105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 84
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
•HCON 84 EH
SECTION 1. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET
FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998.
The Congress declares that the concurrent resolution
on the budget for fiscal year 1998 is hereby established
and that the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years
1999 through 2002 are hereby set forth.
TITLE I—LEVELS AND AMOUNTS
SEC. 101. RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS.
The following budgetary levels are appropriate for the
fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002:
(1) FEDERAL REVENUES.—For purposes of the
enforcement of this resolution:
(A) The recommended levels of Federal
revenues are as follows:
Fiscal 
year 
1998:
$1,198,979,000,000.
Fiscal 
year 
1999:
$1,241,859,000,000.
Fiscal 
year 
2000:
$1,285,559,000,000.
Fiscal 
year 
2001:
$1,343,591,000,000.
Fiscal 
year 
2002:
$1,407,564,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(B) The amounts by which the aggregate
levels of Federal revenues should be changed
are as follows:
Fiscal year 1998: ¥$7,400,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999: ¥$11,083,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000: ¥$21,969,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: ¥$22,821,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: ¥$19,871,000,000.
(2) NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY.—For purposes
of the enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate
levels of total new budget authority are as follows:
Fiscal year 1998: $1,386,875,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999: $1,439,798,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000: $1,486,311,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $1,520,242,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $1,551,563,000,000.
(3) BUDGET OUTLAYS.—For purposes of the
enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate levels
of total budget outlays are as follows:
Fiscal year 1998: $1,371,848,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999: $1,424,002,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000: $1,468,748,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $1,500,854,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $1,516,024,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(4) DEFICITS.—For purposes of the enforce-
ment of this resolution, the amounts of the deficits
are as follows:
Fiscal year 1998: $172,869,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999: $182,143,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000: $183,189,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $157,263,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $108,460,000,000.
(5) PUBLIC DEBT.—The appropriate levels of
the public debt are as follows:
Fiscal year 1998: $5,593,500,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999: $5,836,000,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000: $6,082,400,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $6,301,100,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $6,473,200,000,000.
(6) DIRECT LOAN OBLIGATIONS.—The appro-
priate levels of total new direct loan obligations are
as follows:
Fiscal year 1998: $33,829,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999: $33,378,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000: $34,775,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $36,039,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $37,099,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(7) 
PRIMARY
LOAN
GUARANTEE
COMMIT-
MENTS.—The appropriate levels of new primary loan
guarantee commitments are as follows:
Fiscal year 1998: $315,472,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999: $324,749,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000: $328,124,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $332,063,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $335,141,000,000.
SEC. 102. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES.
The Congress determines and declares that the ap-
propriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays,
new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guaran-
tee commitments for fiscal years 1998 through 2002 for
each major functional category are:
(1) National Defense (050):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$268,197,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $265,978,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $588,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$270,784,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(B) Outlays, $265,771,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $757,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$274,802,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $268,418,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $1,050,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$281,305,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $270,110,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $1,050,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$289,092,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $272,571,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $1,050,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(2) International Affairs (150):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$15,909,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,558,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,966,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $12,751,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$14,918,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,569,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,021,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $13,093,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$15,782,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,981,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,077,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $13,434,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$16,114,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,751,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,122,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $13,826,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$16,353,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,812,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,178,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $14,217,000,000.
(3) General Science, Space, and Technology
(250):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$16,237,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,882,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
•HCON 84 EH
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$16,203,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,528,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$15,947,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,013,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$15,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,862,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$15,604,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,668,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(4) Energy (270):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$3,123,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,247,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,050,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$3,469,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,446,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,078,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$3,186,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,293,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,109,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$2,939,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,048,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,141,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$2,846,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $1,867,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,174,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(5) Natural Resources and Environment (300):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$23,877,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,405,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$30,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$23,227,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,702,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$32,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$22,570,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,963,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$32,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$22,151,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,720,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$34,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$22,086,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,313,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$34,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(6) Agriculture (350):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$13,133,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $11,892,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$9,620,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $6,365,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$12,790,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $11,294,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$11,047,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $6,436,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$12,215,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $10,664,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$11,071,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $6,509,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$10,978,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $9,494,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$10,960,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $6,583,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$10,670,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $9,108,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$10,965,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $6,660,000,000.
