Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should reduce and maintain the Federal unified budget deficit at or below 3 percent of gross domestic product.
A Republican resolution with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Budget. (text: CR S1444)
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should reduce the Federal unified budget deficit to 3 percent of gross domestic product or less. It suggests this target be met as soon as possible and no later than the end of fiscal year 2030. After reaching this target, the resolution suggests pursuing a balanced Federal budget. It calls on the President to submit budgets that create a path toward this target. Additionally, it asks various Senate committees to recommend enforcement options and rule changes to ensure the target is met.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +9
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill seeks to establish specific fiscal targets and enforcement mechanisms to ensure the government meets its budget goals.
- Scored +8
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The resolution aims to reduce the deficit to 3 percent of GDP to stabilize the national debt.
- Scored +5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill calls for a path toward a balanced budget, which necessitates controlling or reducing discretionary and direct spending.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The emphasis on reducing the deficit may impact the funding of discretionary spending categories, which includes veteran support.
- Scored -2
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The focus on reducing deficits and controlling spending could potentially lead to future cuts in discretionary programs like veteran support.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Stabilizing the national debt: Reducing the deficit to a 3 percent target is intended to help stabilize the national debt (Preamble).
-
Protecting national security and economic growth: Lowering rising deficits is viewed as a way to protect national security and economic growth (Preamble).
-
Safeguarding future generations: Deficit reduction is presented as a way to safeguard future generations (Preamble).
-
Maintaining government flexibility: Reducing deficits may prevent threats to the government's flexibility to respond to fiscal emergencies (Preamble).
-
Controlling the cost of living and interest rates: Addressing rising deficits could help prevent increases in interest rates and the cost of living (Preamble).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill seeks to establish specific fiscal targets and enforcement mechanisms to ensure the government meets its budget goals. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The resolution aims to reduce the deficit to 3 percent of GDP to stabilize the national debt. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill calls for a path toward a balanced budget, which necessitates controlling or reducing discretionary and direct spending. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The resolution states that reducing deficits is a way to promote long-term economic growth. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — The text suggests that addressing rising deficits could help prevent increases in the cost of living.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The resolution frames deficit reduction as a way to safeguard future generations. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Addressing the debt is presented as a method to protect the economic future of upcoming generations. Would business owners be better off under this? — Reducing deficits is intended to promote long-term economic growth and stability. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill suggests reducing deficits helps control the cost of living. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Reducing deficits is intended to help control interest rates and the cost of living. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill suggests reducing deficits helps control the cost of living and interest rates. Would retired people be better off under this? — Stabilizing the national debt and controlling interest rates is intended to protect future economic conditions. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Lowering deficits is intended to mitigate the threat of rising interest rates that could affect personal finances. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The emphasis on reducing the deficit may impact the funding of discretionary spending categories, which includes veteran support.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill encourages the CBO to include statements on how legislation affects fiscal targets, increasing visibility of budget impacts.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The focus on reducing deficits and controlling spending could potentially lead to future cuts in discretionary programs like veteran support.
- 3/20/2026
- Submitted in Senate
- Referred to the Committee on the Budget. (text: CR S1444)
- 3 Cosponsors added.
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan