I 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 841 

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 29, 2019 

Mr. DAVIDSON of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 

Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on 

Education and Labor, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, and 

the Judiciary, 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. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘People-Centered As5 sistance Reform Effort Act’’ or the ‘‘People CARE Act’’. 


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1 SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 

2 The purpose of this Act is to structure means-tested 

3 welfare programs so that— 

4 (1) welfare programs work in an integrated 

5 manner and provide social workers with the tools to 

6 assist people holistically; 

7 (2) welfare programs work together in a 

8 streamlined and comprehensible manner, and, over 

9 time, individuals on such programs will earn enough 

10 income on their own to transition off of means-test11 ed welfare programs; and 

12 (3) means-tested welfare programs increase em13 ployment, encourage healthy families and further 

14 educational attainment so that households maintain 

15 an income above the poverty level without services 

16 and benefits from the Federal Government. 

17 SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF MEANS-TESTED WELFARE PRO18 GRAM. 

19 (a) MEANS-TESTED WELFARE PROGRAM.—In this 

20 Act, the term ‘‘means-tested welfare program’’— 

21 (1) means any Federal program that is de22 signed to specifically provide assistance or benefits 

23 exclusively to low-income Americans; 

24 (2) does not include such a program if the pro25 gram— 

26 (A) is based on earned eligibility; 


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1 (B) is not need-based; 

2 (C) provides to an individual benefits 

3 under title 38, United States Code, or other 

4 provisions of law administered by the Secretary 

5 of Veterans Affairs; or 

6 (D) offers universal or near universal eligi7 bility to the working population and their de8 pendents; and 

9 (3) includes community and economic develop10 ment programs targeted to low-income communities 

11 or populations. 

12 (b) PROGRAMS INCLUDED.—For purposes of sub13 section (a), the following Federal programs shall be con14 sidered means-tested welfare programs: 

15 (1) CASH AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE.— 

16 (A) The Supplemental Security Income 

17 program under title XVI of the Social Security 

18 Act. 

19 (B) The earned income tax credit deter20 mined under section 32 of the Internal Revenue 

21 Code of 1986. 

22 (C) The refundable portion of the child tax 

23 credit determined under section 24 of the Inter24 nal Revenue Code of 1986. 


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1 (D) The program of block grants to States 

2 for temporary assistance for needy families 

3 under part A of title IV of the Social Security 

4 Act. 

5 (E) The foster care and adoption assist6 ance program under part E of title IV of the 

7 Social Security Act. 

8 (F) General Assistance to Indians. 

9 (G) The programs operated under the As10 sets for Independence Act. 

11 (2) MEDICAL.— 

12 (A) The Medicaid program under title XIX 

13 of the Social Security Act. 

14 (B) The State Children’s Health Insurance 

15 Program under title XXI of the Social Security 

16 Act. 

17 (C) Health programs operated by the In18 dian Health Service, Indian tribes, tribal orga19 nizations, and Urban Indian organizations (as 

20 those terms are defined in section 4 of the In21 dian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 

22 1603)). 

23 (D) The health center programs under sec24 tion 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 

25 U.S.C. 254b). 


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1 (E) The Maternal and Child Health Serv2 ices Block Grant program under title V of the 

3 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 701 et seq.). 

4 (F) The Healthy Start Initiative under 

5 section 330H of the Public Health Service Act 

6 (42 U.S.C. 254c–8). 

7 (G) Premium tax credits and cost sharing 

8 reductions available pursuant to the Patient 

9 Protection and Affordable Health Care Act 

10 (PPACA) and the amendments made by such 

11 Act. 

12 (3) FOOD.— 

13 (A) The supplemental nutrition assistance 

14 program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 

15 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). 

16 (B) The school lunch program under the 

17 Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 

18 (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.). 

19 (C) The special supplemental nutrition 

20 program for women, infants, and children under 

21 section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 

22 U.S.C. 1786). 

23 (D) The school breakfast program under 

24 section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 

25 (42 U.S.C. 1773). 


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1 (E) The child and adult care food program 

2 under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell Na3 tional School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766). 

4 (F) The nutrition services programs under 

5 the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 

6 3001 et seq.). 

7 (G) The summer food service program for 

8 children under section 13 of the Richard B. 

9 Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 

10 1761). 

11 (H) The commodity supplemental food 

12 program under section 4 of the Agriculture and 

13 Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 

14 612c note). 

15 (I) Commodity distribution programs 

16 under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 

17 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.). 

18 (J) The seniors farmers’ market nutrition 

19 program under section 3007 of Public Law 

20 107–171 (7 U.S.C. 3007). 

21 (K) The special milk program established 

22 under section 3 of the Child Nutrition Act of 

23 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1772). 

24 (4) HOUSING.— 


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1 (A) The rental assistance program under 

2 section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 

3 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f). 

4 (B) The public housing program under 

5 title I of the United States Housing Act of 

6 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.). 

7 (C) The Home Investment Partnerships 

8 Program under title II of the Cranston-Gon9 zalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 

10 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.). 

11 (D) The programs for homeless assistance 

12 under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 

13 Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.). 

14 (E) The rural housing programs under 

15 title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 

16 1471 et seq.). 

17 (F) The program for supportive housing 

18 for elderly persons under section 202 of the 

19 Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q). 

20 (G) The program for Native American 

21 housing block grants under the Native Amer22 ican Housing Assistance and Self-Determina23 tion Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.). 

24 (H) The program for supportive housing 

25 for persons with disabilities under section 811 


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1 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 

2 Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013). 

3 (5) ENERGY AND UTILITIES.— 

4 (A) Low-income home energy assistance 

5 under the Low-Income Home Energy Assist6 ance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.). 

7 (B) The Lifeline Assistance Program of 

8 the Federal Communications Commission and 

9 the Tribal Link Up assistance program defined 

10 in section 54.413 of title 47, Code of Federal 

11 Regulations. 

12 (C) Weatherization assistance for low-in13 come persons under part A of title IV of the 

14 Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 

15 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.). 

16 (6) EDUCATION.— 

17 (A) Federal Pell Grants under subpart 1 

18 of part IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 

19 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.). 

20 (B) Grants for improving basic programs 

21 operated by local educational agencies under 

22 part A of title I of the Elementary and Sec23 ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 

24 et seq.). 


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1 (C) Federal TRIO programs under chapter 

2 1 of subpart 2 of title IV of the Higher Edu3 cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et 

4 seq.). 

5 (D) Federal supplemental educational op6 portunity grants under subpart 3 of part A of 

7 title IV the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 

8 U.S.C. 1070b et seq.). 

9 (E) Programs for the education of migra10 tory children under part C of title 1 of the Ele11 mentary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 

12 (20 U.S.C. 6391 et seq.). 

13 (F) Gaining early awareness and readiness 

14 for undergraduate programs under chapter 2 of 

15 subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher 

16 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–21 et 

17 seq.). 

18 (G) The education for homeless children 

19 and youth program under subtitle B of title VII 

20 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 

21 Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). 

22 (H) The leveraging educational assistance 

23 partnership program of subpart 4 of part A of 

24 title IV the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 

25 U.S.C. 1070c et seq.). 


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1 (7) TRAINING.— 

2 (A) Job Corps under subtitle C of title I 

3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 

4 Act (29 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.). 

5 (B) Adult employment and training activi6 ties under title I of the Workforce Innovation 

7 and Opportunity Act (20 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.). 

8 (C) Senior community service employment 

9 programs under title V of the Older Americans 

10 Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.). 

11 (D) Employment and training programs 

12 under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 

13 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). 

14 (E) Migrant and seasonal farmworker pro15 grams under section 167 of the Workforce In16 novation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 

17 3222). 

18 (F) The YouthBuild Program under sec19 tion 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Op20 portunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3226). 

21 (G) Native American Programs under sec22 tion 166 of the Workforce Innovation and Op23 portunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221). 

24 (8) SERVICES.— 


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1 (A) The Social Services Block Grant pro2 gram under title XX of the Social Security Act. 

3 (B) Programs under the Community Serv4 ices Block Grant Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9901 

5 et seq.). 

6 (C) Services for aliens admitted to the 

7 United States as refugees or granted asylum in 

8 the United States, and other special populations 

9 of aliens. 

10 (D) State and community programs on 

11 aging that receive Federal funds. 

12 (E) Legal Services Corporation. 

13 (F) Family planning services under title X 

14 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 

15 300 et seq.). 

16 (G) The Emergency Food and Shelter Pro17 gram for homeless persons under title III of the 

18 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 

19 U.S.C. 11331 et seq.). 

20 (H) The AmeriCorps VISTA program 

21 under subtitle C of title I of the National and 

22 Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 

23 12571 et seq.). 

24 (9) CHILD CARE AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT.— 


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1 (A) Head Start programs and Early Head 

2 Start programs under the Head Start Act (42 

3 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.). 

4 (B) Programs under the Child Care and 

5 Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 

6 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.). 

7 (10) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.— 

8 (A) The Community Development Block 

9 Grant Program under title I of the Housing 

10 and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 

11 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.). 

12 (B) Programs administered by the Eco13 nomic Development Administration under the 

14 Public Works and Economic Development Act 

15 of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.). 

16 (C) Programs administered by the Appa17 lachian Regional Commission under subtitle IV 

18 of title 40, United States Code. 

19 (D) Empowerment zones and enterprise 

20 communities under subchapter U, and renewal 

21 communities under subchapter X, of the Inter22 nal Revenue Code of 1986. 

23 (c) PROGRAMS EXCLUDED.—For purposes of sub24 section (a), the following Federal programs shall not be 

25 considered means-tested welfare programs: 


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1 (1) The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability In2 surance Benefit program under title II of the Social 

3 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.). 

4 (2) The Medicare program under title XVIII of 

5 the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). 

6 (3) A program designed exclusively or primarily 

7 to provide to an individual benefits under title 38, 

8 United States Code, or other provisions of law ad9 ministered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

10 (4) A program that provides for the receipt of 

11 ‘‘regular compensation’’, ‘‘extended compensation’’, 

12 or ‘‘additional compensation’’ (as such terms are de13 fined by section 205 of the Federal-State Extended 

14 Unemployment Compensation Act (26 U.S.C. 3304 

15 note)). 

16 (5) The program that provides for trade adjust17 ment assistance under title II of the Trade Act of 

18 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.). 

19 (6) Programs designed specifically to provide 

20 benefits to workers to compensate for job-related in21 juries or illnesses. 

22 (d) SPECIAL RULES.— 

23 (1)(A) For purposes of subsection (a), only the 

24 refundable portion of the following tax credits shall 

25 be considered means-tested welfare programs: 


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1 (i) The earned income tax credit under sec2 tion 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 

3 (ii) The child tax credit under section 

4 24(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 

5 (B) For purposes of subsection (a), only the re6 fundable portion of the premium and out-of-pocket 

7 health care subsidies to be paid under the Patient 

8 Protection and Affordable Health Care Act shall be 

9 considered a means-tested welfare program. 

10 (C) For purposes of this subparagraph, the 

11 term ‘‘refundable portion’’ means the portion of the 

12 credit which is paid to an individual in excess of the 

13 amount of Federal income tax owed by the indi14 vidual. 

15 (2) For purposes of subsection (a), only the 

16 costs of the free and reduced price segments of the 

17 school lunch and school breakfast programs shall be 

18 considered means-tested welfare programs. 

19 (e) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL EX20 PENDITURES.—For purposes of subsection (a), expendi21 tures by State and local governments of funds that are— 

22 (1) obtained by the State and local government 

23 from taxes, fees, or other sources of revenue estab24 lished by the State or local government; and 


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1 (2) not received as any form of grant from the 

2 Federal Government, 

3 shall not be considered means-tested welfare programs, 

4 without regard to whether the State and local expenditures 

5 take the form of contributions to a Federal program de6 scribed in subsection (a) or listed in subsection (b). 

7 SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF PEOPLE-CENTERED ASSIST8 ANCE REFORM EFFORT COMMISSION. 

9 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 

10 legislative branch a commission to be known as the ‘‘Peo11 ple-Centered Assistance Reform Effort Commission’’ or 

12 the ‘‘CARE Commission’’ (in this Act referred to as the 

13 ‘‘Commission’’). 

14 (b) DUTIES.— 

15 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission— 

16 (A) shall review all means-tested welfare 

17 programs within the Federal Government to— 

18 (i) identify changes in law (which may 

19 include ways to streamline functions and 

20 increase efficiency within agencies or pro21 grams) that will achieve the purposes set 

22 forth in section 2; 

23 (ii) evaluate whether each means-test24 ed welfare program could be consolidated 

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1 gram, or a program subject to the avail2 ability of discretionary appropriations with 

3 similar goals, and make recommendations 

4 for consolidating the programs that are 

5 identified; 

6 (iii) evaluate the potential benefits of 

7 consolidating or repurposing any means8 tested welfare program that does not have 

9 proven beneficial outcomes that assist in 

10 achieving purposes set forth in section 2 

11 and make recommendations regarding con12 solidating or repurposing means-tested wel13 fare programs that are identified; 

14 (iv) identify opportunities and make 

15 recommendations regarding ways for the 

16 Federal Government to reduce the cost or 

17 increase the efficiency of means-tested wel18 fare program by contracting with private 

19 entities, or delegating authority to States, 

20 to perform activities relating to the pro21 gram; 

22 (v) identify means-tested welfare pro23 grams and entitlement authorities that 

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1 ject to the availability of discretionary ap2 propriations; 

3 (vi) identify changes to the law that 

4 would allow caseworkers to have a 

5 wholistic view of the person and all pro6 grams for which the individual or family 

7 would be eligible, and identify other tools 

8 that caseworkers should have access to in 

9 order to achieve the goals set forth in sec10 tion 2; 

11 (vii) identify and eliminate benefit 

12 cliffs by designing on/off ramps such as 

13 gradual benefit reductions as individuals’ 

14 wages increase, such that the gradual re15 duction in government benefits does not 

16 exceed the increase in wages; and 

17 (viii) identify other ways to achieve 

18 the purposes set forth in section 2 as de19 termined by the Commission; 

20 (B) in carrying out subparagraph (A), es21 tablish a system for evaluating the effectiveness 

22 of welfare programs, which includes income and 

23 employment outcomes for individuals and fami24 lies in their respective programs, and engage in 

25 such other activities as the Committee deems 


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1 appropriate to evaluate the effectiveness of the 

2 programs; 

3 (C) may review the offsetting receipts and 

4 discretionary appropriations of the Federal 

5 Government, as determined appropriate by the 

6 Commission; and 

7 (D) may develop the criteria for achieving 

8 the purposes set forth in section 2. 

9 (2) CONSULTATION AND WORKING GROUPS.— 

10 (A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the re11 view under paragraph (1)(A), the Commission 

12 shall— 

13 (i) consult with experts in company 

14 restructuring, reorganizing, and cost cut15 ting; and 

16 (ii) establish working groups for 

17 means-tested welfare programs, as deter18 mined appropriate by the Commission, to 

19 provide recommendations to the Commis20 sion. 

21 (B) MEMBERS OF WORKING GROUPS.—The 

22 individuals serving on a working group estab23 lished under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be em24 ployees or contractors of the Commission with 


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1 expertise in a program reviewed by the working 

2 group. 

3 (3) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after 

4 the date on which all members of the Commission 

5 are appointed, and upon an affirmative vote of a 

6 majority of the members of the Commission, the 

7 Commission shall submit to Congress and make pub8 licly available a report containing— 

9 (A) a detailed statement of the findings, 

10 conclusions, and recommendations of the Com11 mission; and 

12 (B) the assumptions, scenarios, and alter13 natives considered in reaching such findings, 

14 conclusions, and recommendations. 

15 (4) LEGISLATION TO CARRY OUT CHANGES IN

16 LAW TO ACHIEVE PURPOSES.—The Commission 

17 shall— 

18 (A) identify changes in law that will result 

19 in the consolidation and realignment in pro20 grams and outlays that will achieve the pur21 poses set forth in section 2; 

22 (B) include in the report submitted under 

23 paragraph (3) a bill consisting of proposed leg24 islative language to carry out the changes in 

25 law identified under subparagraph (A) (in this 


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1 Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission bill’’), ex2 cept that the bill may not include provisions 

3 creating a new program or agency, unless such 

4 program or agency is the result of a consolida5 tion or realignment of existing programs and 

6 agencies which will have the predicted outcome 

7 of achieving the purposes of section 2; and 

8 (C) include in such report an estimate of 

9 the savings in outlays that will be achieved by 

10 the enactment of the Commission bill, as devel11 oped in conjunction with the Director of the 

12 Congressional Budget Office and the Director 

13 of the Office of Management and Budget. 

14 (5) INFORMATION TO MEMBERS OF CON15 GRESS.—After submission of the Commission bill 

16 under paragraph (4), the Commission shall promptly 

17 provide, upon request, to any Member of Congress 

18 information used by the Commission in making its 

19 recommendations. 

20 (c) MEMBERSHIP.— 

21 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 

22 composed of 8 members, appointed as follows: 

23 (A) The majority leader of the Senate shall 

24 appoint 2 members. 


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1 (B) The minority leader of the Senate shall 

2 appoint 2 members. 

3 (C) The Speaker of the House of Rep4 resentatives shall appoint 2 members. 

5 (D) The minority leader of the House of 

6 Representatives shall appoint 2 members. 

7 (2) DISQUALIFICATIONS.—An individual may 

8 not be appointed as a member of the Commission if 

9 the individual was registered as a lobbyist under the 

10 Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et 

11 seq.) at any time during the 5-year period ending on 

12 the date of the appointment. 

13 (3) CHAIRPERSON.—The members of the Com14 mission shall select a Chairperson from among the 

15 members of the Commission. 

16 (4) DATE.—Not later than 1 month after the 

17 date of enactment of this Act, all members of the 

18 Commission shall be appointed. 

19 (5) PERIOD OF DESIGNATION.—Members shall 

20 be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any va21 cancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, 

22 but shall be filled not later than 14 days after the 

23 date on which the vacancy occurs in the same man24 ner as the original appointment. 

25 (6) COMPENSATION.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the 

2 Commission shall be compensated at a rate 

3 equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate 

4 of basic pay prescribed for a position at level IV 

5 of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 

6 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (in7 cluding travel time) during which such member 

8 is engaged in the performance of the duties of 

9 the Commission. 

10 (B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members may be 

11 allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 

12 lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 

13 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code, 

14 while away from their homes or regular places 

15 of business in performance of services for the 

16 Commission. 

17 (d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 

18 (1) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the 

19 purpose of carrying out this Act— 

20 (A) hold such hearings, sit and act at such 

21 times and places, take such testimony, receive 

22 such evidence, and administer such oaths as the 

23 Commission considers advisable to carry out its 

24 duties; and 


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1 (B) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the 

2 attendance and testimony of such witnesses and 

3 the production of such books, records, cor4 respondence, memoranda, papers, documents, 

5 tapes, and materials as the Commission con6 siders advisable to carry out its duties. 

7 (2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 

8 The Commission may request directly, or require, by 

9 subpoena or otherwise, from any Federal agency 

10 such information as the Commission considers nec11 essary to carry out its duties. Upon a request of the 

12 Chairperson of the Commission, the head of a Fed13 eral agency shall furnish such information to the 

14 Commission. 

15 (3) ISSUANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF SUB16 POENAS.— 

17 (A) ISSUANCE.—Subpoenas issued under 

18 paragraph (1) or (2) shall bear the signature of 

19 the Chairperson of the Commission and shall be 

20 served by any person or class of persons des21 ignated by the Chairperson for that purpose. 

22 (B) ENFORCEMENT.—In the case of contu23 macy or failure to obey a subpoena issued 

24 under paragraph (1) or (2), the United States 

25 district court for the judicial district in which 


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1 the subpoenaed person resides, is served, or 

2 may be found may issue an order requiring 

3 such person to appear at any designated place 

4 to testify or to produce documentary or other 

5 evidence. Any failure to obey the order of the 

6 court may be punished by the court as a con7 tempt of that court. 

8 (4) WITNESS ALLOWANCES AND FEES.—Section 

9 1821 of title 28, United States Code, shall apply to 

10 witnesses requested or subpoenaed to appear at any 

11 hearing of the Commission. The per diem and mile12 age allowances for witnesses shall be paid from 

13 funds available to pay the expenses of the Commis14 sion. 

15 (5) INFORMATION FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL

16 BUDGET OFFICE AND OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND

17 BUDGET.—The Commission may secure directly 

18 from the Congressional Budget Office and Office of 

19 Management and Budget such information, includ20 ing estimates and analysis, as the Commission con21 siders advisable to carry out its duties. Upon request 

22 of the Chairperson of the Commission, the Director 

23 of the Congressional Budget Office or Office of 

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1 tion, including estimates and analysis, to the Com2 mission. 

3 (6) INFORMATION FROM THE LIBRARY OF CON4 GRESS.—Upon the request of the Commission, the 

5 Librarian of Congress shall provide to the Commis6 sion, on a reimbursable basis, administrative support 

7 services, research services, and research staff nec8 essary for the Commission to carry out its respon9 sibilities under this Act. 

10 (e) STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.— 

11 (1) APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF

12 STAFF.—The Chairperson may appoint and fix the 

13 compensation of a staff director and such other em14 ployees as may be necessary to enable the Commis15 sion to carry out its functions, without regard to the 

16 provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 

17 appointments in the competitive service, but at rates 

18 not to exceed the annual rate of basic pay prescribed 

19 for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule 

20 under section 5316 of title 5 of the United States 

21 Code. 

22 (2) AGENCY ASSISTANCE.—Upon the request of 

23 the Chairperson, the head of any agency may detail 

24 an employee of the agency to the Commission with25 out reimbursement, and such detail shall be without 


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1 interruption or loss of civil service status or privi2 lege. 

3 (f) CONSULTANT, TEMPORARY, AND INTERMITTENT

4 SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Commission is au5 thorized to procure the services of experts and consultants 

6 and temporary and intermittent services in accordance 

7 with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at 

8 rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying 

9 a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under sec10 tion 5316 of title 5, United States Code, for each day dur11 ing which such consultant or expert is engaged in the per12 formance of the duties of the Commission. 

13 (g) CONSIDERATION OF SUGGESTIONS FROM THE

14 PUBLIC THROUGH WEBSITE.—In carrying out its duties 

15 under this Act, the Commission shall— 

16 (1) establish a website for the purpose of allow17 ing any member of the public to submit suggestions 

18 to the Commission for its consideration; and 

19 (2) consider each such suggestion submitted 

20 through the website. 

21 (h) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The 

22 Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 

23 apply to the Commission. 

24 (i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 

25 on the day after the earlier of— 


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1 (1) the date on which the Commission bill is en2 acted into law; or 

3 (2) the last day of the Congress during which 

4 the Commission bill is introduced in the Senate or 

5 the House under section 5(a). 

6 SEC. 5. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES. 

7 (a) INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSION BILL.—The 

8 Commission bill— 

9 (1) shall be introduced in the Senate (by re10 quest), with any technical changes necessary to 

11 carry out the intent of the bill, by the majority lead12 er of the Senate or by a Member of the Senate des13 ignated by the majority leader of the Senate not 

14 later than 5 legislative days after the date on which 

15 the bill is submitted to Congress under section 

16 4(b)(4); and 

17 (2) shall be introduced in the House of Rep18 resentatives (by request), with any technical changes 

19 necessary to carry out the intent of the bill, by the 

20 Speaker of the House of Representatives or by a 

21 Member of the House of Representatives designated 

22 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives not 

23 later than 5 legislative days after the date on which 

24 the bill is submitted to Congress under section 

25 4(b)(4). 


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1 (b) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION IN HOUSE OF REP2 RESENTATIVES.— 

3 (1) PLACEMENT ON CALENDAR.—Upon intro4 duction in the House of Representatives, the Com5 mission bill shall be placed immediately on the ap6 propriate calendar. 

7 (2) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.— 

8 (A) IN GENERAL.—It shall be in order, not 

9 later than 90 legislative days after the date the 

10 Commission bill is introduced in the House of 

11 Representatives, to move to proceed to consider 

12 the Commission bill in the House of Represent13 atives. 

14 (B) PROCEDURE.—For a motion to pro15 ceed to consider the Commission bill— 

16 (i) all points of order against the mo17 tion are waived; 

18 (ii) such a motion shall not be in 

19 order after the House of Representatives 

20 has disposed of a motion to proceed on the 

21 Commission bill; 

22 (iii) the previous question shall be 

23 considered as ordered on the motion to its 

24 adoption without intervening motion; 


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•HR 841 IH

1 (iv) the motion shall not be debatable; 

2 and 

3 (v) a motion to reconsider the vote by 

4 which the motion is disposed of shall not 

5 be in order. 

6 (3) CONSIDERATION.—When the House of Rep7 resentatives proceeds to consideration of the Com8 mission bill— 

9 (A) the Commission bill shall be considered 

10 as read; 

11 (B) all points of order against the Com12 mission bill and against its consideration are 

13 waived; 

14 (C) the previous question shall be consid15 ered as ordered on the Commission bill to its 

16 passage without intervening motion except 10 

17 hours of debate equally divided and controlled 

18 by the proponent and an opponent; 

19 (D) an amendment to the Commission bill 

20 shall not be in order; and 

21 (E) a motion to reconsider the vote on pas22 sage of the Commission bill shall not be in 

23 order. 

24 (4) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—In the House of Rep25 resentatives, the Commission bill shall be agreed to 


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•HR 841 IH

1 upon a vote of a majority of the Members present 

2 and voting, a quorum being present. 

3 (c) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION IN SENATE.— 

4 (1) PLACEMENT ON CALENDAR.—Upon intro5 duction in the Senate, the Commission bill shall be 

6 placed immediately on the calendar. 

7 (2) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.— 

8 (A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding rule 

9 XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is 

10 in order, not later than 90 legislative days after 

11 the date the Commission bill is introduced in 

12 the Senate (even though a previous motion to 

13 the same effect has been disagreed to) to move 

14 to proceed to the consideration of the Commis15 sion bill. 

16 (B) PROCEDURE.—For a motion to pro17 ceed to the consideration of the Commission 

18 bill— 

19 (i) all points of order against the mo20 tion are waived; 

21 (ii) the motion is not debatable; 

22 (iii) the motion is not subject to a mo23 tion to postpone; 


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1 (iv) a motion to reconsider the vote by 

2 which the motion is agreed to or disagreed 

3 to shall not be in order; and 

4 (v) if the motion is agreed to, the 

5 Commission bill shall remain the unfin6 ished business until disposed of. 

7 (3) FLOOR CONSIDERATION.— 

8 (A) IN GENERAL.—If the Senate proceeds 

9 to consideration of the Commission bill— 

10 (i) all points of order against the 

11 Commission bill (and against consideration 

12 of the Commission bill) are waived; 

13 (ii) consideration of the Commission 

14 bill, and all debatable motions and appeals 

15 in connection therewith, shall be limited to 

16 not more than 30 hours, which shall be di17 vided equally between the majority and mi18 nority leaders or their designees; 

19 (iii) a motion further to limit debate 

20 is in order and not debatable; 

21 (iv) an amendment to, a motion to 

22 postpone, or a motion to commit the Com23 mission bill is not in order; and 

24 (v) a motion to proceed to the consid25 eration of other business is not in order. 


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1 (B) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—In the Senate— 

2 (i) the vote on passage shall occur im3 mediately following the conclusion of the 

4 consideration of the Commission bill, and a 

5 single quorum call at the conclusion of the 

6 debate if requested in accordance with the 

7 rules of the Senate; and 

8 (ii) the Commission bill shall be 

9 agreed to upon a vote of a majority of the 

10 Members present and voting, a quorum 

11 being present. 

12 (C) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCE13 DURE.—Appeals from the decisions of the Chair 

14 relating to the application of this subsection or 

15 the rules of the Senate, as the case may be, to 

16 the procedure relating to the Commission bill 

17 shall be decided without debate. 

18 (d) RULES RELATING TO SENATE AND HOUSE OF

19 REPRESENTATIVES.— 

20 (1) COORDINATION WITH ACTION BY OTHER

21 HOUSE.—If, before the passage by one House of the 

22 Commission bill of that House, that House receives 

23 from the other House the Commission bill— 

24 (A) the Commission bill of the other House 

25 shall not be referred to a committee; and 


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1 (B) with respect to the Commission bill of 

2 the House receiving the resolution— 

3 (i) the procedure in that House shall 

4 be the same as if no Commission bill had 

5 been received from the other House; and 

6 (ii) the vote on passage shall be on 

7 the Commission bill of the other House. 

8 (2) TREATMENT OF COMMISSION BILL OF

9 OTHER HOUSE.—If one House fails to introduce or 

10 consider the Commission bill under this section, the 

11 Commission bill of the other House shall be entitled 

12 to expedited floor procedures under this section. 

13 (3) TREATMENT OF COMPANION MEASURES.— 

14 If, following passage of the Commission bill in the 

15 Senate, the Senate receives the companion measure 

16 from the House of Representatives, the companion 

17 measure shall not be debatable. 

18 (4) VETOES.—If the President vetoes the Com19 mission bill, consideration of a veto message in the 

20 Senate under this section shall be not more than 10 

21 hours equally divided between the majority and mi22 nority leaders or their designees. 

23 (e) RULES OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND

24 SENATE.—This section is enacted by Congress— 


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1 (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of 

2 the Senate and House of Representatives, respec3 tively, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of 

4 each House, respectively, but applicable only with re5 spect to the procedure to be followed in that House 

6 in the case of the Commission bill, and supersede 

7 other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent 

8 with such rules; and 

9 (2) with full recognition of the constitutional 

10 right of either House to change the rules (so far as 

11 relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, 

12 in the same manner, and to the same extent as in 

13 the case of any other rule of that House. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS