I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1469 
To establish the Benefit Reform and Alignment Commission to consolidate 
and realign means-tested direct spending program outlays. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 9, 2017 
Mr. DAVIDSON (for himself, Mr. POLIQUIN, and Mr. JORDAN) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 
and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Ag-
riculture, 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 consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Benefit Reform and Alignment Commission 
to consolidate and realign means-tested direct spending 
program outlays. 
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 ‘‘Welfare Benefit Re-
form and Alignment Commission (BRAC) Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to structure means-tested 
welfare programs such that— 
(1) the receipt of means-tested welfare program 
aid by a beneficiary is temporary, that over time 
there is a reduction in the number of such programs 
in which an individual beneficiary or household is 
participating, and that over time the total number of 
recipients receiving such aid is reduced; and 
(2) means-tested welfare programs increase em-
ployment, encourage healthy marriages and further 
educational attainment so that households maintain 
an income above the poverty level without services 
and benefits from the Federal Government. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF MEANS-TESTED WELFARE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) MEANS-TESTED WELFARE PROGRAM.—In this 
Act, the term ‘‘means-tested welfare program’’— 
(1) means any Federal program that is de-
signed to specifically provide assistance or benefits 
exclusively to low-income Americans; 
(2) does not include such a program if the pro-
gram— 
(A) is based on earned eligibility; 
(B) is not need-based; 
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(C) provides to an individual benefits 
under title 38, United States Code, or other 
provisions of law administered by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs; or 
(D) offers universal or near universal eligi-
bility to the working population and their de-
pendents; and 
(3) includes community and economic develop-
ment programs targeted to low-income communities 
or populations. 
(b) PROGRAMS INCLUDED.—For purposes of sub-
section (a), the following Federal programs shall be con-
sidered means-tested welfare programs: 
(1) CASH AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(A) The Supplemental Security Income 
program under title XVI of the Social Security 
Act. 
(B) The earned income tax credit deter-
mined under section 32 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986. 
(C) The refundable portion of the child tax 
credit determined under section 24 of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986. 
(D) The program of block grants to States 
for temporary assistance for needy families 
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of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013). 
(5) ENERGY AND UTILITIES.— 
(A) Low-income home energy assistance 
under the Low-Income Home Energy Assist-
ance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.). 
(B) The Lifeline Assistance Program of 
the Federal Communications Commission and 
the Tribal Link Up assistance program defined 
in section 54.413 of title 47, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(C) Weatherization assistance for low-in-
come persons under part A of title IV of the 
Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 
U.S.C. 6861 et seq.). 
(6) EDUCATION.— 
(A) Federal Pell Grants under subpart 1 
of part IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.). 
(B) Grants for improving basic programs 
operated by local educational agencies under 
part A of title I of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 
et seq.). 
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(C) Federal TRIO programs under chapter 
1 of subpart 2 of title IV of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et 
seq.). 
(D) Federal supplemental educational op-
portunity grants under subpart 3 of part A of 
title IV the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1070b et seq.). 
(E) Programs for the education of migra-
tory children under part C of title 1 of the Ele-
mentary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6391 et seq.). 
(F) Gaining early awareness and readiness 
for undergraduate programs under chapter 2 of 
subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–21 et 
seq.). 
(G) The education for homeless children 
and youth program under subtitle B of title VII 
of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). 
(H) The leveraging educational assistance 
partnership program of subpart 4 of part A of 
title IV the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1070c et seq.). 
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(7) TRAINING.— 
(A) Job Corps under subtitle C of title I 
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.). 
(B) Adult employment and training activi-
ties under title I of the Workforce Innovation 
and Opportunity Act (20 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.). 
(C) Senior community service employment 
programs under title V of the Older Americans 
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.). 
(D) Employment and training programs 
under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). 
(E) Migrant and seasonal farmworker pro-
grams under section 167 of the Workforce In-
novation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
3222). 
(F) The YouthBuild Program under sec-
tion 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Op-
portunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3226). 
(G) Native American Programs under sec-
tion 166 of the Workforce Innovation and Op-
portunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221). 
(8) SERVICES.— 
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(A) The Social Services Block Grant pro-
gram under title XX of the Social Security Act. 
(B) Programs under the Community Serv-
ices Block Grant Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9901 
et seq.). 
(C) Services for aliens admitted to the 
United States as refugees or granted asylum in 
the United States, and other special populations 
of aliens. 
(D) State and community programs on 
aging that receive Federal funds. 
(E) Legal Services Corporation. 
(F) Family planning services under title X 
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
300 et seq.). 
(G) The Emergency Food and Shelter Pro-
gram for homeless persons under title III of the 
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 11331 et seq.). 
(H) The AmeriCorps VISTA program 
under subtitle C of title I of the National and 
Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12571 et seq.). 
(9) CHILD CARE AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT.— 
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(A) Head Start programs and Early Head 
Start programs under the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9831 et seq.). 
(B) Programs under the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 9858 et seq.). 
(10) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.— 
(A) The Community Development Block 
Grant Program under title I of the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 
U.S.C. 5301 et seq.). 
(B) Programs administered by the Eco-
nomic Development Administration under the 
Public Works and Economic Development Act 
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.). 
(C) Programs administered by the Appa-
lachian Regional Commission under subtitle IV 
of title 40, United States Code. 
(D) Empowerment zones and enterprise 
communities under subchapter U, and renewal 
communities under subchapter X, of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986. 
(c) PROGRAMS EXCLUDED.—For purposes of sub-
section (a), the following Federal programs shall not be 
considered means-tested welfare programs: 
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(1) The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability In-
surance Benefit program under title II of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.). 
(2) The Medicare program under title XVIII of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). 
(3) A program designed exclusively or primarily 
to provide to an individual benefits under title 38, 
United States Code, or other provisions of law ad-
ministered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(4) A program that provides for the receipt of 
‘‘regular compensation’’, ‘‘extended compensation’’, 
or ‘‘additional compensation’’ (as such terms are de-
fined by section 205 of the Federal-State Extended 
Unemployment Compensation Act (26 U.S.C. 3304 
note)). 
(5) The program that provides for trade adjust-
ment assistance under title II of the Trade Act of 
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.). 
(6) Programs designed specifically to provide 
benefits to workers to compensate for job-related in-
juries or illnesses. 
(d) SPECIAL RULES.— 
(1)(A) For purposes of subsection (a), only the 
refundable portion of the following tax credits shall 
be considered means-tested welfare programs: 
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(i) The earned income tax credit under sec-
tion 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
(ii) The child tax credit under section 
24(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
(B) For purposes of subsection (a), only the re-
fundable portion of the premium and out-of-pocket 
health care subsidies to be paid under the Patient 
Protection and Affordable Health Care Act shall be 
considered a means-tested welfare program. 
(C) For purposes of this subparagraph, the 
term ‘‘refundable portion’’ means the portion of the 
credit which is paid to an individual in excess of the 
amount of Federal income tax owed by the indi-
vidual. 
(2) For purposes of subsection (a), only the 
costs of the free and reduced price segments of the 
school lunch and school breakfast programs shall be 
considered means-tested welfare programs. 
(e) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL EX-
PENDITURES.—For purposes of subsection (a), expendi-
tures by State and local governments of funds that are— 
(1) obtained by the State and local government 
from taxes, fees, or other sources of revenue estab-
lished by the State or local government; and 
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(2) not received as any form of grant from the 
Federal Government, 
shall not be considered means-tested welfare programs, 
without regard to whether the State and local expenditures 
take the form of contributions to a Federal program de-
scribed in subsection (a) or listed in subsection (b). 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF BENEFIT REFORM AND ALIGN-
MENT COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
legislative branch a commission to be known as the ‘‘Ben-
efit Reform and Alignment Commission’’ (hereafter re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission— 
(A) shall review all means-tested welfare 
programs within the Federal Government to— 
(i) identify changes in law (which may 
include ways to streamline functions and 
increase efficiency within agencies or pro-
grams) that will achieve the purposes set 
forth in section 2; 
(ii) evaluate whether each means-test-
ed welfare program could be consolidated 
with another means-tested welfare pro-
gram, or a program subject to the avail-
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ability of discretionary appropriations with 
similar goals, and make recommendations 
for consolidating the programs that are 
identified; 
(iii) evaluate the potential benefits of 
eliminating any means-tested welfare pro-
gram that does not have proven beneficial 
outcomes that assist in achieving purposes 
set forth in section 2 and make rec-
ommendations 
regarding 
eliminating 
means-tested welfare programs that are 
identified; 
(iv) identify opportunities and make 
recommendations regarding ways for the 
Federal Government to reduce the cost or 
increase the efficiency of means-tested wel-
fare program by contracting with private 
entities, or delegating authority to States, 
to perform activities relating to the pro-
gram; 
(v) identify means-tested welfare pro-
grams and entitlement authorities that 
should be modified to be carried out sub-
ject to the availability of discretionary ap-
propriations; and 
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(vi) identify other ways to achieve the 
purposes set forth in section 2 as deter-
mined by the Commission; 
(B) may review the offsetting receipts and 
discretionary appropriations of the Federal 
Government, as determined appropriate by the 
Commission; and 
(C) may develop the criteria for achieving 
the purposes set forth in section 2. 
(2) CONSULTATION AND WORKING GROUPS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the re-
view under paragraph (1)(A), the Commission 
shall— 
(i) consult with experts in company 
restructuring, reorganizing, and cost cut-
ting; and 
(ii) establish working groups for 
means-tested welfare programs, as deter-
mined appropriate by the Commission, to 
provide recommendations to the Commis-
sion. 
(B) MEMBERS OF WORKING GROUPS.—The 
individuals serving on a working group estab-
lished under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be em-
ployees or contractors of the Commission with 
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expertise in a program reviewed by the working 
group. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date on which all members of the Commission 
are appointed, and upon an affirmative vote of a 
majority of the members of the Commission, the 
Commission shall submit to Congress and make pub-
licly available a report containing— 
(A) a detailed statement of the findings, 
conclusions, and recommendations of the Com-
mission; and 
(B) the assumptions, scenarios, and alter-
natives considered in reaching such findings, 
conclusions, and recommendations. 
(4) LEGISLATION TO CARRY OUT CHANGES IN 
LAW
TO
ACHIEVE
PURPOSES.—The Commission 
shall— 
(A) identify changes in law that will result 
in the consolidation and realignment in pro-
grams and outlays that will achieve the pur-
poses set forth in section 2; 
(B) include in the report submitted under 
paragraph (3) a bill consisting of proposed leg-
islative language to carry out the changes in 
law identified under subparagraph (A) (here-
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after in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission 
bill’’), except that the bill may not include pro-
visions creating a new program or agency, un-
less such program or agency is the result of a 
consolidation or realignment of existing pro-
grams and agencies which will have the pre-
dicted outcome of achieving the purposes of sec-
tion 2; and 
(C) include in such report an estimate of 
the savings in outlays that will be achieved by 
the enactment of the Commission bill, as devel-
oped in conjunction with the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office and the Director 
of the Office of Management and Budget. 
(5) INFORMATION
TO
MEMBERS
OF
CON-
GRESS.—After submission of the Commission bill 
under paragraph (4), the Commission shall promptly 
provide, upon request, to any Member of Congress 
information used by the Commission in making its 
recommendations. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 8 members, appointed as follows: 
(A) The majority leader of the Senate shall 
appoint 2 members. 
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(B) The minority leader of the Senate shall 
appoint 2 members. 
(C) The Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives shall appoint 2 members. 
(D) The minority leader of the House of 
Representatives shall appoint 2 members. 
(2) DISQUALIFICATIONS.—An individual may 
not be appointed as a member of the Commission if 
the individual— 
(A) was an officer or employee of any es-
tablishment in the Federal Government at any 
time during the 5-year period ending on the 
date of the appointment; or 
(B) was registered as a lobbyist under the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
1601 et seq.) at any time during the 5-year pe-
riod ending on the date of the appointment. 
(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The members of the Com-
mission shall select a Chairperson from among the 
members of the Commission. 
(4) DATE.—Not later than 1 month after the 
date of enactment of this Act, all members of the 
Commission shall be appointed. 
(5) PERIOD OF DESIGNATION.—Members shall 
be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any va-
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cancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, 
but shall be filled not later than 14 days after the 
date on which the vacancy occurs in the same man-
ner as the original appointment. 
(6) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the 
Commission shall be compensated at a rate 
equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay prescribed for a position at level IV 
of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 
of title 5, United States Code, for each day (in-
cluding travel time) during which such member 
is engaged in the performance of the duties of 
the Commission. 
(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members may be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code, 
while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in performance of services for the 
Commission. 
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the 
purpose of carrying out this Act— 
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(A) hold such hearings, sit and act at such 
times and places, take such testimony, receive 
such evidence, and administer such oaths as the 
Commission considers advisable to carry out its 
duties; and 
(B) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the 
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and 
the production of such books, records, cor-
respondence, memoranda, papers, documents, 
tapes, and materials as the Commission con-
siders advisable to carry out its duties. 
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
The Commission may request directly, or require, by 
subpoena or otherwise, from any Federal agency 
such information as the Commission considers nec-
essary to carry out its duties. Upon a request of the 
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of a Fed-
eral agency shall furnish such information to the 
Commission. 
(3) ISSUANCE
AND
ENFORCEMENT
OF
SUB-
POENAS.— 
(A) ISSUANCE.—Subpoenas issued under 
paragraph (1) or (2) shall bear the signature of 
the Chairperson of the Commission and shall be 
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served by any person or class of persons des-
ignated by the Chairperson for that purpose. 
(B) ENFORCEMENT.—In the case of contu-
macy or failure to obey a subpoena issued 
under paragraph (1) or (2), the United States 
district court for the judicial district in which 
the subpoenaed person resides, is served, or 
may be found may issue an order requiring 
such person to appear at any designated place 
to testify or to produce documentary or other 
evidence. Any failure to obey the order of the 
court may be punished by the court as a con-
tempt of that court. 
(4) WITNESS ALLOWANCES AND FEES.—Section 
1821 of title 28, United States Code, shall apply to 
witnesses requested or subpoenaed to appear at any 
hearing of the Commission. The per diem and mile-
age allowances for witnesses shall be paid from 
funds available to pay the expenses of the Commis-
sion. 
(5) INFORMATION FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL 
BUDGET OFFICE AND OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND 
BUDGET.—The Commission may secure directly 
from the Congressional Budget Office and Office of 
Management and Budget such information, includ-
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ing estimates and analysis, as the Commission con-
siders advisable to carry out its duties. Upon request 
of the Chairperson of the Commission, the Director 
of the Congressional Budget Office or Office of 
Management and Budget shall furnish such informa-
tion, including estimates and analysis, to the Com-
mission. 
(6) INFORMATION FROM THE LIBRARY OF CON-
GRESS.—Upon the request of the Commission, the 
Librarian of Congress shall provide to the Commis-
sion, on a reimbursable basis, administrative support 
services, research services, and research staff nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its respon-
sibilities under this Act. 
(e) STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT
AND
COMPENSATION
OF 
STAFF.—The Chairperson may appoint and fix the 
compensation of a staff director and such other em-
ployees as may be necessary to enable the Commis-
sion to carry out its functions, without regard to the 
provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
appointments in the competitive service, but at rates 
not to exceed the annual rate of basic pay prescribed 
for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule 
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under section 5316 of title 5 of the United States 
Code. 
(2) AGENCY ASSISTANCE.—Upon the request of 
the Chairperson, the head of any agency may detail 
an employee of the agency to the Commission with-
out reimbursement, and such detail shall be without 
interruption or loss of civil service status or privi-
lege. 
(f) CONSULTANT, TEMPORARY, AND INTERMITTENT 
SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Commission is au-
thorized to procure the services of experts and consultants 
and temporary and intermittent services in accordance 
with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at 
rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying 
a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under sec-
tion 5316 of title 5, United States Code, for each day dur-
ing which such consultant or expert is engaged in the per-
formance of the duties of the Commission. 
(g) CONSIDERATION OF SUGGESTIONS FROM THE 
PUBLIC THROUGH WEB SITE.—In carrying out its duties 
under this Act, the Commission shall— 
(1) establish a Web site for the purpose of al-
lowing any member of the public to submit sugges-
tions to the Commission for its consideration; and 
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(2) consider each such suggestion submitted 
through the Web site. 
(h) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Commission. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on the day after the earlier of— 
(1) the date on which the Commission bill is en-
acted into law; or 
(2) the last day of the Congress during which 
the Commission bill is introduced in the Senate or 
the House under section 5(a). 
SEC. 5. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES. 
(a) INTRODUCTION
OF
COMMISSION
BILL.—The 
Commission bill— 
(1) shall be introduced in the Senate (by re-
quest), with any technical changes necessary to 
carry out the intent of the bill, by the majority lead-
er of the Senate or by a Member of the Senate des-
ignated by the majority leader of the Senate not 
later than 5 legislative days after the date on which 
the bill is submitted to Congress under section 
4(b)(4); and 
(2) shall be introduced in the House of Rep-
resentatives (by request), with any technical changes 
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(D) an amendment to the Commission bill 
shall not be in order; and 
(E) a motion to reconsider the vote on pas-
sage of the Commission bill shall not be in 
order. 
(4) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—In the House of Rep-
resentatives, the Commission bill shall be agreed to 
upon a vote of a majority of the Members present 
and voting, a quorum being present. 
(c) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION IN SENATE.— 
(1) PLACEMENT ON CALENDAR.—Upon intro-
duction in the Senate, the Commission bill shall be 
placed immediately on the calendar. 
(2) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding rule 
XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is 
in order, not later than 30 legislative days after 
the date the Commission bill is introduced in 
the Senate (even though a previous motion to 
the same effect has been disagreed to) to move 
to proceed to the consideration of the Commis-
sion bill. 
(B) PROCEDURE.—For a motion to pro-
ceed to the consideration of the Commission 
bill— 
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(i) all points of order against the mo-
tion are waived; 
(ii) the motion is not debatable; 
(iii) the motion is not subject to a mo-
tion to postpone; 
(iv) a motion to reconsider the vote by 
which the motion is agreed to or disagreed 
to shall not be in order; and 
(v) if the motion is agreed to, the 
Commission bill shall remain the unfin-
ished business until disposed of. 
(3) FLOOR CONSIDERATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Senate proceeds 
to consideration of the Commission bill— 
(i) all points of order against the 
Commission bill (and against consideration 
of the Commission bill) are waived; 
(ii) consideration of the Commission 
bill, and all debatable motions and appeals 
in connection therewith, shall be limited to 
not more than 30 hours, which shall be di-
vided equally between the majority and mi-
nority leaders or their designees; 
(iii) a motion further to limit debate 
is in order and not debatable; 
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(iv) an amendment to, a motion to 
postpone, or a motion to commit the Com-
mission bill is not in order; and 
(v) a motion to proceed to the consid-
eration of other business is not in order. 
(B) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—In the Senate— 
(i) the vote on passage shall occur im-
mediately following the conclusion of the 
consideration of the Commission bill, and a 
single quorum call at the conclusion of the 
debate if requested in accordance with the 
rules of the Senate; and 
(ii) the Commission bill shall be 
agreed to upon a vote of a majority of the 
Members present and voting, a quorum 
being present. 
(C) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCE-
DURE.—Appeals from the decisions of the Chair 
relating to the application of this subsection or 
the rules of the Senate, as the case may be, to 
the procedure relating to the Commission bill 
shall be decided without debate. 
(d) RULES RELATING TO SENATE AND HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES.— 
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(1) COORDINATION
WITH
ACTION
BY
OTHER 
HOUSE.—If, before the passage by one House of the 
Commission bill of that House, that House receives 
from the other House the Commission bill— 
(A) the Commission bill of the other House 
shall not be referred to a committee; and 
(B) with respect to the Commission bill of 
the House receiving the resolution— 
(i) the procedure in that House shall 
be the same as if no Commission bill had 
been received from the other House; and 
(ii) the vote on passage shall be on 
the Commission bill of the other House. 
(2) TREATMENT
OF
COMMISSION
BILL
OF 
OTHER HOUSE.—If one House fails to introduce or 
consider the Commission bill under this section, the 
Commission bill of the other House shall be entitled 
to expedited floor procedures under this section. 
(3) TREATMENT OF COMPANION MEASURES.— 
If, following passage of the Commission bill in the 
Senate, the Senate receives the companion measure 
from the House of Representatives, the companion 
measure shall not be debatable. 
(4) VETOES.—If the President vetoes the Com-
mission bill, consideration of a veto message in the 
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Senate under this section shall be not more than 10 
hours equally divided between the majority and mi-
nority leaders or their designees. 
(e) RULES OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND 
SENATE.—This section is enacted by Congress— 
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of 
the Senate and House of Representatives, respec-
tively, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of 
each House, respectively, but applicable only with re-
spect to the procedure to be followed in that House 
in the case of the Commission bill, and supersede 
other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent 
with such rules; and 
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional 
right of either House to change the rules (so far as 
relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, 
in the same manner, and to the same extent as in 
the case of any other rule of that House. 
Æ 
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