did not pass.
The promise was to support a constitutional balanced budget requirement, not necessarily to secure ratification or enactment. DesJarlais took an official pro-amendment action during his federal House service by voting Yea on H.J. Res. 2 in 2011, a proposed balanced budget constitutional amendment. He also later cosponsored a similar amendment, showing continued support. Although the amendment failed, the support commitment itself was fulfilled in the same term through his vote.
The promise was framed as supporting a constitutional balanced-budget requirement, not guaranteeing ratification or enactment. DesJarlais fulfilled that support pledge during the same term by voting Yea on H.J. Res. 2 in 2011, a proposed balanced budget constitutional amendment. Later cosponsorship further supports continued alignment, though the amendment itself failed.