I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6996 
To establish the Joint Select Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Long- 
Term Economic Security. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 22, 2020 
Mr. ROUDA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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 Joint Select Committee on Fiscal 
Responsibility and Long-Term Economic Security. 
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 ‘‘Fiscal Responsibility 
and Long-Term Economic Security Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE. 
Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
(2 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON FIS-
CAL
RESPONSIBILITY
AND
LONG-TERM
ECONOMIC 
SECURITY 
‘‘SEC. 316. (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) JOINT
SELECT
COMMITTEE.—The term 
‘joint select committee’ means the Joint Select Com-
mittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Long-Term Eco-
nomic Security established under subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(2) JOINT
SELECT
COMMITTEE
BILL.—The 
term ‘joint select committee bill’ means a bill con-
sisting of the proposed legislative language of the 
joint select committee recommended under sub-
section (b)(3)(B) and introduced under subsection 
(e)(1). 
‘‘(3) FISCAL IMBALANCE.—The term ‘fiscal im-
balance’ means the gap between the projected reve-
nues and expenditures of the Government. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
JOINT
SELECT
COM-
MITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the legislative branch a joint select committee to be 
known as the ‘Joint Select Committee on Fiscal Re-
sponsibility and Long-Term Economic Security’. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSES.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) REVIEW.—The joint select committee 
shall review the fiscal imbalance of the Govern-
ment, including— 
‘‘(i) analyses of projected expendi-
tures; 
‘‘(ii) analyses of projected revenues; 
and 
‘‘(iii) analyses of the current and 
long-term actuarial financial condition of 
the Government. 
‘‘(B) IDENTIFY FACTORS.—The joint select 
committee shall identify factors that affect the 
long-term fiscal imbalance of the Government. 
‘‘(C) ANALYZE
POTENTIAL
COURSES
OF 
ACTION.—The joint select committee shall ana-
lyze potential courses of action to address fac-
tors that affect the long-term fiscal imbalance 
of the Government. 
‘‘(D) PROVIDE
RECOMMENDATIONS
AND 
LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE.—In consultation with 
the applicable committees of subject-matter ju-
risdiction, the joint select committee shall pro-
vide recommendations and legislative language 
that will significantly improve the long-term fis-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
cal imbalance of the Government, including rec-
ommendations addressing— 
‘‘(i) expenditures; 
‘‘(ii) revenues; and 
‘‘(iii) the current and long-term actu-
arial financial condition of the Govern-
ment. 
‘‘(3) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The joint select com-
mittee shall address the Nation’s long-term fis-
cal imbalances, consistent with the purposes de-
scribed in paragraph (2), and shall submit the 
report and recommendations required under 
subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(B) REPORT, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND 
LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of the 
Fiscal Responsibility and Long-Term Eco-
nomic Security Act, the joint select com-
mittee shall vote on a report that con-
tains— 
‘‘(I) a detailed statement of the 
findings, 
conclusions, 
and 
rec-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
ommendations of the joint select com-
mittee; 
‘‘(II) the assumptions, scenarios, 
and alternatives considered in reach-
ing such findings, conclusions, and 
recommendations; and 
‘‘(III) proposed legislative lan-
guage to carry out such recommenda-
tions 
as 
described 
in 
paragraph 
(2)(D). 
‘‘(ii) APPROVAL OF REPORT.—The re-
port of the joint select committee sub-
mitted under clause (i) shall require the 
approval of not fewer than 10 out of 16 
members that includes not fewer than 5 
members from the political party of the 
Speaker of the House and not fewer than 
5 members of the opposing political party. 
‘‘(iii) ADDITIONAL VIEWS.—A member 
of the joint select committee who gives no-
tice of an intention to file supplemental, 
minority, or additional views at the time of 
final joint select committee approval of the 
report under clause (ii), shall be entitled to 
not less than 3 calendar days in which to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The joint select com-
mittee shall be composed of 16 members des-
ignated pursuant to subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(B) DESIGNATION.—Members of the joint 
select committee shall be designated as follows: 
‘‘(i) The majority leader of the Senate 
shall designate 4 members from among 
Members of the Senate. 
