I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3493 
To establish a commission to study employment and economic insecurity 
in the United States workforce. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 18, 2011 
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To establish a commission to study employment and 
economic insecurity in the United States workforce. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Commission 
on Employment and Economic Security Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Americans’ commitment to economic par-
ticipation has been a defining feature of the cultural 
fabric of the United States, helping individuals feel 
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positive about themselves, develop independence, and 
maintain hope for the future. 
(2) As Americans lose their jobs and their in-
comes shrink, too often, they also face the loss of 
their family’s health insurance and, subsequent to 
the loss of income, even their housing. 
(3) Since the recession began in December 
2007, more than 9 million jobs have been lost. Ac-
cording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by Sep-
tember 2011, the unemployment rate had climbed to 
9.1 percent. The scope of the economic downturn is 
so large that its impact is felt almost everywhere 
along the economic spectrum. 
(4) As of September 2011, the number of un-
employed persons had reached 14 million, and the 
unemployment rate has hovered between 9.0 and 9.2 
percent since April 2011, according to the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics. 
(5) The number of long-term unemployed work-
ers (i.e., those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was 6.2 
million in September 2011 and has increased by al-
most 26 percent since the start of the recession in 
2007. 
(6) According to an American Psychological As-
sociation September 2010 report, money (76 per-
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cent), work (70 percent) and the economy (65 per-
cent) remain the most frequently cited sources of 
stress for Americans. 
(7) The loss of a job and the subsequent loss 
of income, insurance, and other benefits from that 
job have been proven to not only lead to increased 
stress but also be substantial triggers for mental 
health disorders including depression and anxiety. 
(8) Calls to the National Suicide Prevention 
Lifeline increased by more than 72 percent from 
2007 to 2010. 
(9) One-third of people going through fore-
closure are clinically depressed. 
(10) According to a 2010 American Psycho-
logical Association report, job stability is on the rise 
as a source of stress; nearly half (49 percent) of 
adults reported that job stability was a source of 
stress in 2010 (compared to 44 percent in 2009). At 
the same time, fewer Americans are satisfied with 
the ways their employer helps them balance work 
and non-work demands (36 percent compared to 42 
percent in 2009). 
(11) Research shows that time flexible work 
policies are associated with less stress, fewer ab-
sences from work, and more employer loyalty. 
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SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
‘‘National Commission on Employment and Economic Se-
curity’’. 
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 
The Commission shall— 
(1) examine the issues of economic and psycho-
logical insecurity of members of the United States 
workforce caused by employment displacement; 
(2) gather data on the relationship between (A) 
psychological stress caused by employment insecurity 
and economic insecurity, (B) the increase in mental 
health disorders including clinical depression and 
anxiety in the United States, and (C) increased vio-
lence by employees and former employees in the 
workplace and in their private lives; 
(3) analyze the psychological impact of in-
creased workplace responsibilities and stress on cur-
rent workers due to downsizing, and the role of 
workplace flexibility policies in alleviating stress on 
these remaining workers; 
(4) examine the economic and psychological ef-
fects of the decreasing number of well-paid jobs on 
members of the United States workforce and their 
families; 
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(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(h) QUORUM.—8 members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hear-
ings. 
(i) CHAIRPERSON.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission shall be elected by the members not 
later than 30 days after the date on which all of the 
original members of the Commission have been ap-
pointed. 
(2) 
PRESIDENTIAL
APPOINTMENT.—If 
the 
members of the Commission are unable to elect the 
Chairperson in accordance with paragraph (1), the 
President shall appoint a member of the Commission 
to be the Chairperson. 
(j) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairperson. 
SEC. 6. STAFF OF COMMISSION. 
(a) STAFF.—The Chairperson may appoint and fix 
the pay of the personnel of the Commission as the Chair-
person considers appropriate. 
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(b) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.—The staff of the Commission shall be appointed 
subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
governing appointments in the competitive service, and 
shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating 
to classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(c) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request 
of the Chairperson, the head of any Federal department 
or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the 
personnel of that department or agency to the Commission 
to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. 
SEC. 7. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and 
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. 
The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to 
witnesses appearing before it. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
Commission, take any action which the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 
may secure directly from any Federal department or agen-
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cy information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. 
Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the 
head of that department or agency shall provide that in-
formation to the Commission. 
(d) MAIL.—The Commission may use the United 
States mail in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other Federal departments and agencies. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. 
(f) IMMUNITY.—The Commission is an agency of the 
United States for purpose of part V of title 18, United 
States Code (relating to immunity of witnesses). 
(g) SUBPOENA POWER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may issue 
a subpoena to require the attendance and testimony 
of witnesses and the production of evidence relating 
to any matter described in paragraphs (1) through 
(3) of section 4. 
(2) FAILURE
TO
OBEY
AN
ORDER
OR
SUB-
POENA.—If a person refuses to obey a subpoena 
issued under paragraph (1), the Commission may 
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apply to a United States district court for an order 
requiring that person to appear before the Commis-
sion to give testimony, produce evidence, or both, re-
lating to the matter under investigation. The appli-
cation may be made within the judicial district 
where the hearing is conducted or where that person 
is found, resides, or transacts business. Any failure 
to obey the order of the court may be punished by 
the court as civil contempt. 
(3) SERVICE OF SUBPOENAS.—The subpoenas 
of the Commission shall be served in the manner 
provided for subpoenas issued by a United States 
district court under the Federal Rules of Civil Pro-
cedure for the United States district courts. 
(h) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission may 
contract with and compensate government and private 
agencies or persons for supplies or services, without regard 
to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5). 
SEC. 8. REPORT OF COMMISSION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date on which all 
original members have been appointed to the Commission, 
the Commission shall transmit to the President and Con-
gress a report that contains a detailed statement of the 
findings and recommendations of the Commission made 
pursuant to section 4. 
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SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. 
(a) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
60 days after the date of submission of the report pursu-
ant to section 8. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES BEFORE TERMI-
NATION.—The Commission may use the 60-day period re-
ferred to in paragraph (a) for the purpose of concluding 
its activities, including providing testimony to committees 
of Congress concerning its reports and disseminating the 
second report. 
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 for use in the de-
velopment and implementation of plans under this Act. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts authorized to be appro-
priated by subsection (a) are authorized to remain avail-
able until expended. 
Æ 
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