[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 150 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 150
To establish the People-Centered Assistance Reform Effort Commission,
to improve the social safety net and increase social mobility by
increasing access to resources which address the underlying causes of
poverty.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Davidson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on
Education and Workforce, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Financial
Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, the Judiciary, and
Natural Resources, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the People-Centered Assistance Reform Effort Commission,
to improve the social safety net and increase social mobility by
increasing access to resources which address the underlying causes of
poverty.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``People-Centered Assistance Reform
Effort Act'' or the ``People CARE Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to structure means-tested welfare
programs so that--
(1) welfare programs work in an integrated manner and
provide social workers with the tools to assist people
holistically;
(2) welfare programs work together in a streamlined and
comprehensible manner, and, over time, individuals on such
programs will earn enough income on their own to transition off
of means-tested welfare programs; and
(3) means-tested welfare programs increase employment,
encourage healthy families and further educational attainment
so that households maintain an income above the poverty level
without services and benefits from the Federal Government.
SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF MEANS-TESTED WELFARE PROGRAM.
(a) Means-Tested Welfare Program.--In this Act, the term ``means-
tested welfare program''--
(1) means any Federal program that is designed to
specifically provide assistance or benefits exclusively to low-
income Americans;
(2) does not include such a program if the program--
(A) is based on earned eligibility;
(B) is not need-based;
(C) provides to an individual benefits under title
38, United States Code, or other provisions of law
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
(D) offers universal or near universal eligibility
to the working population and their dependents; and
(3) includes community and economic development programs
targeted to low-income communities or populations.
(b) Programs Included.--For purposes of subsection (a), the
following Federal programs shall be considered means-tested welfare
programs:
(1) Cash and general assistance.--
(A) The Supplemental Security Income program under
title XVI of the Social Security Act.
(B) The earned income tax credit determined under
section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(C) The refundable portion of the child tax credit
determined under section 24 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
(D) The program of block grants to States for
temporary assistance for needy families under part A of
title IV of the Social Security Act.
(E) The foster care and adoption assistance program
under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act.
(F) General Assistance to Indians.
(G) The programs operated under the Assets for
Independence Act.
(2) Medical.--
(A) The Medicaid program under title XIX of the
Social Security Act.
(B) The State Children's Health Insurance Program
under title XXI of the Social Security Act.
(C) Health programs operated by the Indian Health
Service, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Urban
Indian organizations (as those terms are defined in
section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25
U.S.C. 1603)).
(D) The health center programs under section 330 of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b).
(E) The Maternal and Child Health Services Block
Grant program under title V of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 701 et seq.).
(F) The Healthy Start Initiative under section 330H
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c-8).
(G) Premium tax credits and cost sharing reductions
available pursuant to the Patient Protection and
Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA) and the amendments
made by such Act.
(3) Food.--
(A) The supplemental nutrition assistance program
under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011
et seq.).
(B) The school lunch program under the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et
seq.).
(C) The special supplemental nutrition program for
women, infants, and children under section 17 of the
Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C. 1786).
(D) The school breakfast program under section 4 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
(E) The child and adult care food program under
section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766).
(F) The nutrition services programs under the Older
Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.).
(G) The summer food service program for children
under section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761).
(H) The commodity supplemental food program under
section 4 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection
Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note).
(I) Commodity distribution programs under the
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et
seq.).
(J) The seniors farmers' market nutrition program
under section 3007 of Public Law 107-171 (7 U.S.C.
3007).
(K) The special milk program established under
section 3 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1772).
(4) Housing.--
(A) The rental assistance program under section 8
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f).
(B) The public housing program under title I of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et
seq.).
(C) The Home Investment Partnerships Program under
title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable
Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.).
(D) The programs for homeless assistance under
title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.).
(E) The rural housing programs under title V of the
Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.).
(F) The program for supportive housing for elderly
persons under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959
(12 U.S.C. 1701q).
(G) The program for Native American housing block
grants under the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et
seq.).
(H) The program for supportive housing for persons
with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
8013).
(5) Energy and utilities.--
(A) Low-income home energy assistance under the
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42
U.S.C. 8621 et seq.).
(B) The Lifeline Assistance Program of the Federal
Communications Commission and the Tribal Link Up
assistance program defined in section 54.413 of title
47, Code of Federal Regulations.
(C) Weatherization assistance for low-income
persons under part A of title IV of the Energy
Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et
seq.).