‘‘(ii) The minority leader of the Sen-
ate shall designate 4 members from among 
Members of the Senate. 
‘‘(iii) The Speaker of the House of 
Representatives shall designate 8 members 
from among Members of the House of 
Representatives of whom 4 shall be upon 
the recommendation of the minority leader. 
‘‘(C) CO-CHAIRS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—There shall be 2 
Co-Chairs of the joint select committee. 
The Speaker of the House in coordination 
with the minority leader of the Senate 
shall designate one Co-Chair among the 
voting members of the joint select com-
mittee. The majority leader of the Senate 
in coordination with the minority leader of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
the House shall designate the second Co- 
Chair among the members of the joint se-
lect committee. The Co-Chairs shall be ap-
pointed not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(ii) STAFF
DIRECTOR.—The Co- 
Chairs, acting jointly, shall hire the staff 
director of the joint select committee. 
‘‘(D) DATE.—Members of the joint select 
committee shall be designated by not later than 
90 days after the date of enactment of this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(E) PERIOD OF DESIGNATION.—Members 
shall be designated for the life of the joint se-
lect committee. Any vacancy in the joint select 
committee shall not affect its powers, but shall 
be filled not later than 15 days after the date 
on which the vacancy occurs in the same man-
ner as the original designation. 
‘‘(5) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(A) AUTHORITY
TO
ESTABLISH
RULES 
AND
REGULATIONS.—The Co-Chairs, in con-
sultation with the other members of the joint 
select committee, may establish rules and regu-
lations for the conduct of joint select committee 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
business, if such rules and regulations are not 
inconsistent with this section or the Rules of 
the House of Representatives or the Standing 
Rules of the Senate. 
‘‘(B) QUORUM.—Nine members of the 
joint select committee shall constitute a quorum 
for purposes of voting, meeting, and holding 
hearings. 
‘‘(C) VOTING.— 
‘‘(i) PROXY VOTING.—No proxy voting 
shall be allowed on behalf of the members 
of the joint select committee. 
‘‘(ii) CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET
OF-
FICE AND JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION 
ESTIMATES.—The Congressional Budget 
Office and Joint Committee on Taxation 
shall provide estimates of the joint select 
committee report and recommendations (as 
described in paragraph (2)(D)) in accord-
ance with section 308(a) and 201(f) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. The 
joint select committee may not vote on any 
version of the report, recommendations, or 
legislative language unless a final estimate 
is available for consideration by all the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
members at least 72 hours prior to the 
vote. 
‘‘(D) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(i) INITIAL
MEETING.—Not later 
than 45 days after the appointment of the 
Co-Chairs, the joint select committee shall 
hold its first meeting. 
‘‘(ii) MEETINGS.—The joint select 
committee shall meet at the call of the Co- 
Chairs or at least 10 of its members. 
‘‘(iii) AGENDA.—An agenda shall be 
provided to the joint select committee 
members at least 3 legislative days in ad-
vance of any meeting. Joint select com-
mittee members who want to have items 
placed on the agenda for consideration 
shall notify the staff director as early as 
possible, but not less than 48 hours in ad-
vance of a scheduled meeting. 
‘‘(E) HEARINGS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The joint select 
committee may, for the purpose of carrying 
out this section, hold such hearings, sit 
and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, receive such evidence, and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
administer such oaths the joint select com-
mittee considers advisable. 
‘‘(ii) HEARING PROCEDURES AND RE-
SPONSIBILITIES OF CO-CHAIRS.— 
‘‘(I) 
ANNOUNCEMENT.—The 
joint select committee Co-Chairs shall 
make public announcement of the 
date, place, time, and subject matter 
of any hearing to be conducted at 
least 3 legislative days in advance of 
such hearing, unless the Co-Chairs de-
termine that there is good cause to 
begin such hearing at an earlier date. 
‘‘(II) WRITTEN STATEMENT.—A 
witness appearing before the joint se-
lect committee, including the Sec-
retary of the Treasury, shall file a 
written statement of proposed testi-
mony at least 2 days prior to appear-
ance, unless the requirement is waived 
by the Co-Chairs, following their de-
termination that there is good cause 
for failure of compliance. 
‘‘(F) 
TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—Upon 
written request of the Co-Chairs, a Federal 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
agency shall provide technical assistance to the 
joint select committee in order for the joint se-
lect committee to carry out its duties. 
‘‘(c) STAFF OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT
AND
COMPENSATION
OF 
SHARED STAFF.—The Co-Chairs may appoint and 
fix the compensation of a staff director and such 
other personnel as may be necessary to enable the 
joint select committee to carry out its functions, 
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United 
States Code, governing appointments in the competi-
tive service, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate 
paid a person occupying a position at level III of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL
STAFF
FOR
JOINT
SELECT 
COMMITTEE MEMBERS.—Each member of the joint 
select committee may appoint 1 additional dedicated 
staff and fix the compensation of such dedicated 
personnel without regard to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive service, but at rates not to exceed the 
daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level 
III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
title 5, United States Code. Dedicated staff shall re-
port to each appointing member. 
‘‘(3) ADVISORY PANEL.—The joint select com-
mittee may establish an advisory panel consisting of 
volunteers with knowledge and expertise relevant to 
the joint select committee’s purpose. Membership of 
the Advisory Panel, and the scope of the Panel’s ac-
tivities, shall be decided by the Co-Chairs in con-
sultation with the other members of the joint select 
committee. 
‘‘(d) TERMINATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The joint select committee 
shall terminate 90 days after the joint select com-
mittee submits the report required under subsection 
(b)(3)(B). 
‘‘(2) CONCLUDING ACTIVITIES.—The joint se-
lect committee may use the 90-day period referred 
to in paragraph (1) for the purpose of concluding its 
activities, including providing testimony to commit-
tees of Congress concerning its report and dissemi-
nating the final report. 
‘‘(e) EXPEDITED PROCEDURES.— 
‘‘(1) INTRODUCTION
OF
JOINT
SELECT
COM-
MITTEE BILL.—The joint select committee bill— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) shall be introduced in the Senate (by 
request), with any technical changes necessary 
to carry out the intent of the bill, by the major-
ity leader of the Senate or by a Member of the 
Senate designated by the majority leader of the 
Senate not later than 5 legislative days after 
the date on which the bill is submitted to Con-
gress under subsection (b)(3)(B); and 
‘‘(B) shall be introduced in the House of 
Representatives (by request), with any technical 
changes necessary to carry out the intent of the 
bill, by the Speaker of the House of Represent-
atives or by a Member of the House of Rep-
resentatives designated by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives not later than 5 legis-
lative days after the date on which the bill is 
submitted 
to 
Congress 
under 
subsection 
(b)(3)(B). 
‘‘(2) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION IN HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES.— 
‘‘(A) PLACEMENT
ON
CALENDAR.—Upon 
introduction in the House of Representatives, 
the joint select committee bill shall be placed 
immediately on the appropriate calendar. 
‘‘(B) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—It shall be in 
order, not later than 30 legislative days 
after the date the joint select committee 
bill is introduced in the House of Rep-
resentatives, to move to proceed to con-
sider the joint select committee bill in the 
House of Representatives. 
‘‘(ii) PROCEDURE.—For a motion to 
proceed to consider the joint select com-
mittee bill— 
‘‘(I) all points of order against 
the motion are waived; 
‘‘(II) such a motion shall not be 
in order after the House of Represent-
atives has disposed of a motion to 
proceed on the joint select committee 
bill; 
‘‘(III) the previous question shall 
be considered as ordered on the mo-
tion to its adoption without inter-
vening motion; 
‘‘(IV) the motion shall not be de-
batable; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(V) a motion to reconsider the 
vote by which the motion is disposed 
of shall not be in order. 
‘‘(C) CONSIDERATION.—When the House 
of Representatives proceeds to consideration of 
the joint select committee bill— 
‘‘(i) the joint select committee bill 
shall be considered as read; 
‘‘(ii) all points of order against the 
joint select committee bill and against its 
consideration are waived; 
‘‘(iii) the previous question shall be 
considered as ordered on the joint select 
committee bill to its passage without inter-
vening motion except 10 hours of debate 
equally divided and controlled by the pro-
ponent and an opponent; 
‘‘(iv) an amendment to the joint select 
committee bill shall not be in order; and 
‘‘(v) a motion to reconsider the vote 
on passage of the joint select committee 
bill shall not be in order. 
‘‘(D) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—In the House of 
Representatives, the joint select committee bill 
shall be agreed to upon a vote of a majority of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
the Members present and voting, a quorum 
being present. 
‘‘(3) EXPEDITED
CONSIDERATION
IN
SEN-
ATE.— 
‘‘(A) PLACEMENT
ON
CALENDAR.—Upon 
introduction in the Senate, the joint select com-
mittee bill shall be placed immediately on the 
calendar. 
‘‘(B) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.— 
‘‘(i) 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 joint se-
lect committee 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 
joint select committee bill. 
‘‘(ii) PROCEDURE.—For a motion to 
proceed to the consideration of the joint 
select committee bill— 
‘‘(I) all points of order against 
the motion are waived; 
‘‘(II) the motion is not debatable; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(III) the motion is not subject 
to a motion 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 joint select committee bill shall re-
main the unfinished business until 
disposed of. 
‘‘(C) FLOOR CONSIDERATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If the Senate pro-
ceeds to consideration of the joint select 
committee bill— 
‘‘(I) all points of order against 
the joint select committee bill (and 
against consideration of the joint se-
lect committee bill) are waived; 
‘‘(II) consideration of the joint 
select committee bill, and all debatable 
motions and appeals in connection 
therewith, shall be limited to not more 
than 30 hours, which shall be divided 
equally between the majority and mi-
nority leaders or their designees; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(III) a motion further to limit 
debate is in order and not debatable; 
‘‘(IV) an amendment to, a mo-
tion to postpone, or a motion to com-
mit the joint select committee bill is 
not in order; and 
‘‘(V) a motion to proceed to the 
consideration of other business is not 
in order. 
‘‘(ii) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—In the Sen-
ate— 
‘‘(I) the vote on passage shall 
occur immediately following the con-
clusion of the consideration of the 
joint select committee bill, and a sin-
gle quorum call at the conclusion of 
the debate if requested in accordance 
with the rules of the Senate; and 
‘‘(II) the joint select committee 
bill shall be agreed to upon a vote of 
a majority of the Members present 
and voting, a quorum being present. 
‘‘(iii) RULINGS
OF
THE
CHAIR
ON 
PROCEDURE.—Appeals from the decisions 
of the Chair relating to the application of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
this subsection or the rules of the Senate, 
as the case may be, to the procedure relat-
ing to the joint select committee bill shall 
be decided without debate. 
‘‘(4) RULES RELATING TO SENATE AND HOUSE 
OF REPRESENTATIVES.— 
‘‘(A) COORDINATION
WITH
ACTION
BY 
OTHER HOUSE.—If, before the passage by one 
House of the joint select committee bill of that 
House, that House receives from the other 
House the joint select committee bill— 
‘‘(i) the joint select committee bill of 
the other House shall not be referred to a 
committee; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to the joint select 
committee bill of the House receiving the 
resolution— 
‘‘(I) the procedure in that House 
shall be the same as if no joint select 
committee bill had been received from 
the other House; and 
‘‘(II) the vote on passage shall be 
on the joint select committee bill of 
the other House. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) TREATMENT OF JOINT SELECT COM-
MITTEE BILL OF OTHER HOUSE.—If one House 
fails to introduce or consider the joint select 
committee bill under this subsection, the joint 
select committee bill of the other House shall be 
entitled to expedited floor procedures under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(C) TREATMENT
OF
COMPANION
MEAS-
URES.—If, following passage of the joint select 
committee bill in the Senate, the Senate re-
ceives the companion measure from the House 
of Representatives, the companion measure 
shall not be debatable. 
‘‘(D) VETOES.—If the President vetoes the 
joint select committee bill, consideration of a 
veto message in the Senate under this sub-
section shall be not more than 10 hours equally 
divided between the majority and minority lead-
ers or their designees.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:23 Jun 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6996.IH
H6996
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS