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Adds new section 3101B to title 31, U.S. Code, entitled 'Suspension of the debt ceiling', establishing (1) definitions for a qualifying joint resolution, (2) requirements and timing for a Secretary of the Treasury certification to Congress when further borrowing will be necessary, (3) a 45-calendar-day congressional consideration period and effects if Congress does not enact a disapproval resolution, (4) expedited consideration procedures in the House and Senate (including specific reporting and floor-timing requirements), and (5) restrictions on issuance of obligations during any extension period.
Amends 31 U.S.C. 3101(b) as part of the broader changes to Subchapter I of chapter 31; the section text indicates insertion related to the suspension of the debt limit and references application of the new section 3101B.
Amends section 1105(a)(10) of title 31 to require that such information include, as a percentage of the gross domestic product of the United States, an estimate of the debt held by the public and the debt held by the public net of financial assets.
Conforming amendment to the table of sections for title 31 by inserting a new item relating to the newly added section 3101B after the item relating to section 3101A.
This bill sets up a safety valve to help the U.S. avoid default. It lets the Treasury Department temporarily pause the debt limit when needed, as long as Congress doesn’t pass a formal “disapproval” within 45 days. Treasury must send Congress a written notice that says how long the pause should last, and that time can be no later than two years after the prior pause ends . If Congress does not enact a disapproval in time, the pause takes effect for the period Treasury specified.
When the pause ends, the debt limit automatically adjusts to cover the necessary borrowing that happened during the pause to pay legal bills already owed. Treasury cannot borrow extra just to build up cash beyond normal needs during this time. If Congress does enact a disapproval within 45 days, the pause would end under existing law .
Key points
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Brendan Francis Boyle · Last progress July 23, 2025
Debt Ceiling Reform Act
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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.
Introduced in House