(7) Commerce and Housing Credit (370):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$6,607,000,000.
(B) Outlays, ¥$920,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$4,739,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $245,500,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$11,082,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $4,299,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,887,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $253,450,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$15,183,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $9,821,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,238,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $255,200,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$16,078,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $12,133,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,574,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $257,989,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$16,678,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $12,541,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,680,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $259,897,000,000.
(8) Transportation (400):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$46,402,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $40,933,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$155,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$46,556,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $41,256,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$135,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$47,114,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $41,357,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$15,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$48,135,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $41,303,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$15,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$49,184,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $41,247,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$15,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
(9) Community and Regional Development
(450):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$8,768,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $10,387,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,867,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $2,385,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$8,489,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(B) Outlays, $10,902,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$2,943,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $2,406,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$7,810,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $10,986,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$3,020,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $2,429,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$7,764,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $11,350,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$3,098,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $2,452,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$7,790,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $8,429,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$3,180,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $2,475,000,000.
(10) Education, Training, Employment, and
Social Services (500):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$60,020,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $56,062,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$12,328,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $20,665,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$60,450,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $59,335,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$13,092,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $21,899,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$61,703,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(B) Outlays, $60,728,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$13,926,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $23,263,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$62,959,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $61,931,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$14,701,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $24,517,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$63,339,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $62,316,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$15,426,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $25,676,000,000.
(11) Health (550):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$137,799,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(B) Outlays, $137,767,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $85,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$144,968,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $144,944,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$154,068,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $153,947,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$163,412,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $163,135,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
•HCON 84 EH
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$172,171,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $171,727,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(12) Medicare (570):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$210,620,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $201,764,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$212,073,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $211,548,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$225,540,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(B) Outlays, $225,537,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$239,636,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $238,781,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$251,548,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $250,769,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(13) Income Security (600):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$239,032,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $247,758,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$45,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $37,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$254,090,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $258,064,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$75,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $37,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$269,566,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $268,161,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$110,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $37,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$275,145,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $277,264,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$145,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $37,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$286,945,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $285,239,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$170,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $37,000,000.
(14) Social Security (650):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$11,424,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $11,524,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$12,060,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $12,196,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
•HCON 84 EH
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$12,792,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $12,866,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$13,022,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,043,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$14,383,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,398,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(15) Veterans Benefits and Services (700):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$40,545,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(B) Outlays, $41,337,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,029,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $27,096,000,000.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$41,466,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $41,700,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,068,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $26,671,000,000.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$41,740,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $41,908,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,177,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $26,202,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$42,093,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $42,215,000,000.
•HCON 84 EH
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,249,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $25,609,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$42,282,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $42,436,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations,
$1,277,000,000.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $25,129,000,000.
(16) Administration of Justice (750):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$24,765,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,609,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$25,120,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $24,476,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
•HCON 84 EH
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$24,178,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,240,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$24,354,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,901,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$24,883,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $24,879,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(17) General Government (800):
Fiscal year 1998:
•HCON 84 EH
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$14,711,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,959,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$14,444,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,363,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$13,977,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,727,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$13,675,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,131,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
•HCON 84 EH
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$13,105,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,100,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
(18) Net Interest (900):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$296,547,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $296,547,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$304,558,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $304,558,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
•HCON 84 EH
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$305,075,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $305,075,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$303,833,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $303,833,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
$303,728,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $303,728,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments, $0.
(19) Allowances (920):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) New budget authority, $0.
(B) Outlays, $0.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
•HCON 84 EH
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
(20) Undistributed Offsetting Receipts (950):
Fiscal year 1998:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
¥$41,841,000,000.
(B) Outlays, ¥$41,841,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 1999:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
¥$36,949,000,000.
(B) Outlays, ¥$36,949,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2000:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
¥$36,937,000,000.
(B) Outlays, ¥$36,937,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2001:
•HCON 84 EH
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
¥$39,151,000,000.
(B) Outlays, ¥$39,151,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
Fiscal year 2002:
(A) 
New 
budget 
authority,
¥$51,124,000,000.
(B) Outlays, ¥$51,124,000,000.
(C) New direct loan obligations, $0.
(D) New primary loan guarantee com-
mitments $0.
TITLE II—RECONCILIATION
INSTRUCTIONS
SEC. 201. RECONCILIATION.
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to pro-
vide for two separate reconciliation bills: the first for enti-
tlement reforms and the second for tax relief. In the event
Senate procedures preclude the consideration of two sepa-
rate bills, this section would permit the consideration of
one omnibus reconciliation bill.
(b) SUBMISSIONS.—
(1) ENTITLEMENT REFORMS.—Not later than
June 12, 1997, the House committees named in sub-
•HCON 84 EH
section (c) shall submit their recommendations to
the House Committee on the Budget. After receiving
those recommendations, the House Committee on
the Budget shall report to the House a reconciliation
bill carrying out all such recommendations without
any substantive revision.
(2) TAX
RELIEF
AND
MISCELLANEOUS
RE-
FORMS.—Not later than June 13, 1997, the House
committees named in subsection (d) shall submit
their recommendations to the House Committee on
the Budget. After receiving those recommendations,
the House Committee on the Budget shall report to
the House a reconciliation bill carrying out all such
recommendations without any substantive revision.
(c) INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO ENTITLEMENT RE-
FORMS.—
(1) COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE.—The House
Committee on Agriculture shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
that committee does not exceed: $34,571,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 1998, $37,008,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 2002, and $211,443,000,000
in outlays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
•HCON 84 EH
(2) COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND FINANCIAL
SERVICES.—The House Committee on Banking and
Financial Services shall report changes in laws with-
in its jurisdiction that provide direct spending such
that the total level of direct spending for that com-
mittee does not exceed: ¥$8,435,000,000 in outlays
for fiscal year 1998, ¥$5,091,000,000 in outlays
for fiscal year 2002, and ¥$50,306,000,000 in out-
lays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(3) COMMITTEE
ON
COMMERCE.—The House
Committee on Commerce shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
that committee does not exceed: $393,533,000,000
in outlays for fiscal year 1998, $506,791,000,000 in
outlays 
for 
fiscal 
year 
2002, 
and
$2,617,528,000,000 in outlays in fiscal years 1998
through 2002.
(4) COMMITTEE
ON
EDUCATION
AND
THE
WORKFORCE.—The House Committee on Education
and the Workforce shall report changes in laws with-
in its jurisdiction that provide direct spending such
that the total level of direct spending for that com-
mittee does not exceed: $17,222,000,000 in outlays
for fiscal year 1998, $17,673,000,000 in outlays for
•HCON 84 EH
fiscal year 2002, and $103,109,000,000 in outlays
in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(5) COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND
OVERSIGHT.—(A) The House Committee on Govern-
ment Reform and Oversight shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
that committee does not exceed: $68,975,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 1998, $81,896,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 2002, and $443,061,000,000
in outlays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(B) The House Committee on Government Re-
form and Oversight shall report changes in laws
within its jurisdiction that would reduce the deficit
by: $0 in fiscal year 1998, $621,000,000 in fiscal
year 2002, and $1,829,000,000 in fiscal years 1998
through 2002.
(6) COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND IN-
FRASTRUCTURE.—The House Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
that committee does not exceed: $18,087,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 1998, $17,283,000,000 in
•HCON 84 EH
outlays for fiscal year 2002, and $106,615,000,000
in outlays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(7) COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS.—The
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs shall report
changes in laws within its jurisdiction that provide
direct spending such that the total level of direct
spending for that committee does not exceed:
$22,444,000,000 in outlays for fiscal year 1998,
$24,563,000,000 in outlays for fiscal year 2002, and
$139,134,000,000 in outlays in fiscal years 1998
through 2002.
(8) COMMITTEE
ON
WAYS
AND
MEANS.—(A)
The House Committee on Ways and Means shall re-
port changes in laws within its jurisdiction such that
the total level of direct spending for that committee
does not exceed: $397,546,000,000 in outlays for
fiscal year 1998, $506,442,000,000 in outlays for
fiscal year 2002, and $2,621,578,000,000 in outlays
in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(B) The House Committee on Ways and Means
shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction
such that the total level of revenues for that commit-
tee is not less than: $1,176,253,000,000 in revenues
for fiscal year 1998, $1,386,546,000,000 in revenues
•HCON 84 EH
for fiscal year 2002, and $7,517,939,000,000 in rev-
enues in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(d) INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO TAX RELIEF AND
MISCELLANEOUS REFORMS.—
(1) COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE.—The House
Committee on Agriculture shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
that committee does not exceed: $34,571,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 1998, $37,008,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 2002, and $211,443,000,000
in outlays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(2) COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND FINANCIAL
SERVICES.—The House Committee on Banking and
Financial Services shall report changes in laws with-
in its jurisdiction that provide direct spending such
that the total level of direct spending for that com-
mittee does not exceed: ¥$8,435,000,000 in outlays
for fiscal year 1998, ¥$5,091,000,000 in outlays
for fiscal year 2002, and ¥$50,306,000,000 in out-
lays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(3) COMMITTEE
ON
COMMERCE.—The House
Committee on Commerce shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
•HCON 84 EH
that committee does not exceed: $393,533,000,000
in outlays for fiscal year 1998, $506,791,000,000 in
outlays 
for 
fiscal 
year 
2002, 
and
$2,617,528,000,000 in outlays in fiscal years 1998
through 2002.
(4) COMMITTEE
ON
EDUCATION
AND
THE
WORKFORCE.—The House Committee on Education
and the Workforce shall report changes in laws with-
in its jurisdiction that provide direct spending such
that the total level of direct spending for that com-
mittee does not exceed: $17,222,000,000 in outlays
for fiscal year 1998, $17,673,000,000 in outlays for
fiscal year 2002, and $103,109,000,000 in outlays
in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(5) COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND
OVERSIGHT.—(A) The House Committee on Govern-
ment Reform and Oversight shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
that committee does not exceed: $68,975,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 1998, $81,896,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 2002, and $443,061,000,000
in outlays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(B) The House Committee on Government Re-
form and Oversight shall report changes in laws
•HCON 84 EH
within its jurisdiction that would reduce the deficit
by: $0 in fiscal year 1998, $621,000,000 in outlays
for fiscal year 2002, and $1,829,000,000 in fiscal
years 1998 through 2002.
(6) COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND IN-
FRASTRUCTURE.—The House Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure shall report changes in
laws within its jurisdiction that provide direct spend-
ing such that the total level of direct spending for
that committee does not exceed: $18,087,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 1998, $17,283,000,000 in
outlays for fiscal year 2002, and $106,615,000,000
in outlays in fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(7) COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS.—The
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs shall report
changes in laws within its jurisdiction that provide
direct spending such that the total level of direct
spending for that committee does not exceed:
$22,444,000,000 in outlays for fiscal year 1998,
$24,563,000,000 in outlays for fiscal year 2002, and
$139,134,000,000 in outlays in fiscal years 1998
through 2002.
(8) COMMITTEE
ON
WAYS
AND
MEANS.—(A)
The House Committee on Ways and Means shall re-
port changes in laws within its jurisdiction such that
•HCON 84 EH
ation instructions pursuant to section 310(d) of the Con-
gressional Budget Act of 1974.
TITLE III—BUDGET
ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 301. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR SURFACE
TRANSPORTATION.
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to ad-
just the appropriate budgetary levels to accommodate leg-
islation increasing spending from the highway trust fund
on surface transportation and highway safety above the
levels assumed in this resolution if such legislation is defi-
cit neutral.
(b) DEFICIT NEUTRALITY REQUIREMENT.—(1) In
order to receive the adjustments specified in subsection
(c), a bill reported by the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure that provides new budget authority
above the levels assumed in this resolution for programs
authorized out of the highway trust fund must be deficit
neutral.
(2) A deficit-neutral bill must meet the following con-
ditions:
(A) The amount of new budget authority pro-
vided for programs authorized out of the highway
trust fund must be in excess of $25.949 billion in
new budget authority for fiscal year 1998, $25.464
•HCON 84 EH
billion in new budget authority for fiscal year 2002,
and $127.973 billion in new budget authority for the
period of fiscal years 1998 through 2002.
(B) The outlays estimated to flow from the ex-
cess new budget authority set forth in subparagraph
(A) must be offset for fiscal year 1998, fiscal year
2002, and for the period of fiscal years 1998
through 2002. For the sole purpose of estimating
the amount of outlays flowing from excess new
budget authority under this section, it shall be as-
sumed that such excess new budget authority would
have an obligation limitation sufficient to accommo-
date that new budget authority.
(C) The outlays estimated to flow from the ex-
cess new budget authority must be offset by (i)
other direct spending or revenue provisions within
that transportation bill, (ii) the net reduction in
other direct spending and revenue legislation that is
enacted during this Congress after the date of adop-
tion of this resolution and before such transportation
bill is reported (in excess of the levels assumed in
this resolution), or (iii) a combination of the offsets
specified in clauses (i) and (ii).
(D) As used in this section, the term ‘‘direct
spending’’ has the meaning given to such term in
•HCON 84 EH
section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced Budget and Emer-
gency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(c) REVISED LEVELS.—(1) When the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure reports a bill (or when
a conference report thereon is filed) meeting the condi-
tions set forth in subsection (b)(2), the chairman of the
Committee on the Budget shall increase the allocation of
new budget authority to that committee by the amount
of new budget authority provided in that bill (and that
is above the levels set forth in subsection (b)(2)(A)) for
programs authorized out of the highway trust fund.
(2) After the enactment of the transportation bill de-
scribed in paragraph (1) and upon the reporting of a gen-
eral, supplemental or continuing resolution making appro-
priations by the Committee on Appropriations (or upon
the filing of a conference report thereon) establishing an
obligation limitation above the levels specified in sub-
section (b)(2)(A) (at a level sufficient to obligate some or
all of the budget authority specified in paragraph (1)), the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget shall increase
the allocation and aggregate levels of outlays to that com-
mittee for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 by the appropriate
amount.
(d) REVISIONS.—Allocations and aggregates revised
pursuant to this section shall be considered for purposes
•HCON 84 EH
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as allocations
and aggregates contained in this resolution.
(e) REVERSALS.—If any legislation referred to in this
section is not enacted into law, then the chairman of the
House Committee on the Budget shall, as soon as prac-
ticable, reverse adjustments made under this section for
such legislation and have such adjustments published in
the Congressional Record.
(f) DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY LEVELS.—For
the purposes of this section, budgetary levels shall be de-
termined on the basis of estimates made by the House
Committee on the Budget.
(g) DEFINITION.—As used in this section, the term
‘‘highway trust fund’’ refers to the following budget ac-
counts (or any successor accounts):
(1) 69–8083–0–7–401 (Federal-Aid Highways).
(2) 69–8191–0–7–401 (Mass Transit Capital
Fund).
(3) 69–8350–0–7–401 (Mass Transit Formula
Grants).
(4) 69–8016–0–7–401 (National Highway Traf-
fic Safety Administration-Operations and Research).
(5) 69–8020–0–7–401 (Highway Traffic Safety
Grants).
•HCON 84 EH
(6) 69–8048–0–7–401 (National Motor Carrier
Safety Program).
SEC. 302. SALE OF GOVERNMENT ASSETS.
(a) BUDGETARY TREATMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—For the purpose of any con-
current resolution on the budget and the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, no amounts realized
from the sale of an asset shall be scored with respect
to the level of budget authority, outlays, or revenues
if such sale would cause an increase in the deficit as
calculated pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) CALCULATION OF NET PRESENT VALUE.—
The deficit estimate of an asset sale shall be the net
present value of the cash flow from—
(A) proceeds from the asset sale;
(B) future receipts that would be expected
from continued ownership of the asset by the
Government; and
(C) expected future spending by the Gov-
ernment at a level necessary to continue to op-
erate and maintain the asset to generate the re-
ceipts estimated pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(b) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the
term ‘‘sale of an asset’’ shall have the same meaning as
•HCON 84 EH
under section 250(c)(21) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(c) TREATMENT OF LOAN ASSETS.—For the pur-
poses of this section, the sale of loan assets or the prepay-
ment of a loan shall be governed by the terms of the Fed-
eral Credit Reform Act of 1990.
(d) DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY LEVELS.—For
the purposes of this section, budgetary levels shall be de-
termined on the basis of estimates made by the House
Committee on the Budget.
