§015p. (CB) Paygo Point of Order in the Senate

Cyclopedia

Paygo Point of Order in the Senate

Summary

The Paygo Point of Order in the Senate is a rule that allows a Senator to object to the consideration of a bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, or conference report, that is not deficit neutral. Deficit neutrality is defined as the cumulative increases and decreases, when taken together, in direct spending and revenue. In whatever combination, a measure causes the deficit to increase, then the point of order would be sustained, if raised, and sixty Senators are required to waive it should a Senator request a vote to be taken. The Senate Pay-As-You-Go Point of Order was stated in its latest form in section 4106 of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress).

(This rule is similar in nature to the statutory enforcement procedure that was in force from 1990 through 2002, and was reestablished by Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, but is distinct from them.

See in particular the following report by the Congressional Research Service:

CRS – Budget Enforcement Procedures-The Senate Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Rule (RL31943) January 9, 2018

CRS – Budget Enforcement Procedures: The Senate Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Rule(RL31943) August 6, 2015

The following is the report done by the Congressional Research Service, with links and additional information:

BCR – CRS Report on Budget Enforcement Procedures: The Senate Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Rule (Annotated)