CAP the DEBT Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (10 Dec 2009): Referred to House Budget
What this bill does
The CAP the DEBT Act would change how Congress handles increases to the national debt limit. It proposes that any bill, resolution, or amendment aimed at raising the debt limit must stand alone and cannot be combined with other legislative matters. Furthermore, such legislation would require a two-thirds recorded vote in the House of Representatives and a two-thirds roll call vote in the Senate to pass.
This bill would affect the process for raising the U.S. debt limit for all members of the House and Senate. It also specifically repeals a House rule known as the "Gephardt Rule," which previously automatically adjusted the debt limit to match a budget resolution. The bill permits an appeal of the presiding officer's ruling on a point of order in the Senate, but this appeal would also require a two-thirds vote.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in December 2009 and referred to the Committee on Rules and the Committee on the Budget. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet moved through the legislative process for potential enactment.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Control America's Purse-strings to Deliver a Better Tomorrow Act or the CAP the DEBT Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report increasing the statutory limit on the public debt if there is any other matter in such measure.
Requires a two-thirds recorded vote of Members in the House and a roll call vote of at least two-thirds of the Members of the Senate before legislation increasing the statutory limit on the public debt may be considered as passed or agreed to in either chamber.
Permits a successful appeal from the ruling of the Chair in the Senate on such prohibition, but only by an affirmative roll call vote of two-thirds of its Members.
Repeals Rule XXVIII (Statutory Limit on Public Debt) of the Rules of the House, and known as the "Gephardt Rule," providing for mandatory adjustment of the statutory limit on the public debt to conform to a budget resolution.
Timeline
10 Dec 2009
Referred to House Budget
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4262 do?
- The CAP the DEBT Act would change how Congress handles increases to the national debt limit. It proposes that any bill, resolution, or amendment aimed at raising the debt limit must stand alone and cannot be combined with other legislative matters. Furthermore, such legislation would require a two-thirds recorded vote in the House of Representatives and a two-thirds roll call vote in the Senate to pass. This bill would affect the process for raising the U.S. debt limit for all members of the House and Senate. It also specifically repeals a House rule known as the "Gephardt Rule," which previously automatically adjusted the debt limit to match a budget resolution. The bill permits an appeal of the presiding officer's ruling on a point of order in the Senate, but this appeal would also require a two-thirds vote. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in December 2009 and referred to the Committee on Rules and the Committee on the Budget. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet moved through the legislative process for potential enactment.
- Has H.R. 4262 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4262. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4262?
- H.R. 4262 was sponsored by Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1] (R-LA), with 84 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4262?
- Referred to House Budget (10 Dec 2009).
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