WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, is proposing legislation that could lead to removing the president from office if a balanced budget is not passed by Congress, according to a newspaper that covers Capitol Hill.

that Brooks' legislation,

, would create a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

It would require that the country not spend more money than it receives in that fiscal year, excluding the repayment of old debt principle.

The only exceptions, which must be approved by a majority roll-call vote of both houses of Congress, would be during wartime or by a four-fifths roll-call vote of Congress at any time.

If, beyond those exceptions, the U.S. spends more money than it receives, "the president shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure total outlays for that fiscal year do not exceed total receipts. The president may not order any increase in taxes or other revenue measures to enforce the Amendment.

"A President's failure to prevent a prohibited fiscal year deficit is an impeachable offense."

Brooks told

The Hill

that holding the president responsible is a key aspect of maintaining a balanced budget.

"Most states have a balanced-budget requirement," he said. "In all states, it's incumbent on the governor to ensure that spending equals revenue during the fiscal year.

"I have learned from experience that unless there is penalty ... there is a significant risk that the executive, or for that matter the Senate or the House, won't do it."

Brooks has dubbed his legislation the Protecting America's Solvency Act of 2013 and would phase out the nation's current deficit over five years.

The legislation calls for raising the debt ceiling by $1 trillion upon passage of the amendment by Congress and by another $1 trillion upon ratification of the states.

In an appearance today at Redstone Arsenal, Brooks described that money as a "carrot" to sway lawmakers to approve it.

"If we can use the carrot of a $1 trillion dollar to the debt ceiling then maybe we can get this passed and get control of this out-of-control spending," Brooks told The Huntsville Times.

Updated today, Jan. 30, 2013, at 12:43 p.m. with additional information on the bill and Brooks comment from today.

Times staff writer Leada Gore contributed to this report.

Follow me on Twitter @paul_gattis