Title II: Social Security Reform Commission - Establishes the Social Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform Commission to make specific recommendations to Congress for reform of such social security system in a manner that incorporates such objectives. Authorizes appropriations.
Title III: Congressional Consideration of Recommendations - Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of Commission recommendations, which include an expedited procedure.
[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2510 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2510
To establish the Social Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform
Commission.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 4, 2000
Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Moynihan, and Mr. Kerrey) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Social Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform
Commission.
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 ``Social Security Protection,
Preservation, and Reform Commission Act of 2000''.
TITLE I--FINDINGS AND OBJECTIVES OF REFORM
SEC. 101. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Two-thirds of Americans depend on social security for
half or more of their income and 47 percent of beneficiaries
would be in poverty without their social security benefits.
(2) Social security is an unbreakable compact between
workers and retirees across generations that must be honored
and needs to be sustained.
(3) The social security trust funds will begin to run a
cash-flow deficit in 2015 and trust fund assets are expected to
be exhausted by 2037.
(4) Americans covered by the social security program are
required to pay into a system from which they can expect lower
rates of return than earlier generations.
(5) Each year that comprehensive reform of the social
security system is postponed, restoring actuarial solvency to
the trust funds becomes more expensive and places a greater
financial burden on current and future workers.
SEC. 102. OBJECTIVES OF REFORM.
Congress must act to reform the social security system so that--
(1) beneficiaries receive the benefits to which they are
entitled based on a fair and equitable reform of that system;
(2) the long-term solvency of the social security system is
guaranteed for at least 75 years without any foreseeable
funding shortfall immediately following that period and cash-
flow deficits and pressure on future general revenues to pay
benefits is significantly reduced;
(3) every generation of workers is guaranteed a reasonable
comparable rate of return on all tax contributions;
(4) all Americans, particularly low-income workers, are
provided the opportunity to share in our Nation's economic
prosperity and create wealth for themselves and future
generations through a private investment account under that
system;
(5) revenues flowing into the Federal Old-Age, Survivors,
and Disability Trust Funds are protected from congressional or
other efforts to spend on nonsocial security related purposes;
and
(6) resources are made available from surplus non-social
security revenues to preserve and protect the social security
system while implementing reform.
TITLE II--SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM COMMISSION
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
There is established a commission to be known as the Social
Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform Commission (in this title
referred to as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 202. DUTIES.
(a) Recommendations for Reform.--Not later than September 1, 2001,
the Commission shall make specific recommendations to Congress for
reform of the social security system established under title II of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) in a manner that
incorporates the objectives of reform set forth in section 102.
(b) Legislative Language.--The recommendations required under
subsection (a) shall include legislative language necessary for
carrying out such recommendations. The Commission shall develop such
legislative language after conducting such public hearings and
consulting with such public or private entities as the Commission
considers necessary and appropriate to make the recommendations
required under subsection (a).
SEC. 203. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall be composed of 13 members as
follows:
(1) Two congressional Members shall be appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) Two congressional Members shall be appointed by the
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(3) Two congressional Members shall be appointed by the
Majority Leader of the Senate.
(4) Two congressional Members shall be appointed by the
Minority Leader of the Senate.
(5) The Chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(6) The Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance of the
Senate.
(7) The Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the
House of Representatives.
(8) The Ranking Member of the Committee on Ways and Means
of the House of Representatives.
(10) The Commissioner of Social Security, who shall be an
ex officio member of the Commission.
(b) Deadline for Appointments.--The members of the Commission shall
be appointed not later than February 1, 2001.
(c) Co-Chairmen.--The Commission shall designate 2 members of the
Commission to serve as Co-chairmen of the Commission.
(d) Terms.--Each member of the Commission shall serve on the
Commission and, with respect to the Co-chairmen, in such capacity,
until the earlier of the date the Commission terminates or September
16, 2001.
(e) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission
shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was
made and shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute
the duties of the Commission.
SEC. 204. QUORUM.
A quorum shall consist of 7 voting members of the Commission.
SEC. 205. MEETINGS.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the Co-
chairmen or a majority of its members.
(b) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall conduct its first
meeting not later than March 1, 2001.
(c) Open Meetings.--Each meeting of the Commission, other than
meetings in which classified information is to be discussed, shall be
open to the public.
SEC. 206. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
The Commission shall establish policies and procedures for carrying
out the functions of the Commission under this Act.
SEC. 207. STAFF DIRECTOR AND STAFF.
(a) Staff Director.--The Co-chairmen, with the advice and consent
of the members of the Commission, shall appoint a Staff Director who is
not otherwise, and has not during the 1-year period preceding the date
of such appointment served as, an officer or employee in the executive
branch and who is not and has not been a Member of Congress. The Staff
Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay
payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
title 5, United States Code.
(b) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Staff Director, with the approval of
the Commission, may appoint and fix pay of additional
personnel. The Staff Director may take such appointments
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States
Code, governing appointment in the competitive service, and any
personnel so appointed may be paid without regard to the
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay
rates, except that an individual so appointed may not receive
pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level
V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(2) Detailees.--
(A) In general.--Upon request of the Staff
Director, the head of any Federal department or agency
may detail any of the personnel of that department or
agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in
carrying out its duties under this Act. Not more than
\1/3\ of the personnel employed by or detailed to the
Commission may be on detail from any Federal agency.
(B) Additional restrictions.--
(i) Personnel.--Not more than \1/3\ of the
personnel detailed to the Commission may be on
detail from any Federal agency that deals
directly or indirectly with the administration
of the social security system.
(ii) Analysts.--Not more than \1/5\ of the
professional analysts of the Commission may be
individuals detailed from a Federal agency that
deals directly or indirectly with the
administration of the social security system.
(3) Experts and consultants.--The Commission may procure by
contract, to the extent funds are available, the temporary or
intermittent services of experts or consultants pursuant to
section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Federal officer or employee.--No member of a Federal
agency, and no officer or employee of a Federal agency may--
(A) prepare any report concerning the
effectiveness, fitness, or efficiency of the
performance on the staff of the Commission of any
individual detailed from a Federal agency to that
staff;
(B) review the preparation of such report; or
(C) approve or disapprove such a report.
(5) Limitation on staff size.--Not more than 25 individuals
(including any detailees) may serve on the staff of the
Commission at any time.
SEC. 208. POWERS.
(a) Hearings and Other Activities.--For the purpose of carrying out
its duties, the Commission may hold such hearings and undertake such
other activities as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry
out its duties.
(b) Studies by General Accounting Office.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Comptroller General shall conduct such studies or
investigations as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry
out its duties.
(c) Cost Estimates by Congressional Budget Office.--Upon the
request of the Commission, the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office shall provide to the Commission such cost estimates as the
Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties.
(d) Technical Assistance.--Upon the request of the Commission, the
head of a Federal agency shall provide such technical assistance to the
Commission as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out
its duties.
(e) Use of Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails
in the same manner and under the same conditions as Federal agencies,
and shall, for purposes of the frank, be considered a commission of
Congress as described in section 3215 of title 39, United States Code.
(f) Obtaining Information.--The Commission may secure directly from
any Federal agency information necessary to enable it to carry out its
duties, if the information may be disclosed under section 552 of title
5, United States Code. Upon request of the Co-chairmen of the
Commission, the head of such agency shall furnish such information to
the Commission.
(g) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission on a reimbursable basis such administrative support services
as the Commission may request.
(h) Acceptance of Donations.--The Commission may accept, use, and
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
(i) Printing.--For purposes of costs relating to printing and
binding, including the costs of personnel detailed from the Government
Printing Office, the Commission shall be deemed to be a committee of
the Congress.
SEC. 209. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 15 days after the date of submission
of the recommendations for reform required under section 202.
SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title,
such sums as may be necessary for the Commission to carry out its
duties under this title.
TITLE III--CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
SEC. 301. CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.
(a) Introduction of Recommendations and Committee Consideration.--
(1) Introduction.--The legislative language transmitted
pursuant to section 202(b) with the recommendations for reform
of the Commission shall be in the form of a bill (in this title
referred to as the ``reform bill''). Such reform bill shall be
introduced in the House of Representatives by the Speaker, and
in the Senate, by the Majority Leader, immediately upon receipt
of the language and such reform bill shall be referred to the
appropriate committee of Congress under paragraph (2). If the
reform bill is not introduced in accordance with the preceding
sentence, the reform bill may be introduced in either House of
Congress by any member thereof.
(2) Committee consideration.--
(A) Referral.--A reform bill introduced in the
House of Representatives shall be referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives. A reform bill introduced in the Senate
shall be referred to the Committee on Finance of the
Senate.
(B) Reporting.--Not later than 30 days after the
introduction of the reform bill, the committee of
Congress to which the reform bill was referred shall
report the bill or a committee amendment thereto.
(C) Discharge of committee.--If the committee to
which is referred a reform bill has not reported such
reform bill (or an identical reform bill) at the end of
30 calendar days after its introduction or at the end
of the first day after there has been reported to the
House involved a reform bill, whichever is earlier,
such committee shall be deemed to be discharged from
further consideration of such reform bill and such
reform bill shall be placed on the appropriate calendar
of the House involved.
(b) Expedited Procedure.--
(1) Consideration.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 days after the
date on which a committee has been discharged from
consideration of a reform bill, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, or the Speaker's designee, or
the Majority Leader of the Senate, or the Leader's
designee, shall move to proceed to the consideration of
the committee amendment to the reform bill, and if
there is no such amendment, to the reform bill. It
shall also be in order for any member of the House of
Representatives or the Senate, respectively, to move to
proceed to the consideration of the reform bill at any
time after the conclusion of such 2-day period.
(B) Points of order waived.--All points of order
against the reform bill (and against consideration of
the reform bill) are waived.
(C) Motion to proceed.--A motion to proceed to the
consideration of the reform bill is highly privileged
in the House of Representatives and is privileged in
the Senate and is not debatable. The motion is not
subject to amendment, to a motion to postpone
consideration of the reform bill, or to a motion to
proceed to the consideration of other business. A
motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion to
proceed is agreed to or not agreed to shall not be in
order. If the motion to proceed is agreed to, the House
of Representatives or the Senate, as the case may be,
shall immediately proceed to consideration of the
reform bill without intervening motion, order, or other
business, and the reform bill shall remain the
unfinished business of the House of Representatives or
the Senate, as the case may be, until disposed of.
(D) Limited debate.--Debate on the reform bill and
on all debatable motions and appeals in connection
therewith shall be limited to not more than the lesser
of 100 hours or 14 days, which shall be divided equally
between those favoring and those opposing the reform
bill. A motion further to limit debate on the reform
bill is in order and not debatable.
(E) Amendments.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
amendments to the reform bill--
(I) during consideration in the
House of Representatives shall be
limited in accordance with a rule
adopted by the Committee on Rules of
the House of Representatives; and
(II) during consideration in the
Senate shall be limited to--
(aa) one first degree
amendment per member or that
member's designee with 1 hour
of debate equally divided; and
(bb) germane second degree
amendments (without limit) with
30 minutes of debate equally
divided.
(ii) Leadership amendments.--The Speaker of
the House of Representatives and the Minority
Leader of the House of Representatives and the
Majority Leader of the Senate and the Minority
Leader of the Senate may each offer 1 first
degree amendment (in addition to the amendments
afforded such members under clause (i)), with 4
hours of debate equally divided on each such
amendment offered. No second degree amendments
may be offered by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives, the Majority Leader
of the Senate, or the Minority Leader of the
Senate in their leadership capacities.
(F) Vote on final passage.--Immediately following
the conclusion of the debate on the reform bill, and on
all amendments offered to the reform bill, and all
votes required on amendments offered to the reform
bill, the vote on final passage of the reform bill
shall occur.
(G) Other motions not in order.--A motion to
postpone consideration of the reform bill, a motion to
proceed to the consideration of other business, or a
motion to recommit the reform bill is not in order. A
motion to reconsider the vote by which the reform bill
is agreed to or not agreed to is not in order.
(H) Appeals.--Appeals from the decisions of the
Chair relating to the application of the rules of the
House of Representatives or of the Senate, as the case
may be, to the procedure relating to the reform bill
shall be decided without debate.
(2) Consideration by other house.--If, before the passage
by one House of the reform bill that was introduced in such
House, such House receives from the other House a reform bill
as passed by such other House--
(A) the reform bill of the other House shall not be
referred to a committee and may only be considered for
final passage in the House that receives it under
subparagraph (C);
(B) the procedure in the House in receipt of the
reform bill of the other House, with respect to the
reform bill that was introduced in the House in receipt
of the reform bill of the other House, shall be the
same as if no reform bill had been received from the
other House; and
(C) notwithstanding subparagraph (B), the vote on
final passage shall be on the reform bill of the other
House.
Upon disposition of a reform bill that is received by one House
from the other House, it shall no longer be in order to
consider the reform bill that was introduced in the receiving
House.
(3) Consideration in conference.--
(A) Convening of conference.--
(i) In general.--Immediately upon a final
passage of the reform bill that results in a
disagreement between the two Houses of Congress
with respect to the bill, the conferees
described in clause (ii) shall be appointed and
a conference convened.
(ii) Conferees described.--The conferees
described in this clause are the following:
(I) The Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(II) The Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives.
(III) The Majority Leader of the
Senate.
(IV) The Minority Leader of the
Senate.
(V) Each member of the Committee on
Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
(VI) Each member of the Committee
on Finance of the Senate.
(B) Deadline for report.--Not later than 14 days
after the date on which conferees are appointed, the
conferees shall file a report with the House of
Representatives and the Senate resolving the
differences between the Houses on the reform bill.
(C) Limitation on scope.--A report filed under
subparagraph (B) shall be limited to resolution of the
differences between the Houses on the reform bill and
shall not include any other matter.
(D) House consideration.--
(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
rule of the House of Representatives, it shall
be in order to immediately consider a report of
a committee of conference on the reform bill
filed in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(ii) Debate.--Debate in the House of
Representatives on the conference report shall
be limited to the lesser of 50 hours or 7 days,
equally divided and controlled by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and the
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
or their designees.
(iii) Limitation on motions.--A motion to
further limit debate on the conference report
is not debatable. A motion to recommit the
conference report is not in order, and it is
not in order to move to reconsider the vote by
which the conference report is agreed to or
disagreed to.
(iv) Vote on final passage.--A vote on
final passage of the conference report shall
occur immediately at the conclusion or yielding
back of all time for debate on the conference
report.
(E) Senate consideration.--
(i) In general.--The motion to proceed to
consideration in the Senate of the conference
report shall not be debatable and the reading
of such conference report shall be deemed to
have been waived.
(ii) Debate.--Consideration in the Senate
of the conference report on a reform bill shall
be limited to the lesser of 50 hours or 7 days,
equally divided and controlled by the Majority
Leader and the Minority Leader or their
designees.
(iii) Limitation on motion to recommit.--A
motion to recommit the conference report is not
in order.
(4) Rules of the senate and house of representatives.--This
subsection is enacted by Congress--
(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the
Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, and
is deemed to be 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 a
bill, and it supersedes other rules only to the extent
that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(B) with full recognition of the constitutional
right of either House to change the rules (so far as
they relate 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.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3524-3526)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3526-3528)
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