(6) Education.--
(A) Federal Pell Grants under subpart 1 of part IV
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et
seq.).
(B) Grants for improving basic programs operated by
local educational agencies under part A of title I of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).
(C) Federal TRIO programs under chapter 1 of
subpart 2 of title IV of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.).
(D) Federal supplemental educational opportunity
grants under subpart 3 of part A of title IV the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070b et seq.).
(E) Programs for the education of migratory
children under part C of title 1 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6391 et
seq.).
(F) Gaining early awareness and readiness for
undergraduate programs under chapter 2 of subpart 2 of
part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-21 et seq.).
(G) The education for homeless children and youth
program under subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et
seq.).
(H) The leveraging educational assistance
partnership program of subpart 4 of part A of title IV
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070c et
seq.).
(7) Training.--
(A) Job Corps under subtitle C of title I of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3191 et seq.).
(B) Adult employment and training activities under
title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(20 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
(C) Senior community service employment programs
under title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3056 et seq.).
(D) Employment and training programs under the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
(E) Migrant and seasonal farmworker programs under
section 167 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3222).
(F) The YouthBuild Program under section 171 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3226).
(G) Native American Programs under section 166 of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3221).
(8) Services.--
(A) The Social Services Block Grant program under
title XX of the Social Security Act.
(B) Programs under the Community Services Block
Grant Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.).
(C) Services for aliens admitted to the United
States as refugees or granted asylum in the United
States, and other special populations of aliens.
(D) State and community programs on aging that
receive Federal funds.
(E) Legal Services Corporation.
(F) Family planning services under title X of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300 et seq.).
(G) The Emergency Food and Shelter Program for
homeless persons under title III of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11331 et seq.).
(H) The AmeriCorps VISTA program under subtitle C
of title I of the National and Community Service Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.).
(9) Child care and child development.--
(A) Head Start programs and Early Head Start
programs under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et
seq.).
(B) Programs under the Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.).
(10) Community development.--
(A) The Community Development Block Grant Program
under title I of the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(B) Programs administered by the Economic
Development Administration under the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et
seq.).
(C) Programs administered by the Appalachian
Regional Commission under subtitle IV of title 40,
United States Code.
(D) Empowerment zones and enterprise communities
under subchapter U, and renewal communities under
subchapter X, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(c) Programs Excluded.--For purposes of subsection (a), the
following Federal programs shall not be considered means-tested welfare
programs:
(1) The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance
Benefit program under title II of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 401 et seq.).
(2) The Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
(3) A program designed exclusively or primarily to provide
to an individual benefits under title 38, United States Code,
or other provisions of law administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.
(4) A program that provides for the receipt of ``regular
compensation'', ``extended compensation'', or ``additional
compensation'' (as such terms are defined by section 205 of the
Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act (26 U.S.C.
3304 note)).
(5) The program that provides for trade adjustment
assistance under title II of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2251 et seq.).
(6) Programs designed specifically to provide benefits to
workers to compensate for job-related injuries or illnesses.
(d) Special Rules.--
(1)(A) For purposes of subsection (a), only the refundable
portion of the following tax credits shall be considered means-
tested welfare programs:
(i) The earned income tax credit under section 32
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(ii) The child tax credit under section 24(d) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(B) For purposes of subsection (a), only the refundable
portion of the premium and out-of-pocket health care subsidies
to be paid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Health
Care Act shall be considered a means-tested welfare program.
(C) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term
``refundable portion'' means the portion of the credit which is
paid to an individual in excess of the amount of Federal income
tax owed by the individual.
(2) For purposes of subsection (a), only the costs of the
free and reduced price segments of the school lunch and school
breakfast programs shall be considered means-tested welfare
programs.
(e) Exclusion of Certain State and Local Expenditures.--For
purposes of subsection (a), expenditures by State and local governments
of funds that are--
(1) obtained by the State and local government from taxes,
fees, or other sources of revenue established by the State or
local government; and
(2) not received as any form of grant from the Federal
Government,
shall not be considered means-tested welfare programs, without regard
to whether the State and local expenditures take the form of
contributions to a Federal program described in subsection (a) or
listed in subsection (b).
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF PEOPLE-CENTERED ASSISTANCE REFORM EFFORT
COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the legislative branch
a commission to be known as the ``People-Centered Assistance Reform
Effort Commission'' or the ``CARE Commission'' (in this Act referred to
as the ``Commission'').
(b) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The Commission--
(A) shall review all means-tested welfare programs
within the Federal Government to--
(i) identify changes in law (which may
include ways to streamline functions and
increase efficiency within agencies or
programs) that will achieve the purposes set
forth in section 2;
(ii) evaluate whether each means-tested
welfare program could be consolidated with
another means-tested welfare program, or a
program subject to the availability of
discretionary appropriations with similar
goals, and make recommendations for
consolidating the programs that are identified;
(iii) evaluate the potential benefits of
consolidating or repurposing any means-tested
welfare program that does not have proven
beneficial outcomes that assist in achieving
purposes set forth in section 2 and make
recommendations regarding consolidating or
repurposing means-tested welfare programs that
are identified;
(iv) identify opportunities and make
recommendations regarding ways for the Federal
Government to reduce the cost or increase the
efficiency of means-tested welfare program by
contracting with private entities, or
delegating authority to States, to perform
activities relating to the program;
(v) identify means-tested welfare programs
and entitlement authorities that should be
modified to be carried out subject to the
availability of discretionary appropriations;
(vi) identify changes to the law that would
allow caseworkers to have a wholistic view of
the person and all programs for which the
individual or family would be eligible, and
identify other tools that caseworkers should
have access to in order to achieve the goals
set forth in section 2;
(vii) identify and eliminate benefit cliffs
by designing on/off ramps such as gradual
benefit reductions as individuals' wages
increase, such that the gradual reduction in
government benefits does not exceed the
increase in wages; and
(viii) identify other ways to achieve the
purposes set forth in section 2 as determined
by the Commission;
(B) in carrying out subparagraph (A), establish a
system for evaluating the effectiveness of welfare
programs, which includes income and employment outcomes
for individuals and families in their respective
programs, and engage in such other activities as the
Commission deems appropriate to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programs;
(C) may review the offsetting receipts and
discretionary appropriations of the Federal Government,
as determined appropriate by the Commission; and
(D) may develop the criteria for achieving the
purposes set forth in section 2.
(2) Consultation and working groups.--
(A) In general.--In carrying out the review under
paragraph (1)(A), the Commission shall--
(i) consult with experts in company
restructuring, reorganizing, and cost cutting;
and
(ii) establish working groups for means-
tested welfare programs, as determined
appropriate by the Commission, to provide
recommendations to the Commission.
(B) Members of working groups.--The individuals
serving on a working group established under
subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be employees or contractors
of the Commission with expertise in a program reviewed
by the working group.
(3) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date on
which all members of the Commission are appointed, and upon an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
Commission, the Commission shall submit to Congress and make
publicly available a report containing--
(A) a detailed statement of the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission; and
(B) the assumptions, scenarios, and alternatives
considered in reaching such findings, conclusions, and
recommendations.
(4) Legislation to carry out changes in law to achieve
purposes.--The Commission shall--
(A) identify changes in law that will result in the
consolidation and realignment in programs and outlays
that will achieve the purposes set forth in section 2;
(B) include in the report submitted under paragraph
(3) a bill consisting of proposed legislative language
to carry out the changes in law identified under
subparagraph (A) (in this Act referred to as the
``Commission bill''), except that the bill may not
include provisions creating a new program or agency,
unless such program or agency is the result of a
consolidation or realignment of existing programs and
agencies which will have the predicted outcome of
achieving the purposes of section 2; and
(C) include in such report an estimate of the
savings in outlays that will be achieved by the
enactment of the Commission bill, as developed in
conjunction with the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office and the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget.
(5) Information to members of congress.--After submission
of the Commission bill under paragraph (4), the Commission
shall promptly provide, upon request, to any Member of Congress
information used by the Commission in making its
recommendations.
(c) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 8
members, appointed as follows:
(A) The majority leader of the Senate shall appoint
2 members.
(B) The minority leader of the Senate shall appoint
2 members.
(C) The Speaker of the House of Representatives
shall appoint 2 members.
(D) The minority leader of the House of
Representatives shall appoint 2 members.
(2) Disqualifications.--An individual may not be appointed
as a member of the Commission if the individual was registered
as a lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) at any time during the 5-year period
ending on the date of the appointment.
(3) Chairperson.--The members of the Commission shall
select a Chairperson from among the members of the Commission.
(4) Date.--Not later than 1 month after the date of
enactment of this Act, all members of the Commission shall be
appointed.
(5) Period of designation.--Members shall be appointed for
the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall
not affect its powers, but shall be filled not later than 14
days after the date on which the vacancy occurs in the same
manner as the original appointment.
(6) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Each member of the Commission
shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed
for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule
under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, for
each day (including travel time) during which such
member is engaged in the performance of the duties of
the Commission.
(B) Travel expenses.--Members may be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5,
United States Code, while away from their homes or
regular places of business in performance of services
for the Commission.
(d) Powers of the Commission.--
(1) Hearings.--The Commission may, for the purpose of
carrying out this Act--
(A) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times
and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence,
and administer such oaths as the Commission considers
advisable to carry out its duties; and
(B) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence,
memoranda, papers, documents, tapes, and materials as
the Commission considers advisable to carry out its
duties.
(2) Information from federal agencies.--The Commission may
request directly, or require, by subpoena or otherwise, from
any Federal agency such information as the Commission considers
necessary to carry out its duties. Upon a request of the
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency
shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(3) Issuance and enforcement of subpoenas.--
(A) Issuance.--Subpoenas issued under paragraph (1)
or (2) shall bear the signature of the Chairperson of
the Commission and shall be served by any person or
class of persons designated by the Chairperson for that
purpose.
(B) Enforcement.--In the case of contumacy or
failure to obey a subpoena issued under paragraph (1)
or (2), the United States district court for the
judicial district in which the subpoenaed person
resides, is served, or may be found may issue an order
requiring such person to appear at any designated place
to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence.
Any failure to obey the order of the court may be
punished by the court as a contempt of that court.
(4) Witness allowances and fees.--Section 1821 of title 28,
United States Code, shall apply to witnesses requested or
subpoenaed to appear at any hearing of the Commission. The per
diem and mileage allowances for witnesses shall be paid from
funds available to pay the expenses of the Commission.
(5) Information from the congressional budget office and
office of management and budget.--The Commission may secure
directly from the Congressional Budget Office and Office of
Management and Budget such information, including estimates and
analysis, as the Commission considers advisable to carry out
its duties. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission,
the Director of the Congressional Budget Office or Office of
Management and Budget shall furnish such information, including
estimates and analysis, to the Commission.
(6) Information from the library of congress.--Upon the
request of the Commission, the Librarian of Congress shall
provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis,
administrative support services, research services, and
research staff necessary for the Commission to carry out its
responsibilities under this Act.
(e) Staff of the Commission.--
(1) Appointment and compensation of staff.--The Chairperson
may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and
such other employees as may be necessary to enable the
Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the
provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service, but at rates not to
exceed the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for a position
at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of
title 5 of the United States Code.
(2) Agency assistance.--Upon the request of the
Chairperson, the head of any agency may detail an employee of
the agency to the Commission without reimbursement, and such
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service
status or privilege.
(f) Consultant, Temporary, and Intermittent Services.--The
Chairperson of the Commission is authorized to procure the services of
experts and consultants and temporary and intermittent services in
accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at
rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position
at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5,
United States Code, for each day during which such consultant or expert
is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission.
(g) Consideration of Suggestions From the Public Through Website.--
In carrying out its duties under this Act, the Commission shall--
(1) establish a website for the purpose of allowing any
member of the public to submit suggestions to the Commission
for its consideration; and
(2) consider each such suggestion submitted through the
website.
(h) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United
States Code, shall not apply to the Commission.
(i) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the day after
the earlier of--
(1) the date on which the Commission bill is enacted into
law; or
(2) the last day of the Congress during which the
Commission bill is introduced in the Senate or the House under
section 5(a).
SEC. 5. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES.
(a) Introduction of Commission Bill.--The Commission bill--
(1) shall be introduced in the Senate (by request), with
any technical changes necessary to carry out the intent of the
bill, by the majority leader of the Senate or by a Member of
the Senate designated by the majority leader of the Senate not
later than 5 legislative days after the date on which the bill
is submitted to Congress under section 4(b)(4); and
(2) shall be introduced in the House of Representatives (by
request), with any technical changes necessary to carry out the
intent of the bill, by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives or by a Member of the House of Representatives
designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives not
later than 5 legislative days after the date on which the bill
is submitted to Congress under section 4(b)(4).
(b) Expedited Consideration in House of Representatives.--
(1) Placement on calendar.--Upon introduction in the House
of Representatives, the Commission bill shall be placed
immediately on the appropriate calendar.
(2) Proceeding to consideration.--
(A) In general.--It shall be in order, not later
than 90 legislative days after the date the Commission
bill is introduced in the House of Representatives, to
move to proceed to consider the Commission bill in the
House of Representatives.
(B) Procedure.--For a motion to proceed to consider
the Commission bill--
(i) all points of order against the motion
are waived;
(ii) such a motion shall not be in order
after the House of Representatives has disposed
of a motion to proceed on the Commission bill;
(iii) the previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the motion to its
adoption without intervening motion;
(iv) the motion shall not be debatable; and
(v) a motion to reconsider the vote by
which the motion is disposed of shall not be in
order.
(3) Consideration.--When the House of Representatives
proceeds to consideration of the Commission bill--
(A) the Commission bill shall be considered as
read;
(B) all points of order against the Commission bill
and against its consideration are waived;
(C) the previous question shall be considered as
ordered on the Commission bill to its passage without
intervening motion except 10 hours of debate equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an
opponent;
(D) an amendment to the Commission bill shall not
be in order; and
(E) a motion to reconsider the vote on passage of
the Commission bill shall not be in order.
(4) Vote on passage.--In the House of Representatives, the
Commission bill shall be agreed to upon a vote of a majority of
the Members present and voting, a quorum being present.
(c) Expedited Consideration in Senate.--
(1) Placement on calendar.--Upon introduction in the
Senate, the Commission bill shall be placed immediately on the
calendar.
(2) Proceeding to consideration.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding rule XXII of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in order, not later
than 90 legislative days after the date the Commission
bill is introduced in the Senate (even though a
previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed
to) to move to proceed to the consideration of the
Commission bill.
(B) Procedure.--For a motion to proceed to the
consideration of the Commission bill--
(i) all points of order against the motion
are waived;
(ii) the motion is not debatable;
(iii) the motion is not subject to a motion
to postpone;
(iv) a motion to reconsider the vote by
which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to
shall not be in order; and
(v) if the motion is agreed to, the
Commission bill shall remain the unfinished
business until disposed of.
(3) Floor consideration.--
(A) In general.--If the Senate proceeds to
consideration of the Commission bill--
(i) all points of order against the
Commission bill (and against consideration of
the Commission bill) are waived;
(ii) consideration of the Commission bill,
and all debatable motions and appeals in
connection therewith, shall be limited to not
more than 30 hours, which shall be divided
equally between the majority and minority
leaders or their designees;
(iii) a motion further to limit debate is
in order and not debatable;
(iv) an amendment to, a motion to postpone,
or a motion to commit the Commission bill is
not in order; and
(v) a motion to proceed to the
consideration of other business is not in
order.
(B) Vote on passage.--In the Senate--
(i) the vote on passage shall occur
immediately following the conclusion of the
consideration of the Commission bill, and a
single quorum call at the conclusion of the
debate if requested in accordance with the
rules of the Senate; and
(ii) the Commission bill shall be agreed to
upon a vote of a majority of the Members
present and voting, a quorum being present.
(C) Rulings of the chair on procedure.--Appeals
from the decisions of the Chair relating to the
application of this subsection or the rules of the
Senate, as the case may be, to the procedure relating
to the Commission bill shall be decided without debate.
(d) Rules Relating to Senate and House of Representatives.--
(1) Coordination with action by other house.--If, before
the passage by one House of the Commission bill of that House,
that House receives from the other House the Commission bill--
(A) the Commission bill of the other House shall
not be referred to a committee; and
(B) with respect to the Commission bill of the
House receiving the resolution--
(i) the procedure in that House shall be
the same as if no Commission bill had been
received from the other House; and
(ii) the vote on passage shall be on the
Commission bill of the other House.
(2) Treatment of commission bill of other house.--If one
House fails to introduce or consider the Commission bill under
this section, the Commission bill of the other House shall be
entitled to expedited floor procedures under this section.
(3) Treatment of companion measures.--If, following passage
of the Commission bill in the Senate, the Senate receives the
companion measure from the House of Representatives, the
companion measure shall not be debatable.
(4) Vetoes.--If the President vetoes the Commission bill,
consideration of a veto message in the Senate under this
section shall be not more than 10 hours equally divided between
the majority and minority leaders or their designees.
(e) Rules of House of Representatives and Senate.--This section is
enacted by Congress--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
and House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is
deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but
applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in
that House in the case of the Commission bill, and supersede
other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with
such rules; and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the
procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and
to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that
House.
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