SEC. 303. ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVE FUND.
(a) COMMITTEE ALLOCATIONS.—In the House, after
the Committee on Commerce and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure report a bill (or a con-
ference report thereon is filed) to reform the Superfund
program to facilitate the cleanup of hazardous waste sites,
the chairman of the Committee on the Budget shall sub-
mit revised allocations and budget aggregates to carry out
this section by an amount not to exceed the excess subject
to the limitation. These revisions shall be considered for
purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as the
allocations and aggregates contained in this resolution.
(b) LIMITATIONS.—The adjustments made under this
section shall not exceed:
•HCON 84 EH
(1) $200 million in budget authority for fiscal
year 1998 and the estimated outlays flowing there-
from.
(2) $200 million in budget authority for fiscal
year 2002 and the estimated outlays flowing there-
from.
(3) $1 billion in budget authority for the period
of fiscal years 1998 through 2002 and the estimated
outlays flowing therefrom.
(c) READJUSTMENTS.—In the House, any adjust-
ments made under this section for any appropriation
measure may be readjusted if that measure is not enacted
into law.
SEC. 304. SEPARATE ALLOCATION FOR LAND ACQUISI-
TIONS AND EXCHANGES.
(a) ALLOCATION BY CHAIRMAN.—In the House, upon
the reporting of a bill by the Committee on Appropriations
(or upon the filing of a conference report thereon) provid-
ing $700 million in budget authority for fiscal year 1998
for Federal land acquisitions and to finalize priority Fed-
eral land exchanges, the chairman of the Committee on
the Budget shall allocate that amount of budget authority
and the corresponding amount of outlays.
(b) TREATMENT OF ALLOCATIONS IN THE HOUSE.—
In the House, for purposes of the Congressional Budget
•HCON 84 EH
Act of 1974, allocations made under subsection (a) shall
be deemed to be made pursuant to section 602(a)(1) of
that Act and shall be deemed to be a separate suballoca-
tion for purposes of the application of section 302(f) of
that Act as modified by section 602(c) of that Act.
TITLE IV—SENSE OF CONGRESS
PROVISIONS
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON BASELINES.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that:
(1) Baselines are projections of future spending
if existing policies remain unchanged.
(2) Under baseline assumptions, spending auto-
matically rises with inflation even if such increases
are not mandated under existing law.
(3) Baseline budgeting is inherently biased
against policies that would reduce the projected
growth in spending because such policies are por-
trayed as spending reductions from an increasing
baseline.
(4) The baseline concept has encouraged Con-
gress to abdicate its constitutional obligation to con-
trol the public purse for those programs which are
automatically funded.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that baseline budgeting should be replaced with a
•HCON 84 EH
budgetary model that requires justification of aggregate
funding levels and maximizes congressional and executive
accountability for Federal spending.
SEC. 402. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON REPAYMENT OF THE
FEDERAL DEBT.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that:
(1) The Congress and the President have a
basic moral and ethical responsibility to future gen-
erations to repay the Federal debt, including the
money borrowed from the Social Security Trust
Fund.
(2) The Congress and the President should
enact a law which creates a regimen for paying off
the Federal debt within 30 years.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING PRESIDENT’S
SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress
that:
(1) The President’s annual budget submission
to Congress should include a plan for repayment of
Federal debt beyond the year 2002, including the
money borrowed from the Social Security Trust
Fund.
(2) The plan should specifically explain how the
President would cap spending growth at a level one
•HCON 84 EH
percentage point lower than projected growth in rev-
enues.
(3) If spending growth were held to a level one
percentage point lower than projected growth in rev-
enues, then the Federal debt could be repaid within
30 years.
SEC. 403. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COMMISSION ON LONG-
TERM BUDGETARY PROBLEMS.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) achieving a balanced budget by fiscal year
2002 is only the first step necessary to restore our
Nation’s economic prosperity;
(2) the imminent retirement of the baby-boom
generation will greatly increase the demand for gov-
ernment services;
(3) this burden will be borne by a relatively
smaller work force resulting in an unprecedented
intergenerational transfer of financial resources;
(4) the rising demand for retirement and medi-
cal benefits will quickly jeopardize the solvency of
the medicare, social security, and Federal retirement
trust funds; and
(5) the Congressional Budget Office has esti-
mated that marginal tax rates would have to in-
crease by 50 percent over the next 5 years to cover
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the long-term projected costs of retirement and
health benefits.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that legislation should be enacted to create a com-
mission to assess long-term budgetary problems, their im-
plications for both the baby-boom generation and tomor-
row’s workforce, and make such recommendations as it
deems appropriate to ensure our Nation’s future prosper-
ity.
SEC. 404. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CORPORATE WELFARE.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that the func-
tional levels and aggregates in this budget resolution as-
sume that—
(1) the Federal Government supports profit-
making enterprises and industries through billions of
dollars in payments, benefits, and programs;
(2) many of these subsidies do not serve a clear
and compelling public interest;
(3) corporate subsidies frequently provide un-
fair competitive advantages to certain industries and
industry segments; and
(4) at a time when millions of Americans are
being asked to sacrifice in order to balance the
budget, the corporate sector should bear its share of
the burden.
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(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that legislation should be enacted to—
(1) eliminate the most egregious corporate sub-
sidies; and
(2) create a commission to recommend the
elimination of Federal payments, benefits, and pro-
grams which predominantly benefit a particular in-
dustry or segment of an industry, rather than pro-
vide a clear and compelling public benefit, and in-
clude a fast-track process for the consideration of
those recommendations.
SEC. 405. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FAMILY VIOLENCE OP-
TION CLARIFYING AMENDMENT.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that:
(1) Domestic violence is the leading cause of
physical injury to women. The Department of Jus-
tice estimates that over 1,000,000 violent crimes
against women are committed by intimate partners
annually.
(2) Domestic violence dramatically affects the
victim’s ability to participate in the workforce. A
University of Minnesota survey reported that one
quarter of battered women surveyed had lost a job
partly because of being abused and that over half of
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these women had been harassed by their abuser at
work.
(3) Domestic violence is often intensified as
women seek to gain economic independence through
attending school or training programs. Batterers
have been reported to prevent women from attending
these programs or sabotage their efforts at self-im-
provement.
(4) Nationwide surveys of service providers pre-
pared by the Taylor Institute of Chicago, Illinois,
document, for the first time, the interrelationship
between domestic violence and welfare by showing
that from 34 percent to 65 percent of AFDC recipi-
ents are current or past victims of domestic violence.
(5) Over half of the women surveyed stayed
with their batterers because they lacked the re-
sources to support themselves and their children.
The surveys also found that the availability of eco-
nomic support is a critical factor in poor women’s
ability to leave abusive situations that threaten them
and their children.
(6) The restructuring of the welfare programs
may impact the availability of the economic support
and the safety net necessary to enable poor women
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to flee abuse without risking homelessness and star-
vation for their families.
(7) In recognition of this finding, the House
Committee on the Budget unanimously passed a
sense of Congress amendment on domestic violence
and Federal assistance to the fiscal year 1997 budg-
et resolution. Subsequently, Congress passed the
family violence option amendment to last year’s wel-
fare reform reconciliation bill.
(8) The family violence option gives States the
flexibility to grant temporary waivers from time lim-
its and work requirements for domestic violence vic-
tims who would suffer extreme hardship from the
application of these provisions. These waivers were
not intended to be included as part of the permanent
20 percent hardship exemption.
(9) The Department of Health and Human
Services has been slow to issue regulations regarding
this provision. As a result, States are hesitant to
fully implement the family violence option fearing it
will interfere with the 20 percent hardship exemp-
tion.
(10) Currently 15 States have opted to include
the family violence option in their welfare plans, and
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13 other States have included some type of domestic
violence provisions in their plans.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that—
(1) States should not be subject to any numeri-
cal limits in granting domestic violence good cause
waivers to individuals receiving assistance for all re-
quirements where compliance with such require-
ments would make it more difficult for individuals
receiving assistance to escape domestic violence; and
(2) any individuals granted a domestic violence
good cause waiver by States should not be included
in the States’ 20 percent hardship exemption.
Passed the House of Representatives May 21 (legis-
lative day, May 20), 1997.
Attest:
Clerk.