IA
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. J. RES. 112
Establishing the Joint Committee on Social Security Reform.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 26, 1998
Mr. KOLBE (for himself, Mr. STENHOLM, Mr. KLECZKA, Mr. MINGE, Mr.
CRAMER, Mr. BOYD, Mr. TANNER, Mr. POMEROY, Mr. JOHN, Mr.
DOOLEY of California, Mr. MEEHAN, Ms. RIVERS, Ms. DANNER, Mr.
CONDIT, Mr. BERRY, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mr. SANDLIN, Mr.
SAWYER, Mr. PORTER, Mr. GIBBONS, Mr. SANFORD, Mr. CASTLE, Mr.
SHAYS, Mr. CAMPBELL, and Mr. GREENWOOD) introduced the following
joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules
JOINT RESOLUTION
Establishing the Joint Committee on Social Security Reform.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is hereby established in the legislative branch
the Joint Committee on Social Security Reform (hereafter
in this joint resolution referred to as the ‘‘Joint Commit-
tee’’).
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SEC. 2. DUTIES.
(a) STUDY OF RETIREMENT FINANCING.—The Joint
Committee shall conduct a thorough study of retirement
financing issues, concentrating primarily on the problems
related to the long-term financing of the old-age, sur-
vivors, and disability insurance program under title II of
the Social Security Act, with a goal of restoring the long-
term solvency of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insur-
ance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance
Trust Fund and improving financial security for retirees.
(b) REPORTS.—
(1) INTERIM.—The Joint Committee shall sub-
mit an interim report to Congress on its activities
and findings at any time prior to December 31,
1998, that the Joint Committee considers appro-
priate.
(2) FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—
The Joint Committee shall submit a final report to
Congress on its activities and findings not later than
March 31, 1999, and shall include in the report such
recommendations for changes to the programs de-
scribed in subsection (a), including legislative lan-
guage to carry out such changes, as the Joint Com-
mittee considers appropriate, except that the Joint
Committee may not include a recommendation in the
report unless the recommendation is approved by a
•HJ 112 IH
majority of the Senators and a majority of the mem-
bers of the House who serve on the Joint Commit-
tee.
(c) CONSIDERATION OF WORK OF ADVISORY COM-
MISSION ON SOCIAL SECURITY.—In carrying out its duties
under this section, the Joint Committee shall take into
consideration the findings and recommendations of the
1994–1996 Advisory Council on Social Security and the
Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement and Tax Reform.
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Joint Committee shall consist
of 32 members appointed in accordance with this section.
(b) SENATORS.—16 members of the Joint Committee
shall be Senators, who shall be appointed as follows:
(1) The Majority Leader shall appoint a co-
chair of the Joint Committee and 7 other members,
of whom—
(A) at least 2 shall be members of the
Committee on Finance;
(B) at least 1 shall be a member of the
Committee on the Budget; and
(C) at least 1 shall be a member of the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
•HJ 112 IH
(2) The Minority Leader shall appoint a co-vice
chair of the Joint Committee and 7 other members,
of whom—
(A) at least 2 shall be members of the
Committee on Finance;
(B) at least 1 shall be a member of the
Committee on the Budget; and
(C) at least 1 shall be a member of the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
(c) MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.—16 members of the
Joint Committee shall be members of the House of Rep-
resentatives (who may include a Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to the Congress), who shall be appointed
as follows:
(1) The Speaker shall appoint a co-chair of the
Joint Committee and 7 other members, of whom—
(A) at least 2 shall be members of the
Committee on Ways and Means;
(B) at least 1 shall be a member of the
Committee on the Budget;
(C) at least 1 shall be a member of the
Committee on Commerce; and
(D) at least 1 shall be a member of the
Committee on Banking and Financial Services.