(Act passed House by vote of 234-190; compromise measure that authorizes an increase in the federal debt limit to $16.7 trillion, cuts total federal spending by $111 billion in fiscal year 2012, reduces non-defense discretionary spending below fiscal year 2008 (pre-"stimulus") levels, implements statutory spending caps (but exempts Social Security, Medicare, Veterans' Benefits and Services, and Net Interest from such caps) designed to bring federal spending in line with historic average of 20 percent of GDP by 2021; also requires Congressional passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution be submitted to the states, and that any tax increase measure be approved by two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress; nine Republicans voted against the measure because it increased the debt limit and five Democrats voted in favor of the measure).