I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 779 
To establish the Grace Commission II to review and make recommendations 
regarding cost control in the Federal Government, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 17, 2011 
Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois (for himself, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. DOLD, Mr. 
SCHOCK, Mr. HULTGREN, and Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a 
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Grace Commission II to review and make 
recommendations regarding cost control in the Federal 
Government, and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘Spending Control Act 
of 2011’’. 
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SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established an independent commission to be 
known as the ‘‘Grace Commission II’’. 
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 
The duties of the Commission shall be— 
(1) to conduct reviews in accordance with sec-
tion 7; and 
(2) to submit reports in accordance with section 
8. 
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of eight members appointed by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and consent of the Sen-
ate. 
(2) NOMINATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
President shall transmit to the Senate nominations 
for appointment to the Commission. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In selecting individuals 
for nominations for appointments to the Commis-
sion, the President shall consult with— 
(A) the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives concerning the appointment of 
three members; 
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(B) the majority leader of the Senate con-
cerning the appointment of three members; 
(C) the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives concerning the appointment of 
one member; and 
(D) the minority leader of the Senate con-
cerning the appointment of one member. 
(b) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the 
life of the Commission. 
(c) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall 
be filled in the manner in which the original appointment 
was made. 
(d) CHAIRMAN.—The Chairman of the Commission 
shall be designated by the President at the time of nomi-
nation of members of the Commission. 
(e) BASIC PAY.— 
(1) RATES OF PAY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), each member, other than the 
Chairman, shall be paid at a rate equal to the 
daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of 
basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
Code, for each day (including travel time) dur-
ing which the member is engaged in the actual 
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performance of duties vested in the Commis-
sion. 
(B) CHAIRMAN.—The Chairman shall be 
paid for each day referred to in subparagraph 
(A) at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of 
the minimum annual rate of basic pay payable 
for level III of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5314 of title 5, United States Code. 
(C) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member 
shall receive travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with appli-
cable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 
57 of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION OF FED-
ERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Commission 
who are full-time officers or employees of the United 
States or Members of Congress may not receive ad-
ditional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of 
their service on the Commission. 
(f) QUORUM.—Five members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hear-
ings. 
(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairman. 
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SEC. 5. DIRECTOR; STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a Direc-
tor who shall be appointed by the Commission. The Direc-
tor shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level IV of 
the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(b) STAFF.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—With the approval of the 
Commission, the Director may appoint and fix the 
pay of personnel as the Director considers appro-
priate. 
(2) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.—The Director may appoint the personnel of 
the Commission without regard to the provisions of 
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments 
in the competitive service, and any personnel so ap-
pointed may be paid without regard to the provisions 
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of 
that title relating to classification and General 
Schedule pay rates, except that an individual so ap-
pointed may not receive pay in excess of the annual 
rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Sched-
ule under section 5316 of such title. 
(3) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon re-
quest of the Director, the head of any Federal de-
partment or agency may detail, on a reimbursable 
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basis, any of the personnel of that department or 
agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out 
its duties under this Act. 
(c) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission 
may procure by contract temporary and intermittent serv-
ices under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and 
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. 
The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to 
witnesses appearing before it. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
Commission, take any action which the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 
may secure directly from any department or agency of the 
United States information necessary to enable it to carry 
out this Act. Upon request of the Chairman, the head of 
that department or agency shall furnish that information 
to the Commission. 
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
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ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 
States. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. 
(f) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission may 
contract with and compensate Government and private 
agencies or persons for products and services necessary 
for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under 
this Act. 
SEC. 7. COST CONTROL REVIEWS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In preparation for submitting re-
ports as required under section 8, the Commission shall 
conduct, every two years, a review of cost control in the 
Federal Government with respect to improving manage-
ment and reducing costs. 
(b) AGENCY STUDIES.—In conducting a review under 
this section, the Commission shall conduct in-depth stud-
ies of the operations of the Executive agencies as a basis 
for evaluating potential improvements in agency oper-
ations. 
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(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In conducting a review 
under this section, the Commission shall develop rec-
ommendations in the following areas: 
(1) Opportunities for increased efficiency and 
reduced costs in the Federal Government that can 
be realized by Executive action or legislation. 
(2) Areas where managerial accountability can 
be enhanced and administrative control can be im-
proved. 
(3) Opportunities for managerial improvements 
over both the short- and long-term. 
(4) Specific areas where further study can be 
justified by potential savings. 
(5) Ways to reduce governmental expenditures 
and indebtedness and improve personnel manage-
ment. 
SEC. 8. REPORTS. 
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—Not later than 180 days be-
fore the date on which the Commission is required to sub-
mit a final report under subsection (b), the Commission 
shall submit to Congress and the President an interim re-
port containing the preliminary results of the review being 
conducted under section 7 related to that final report. 
(b) FINAL REPORTS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
every two years thereafter until the date on which 
the Commission submits its third final report under 
this paragraph, the Commission shall submit to Con-
gress and the President a final report containing a 
detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of 
the Commission based on the most recent review 
conducted under section 7, together with its rec-
ommendations for legislative and administrative ac-
tions, and other matters the Commission considers 
appropriate. 
(2) PROPOSED LEGISLATION.—The Commission 
shall include in a final report submitted under para-
graph (1) proposed legislation in the form of an im-
plementation bill to carry out recommendations de-
veloped under section 7(c). 
(3) LIMITATION.—The Commission may include 
in a report submitted under this section proposed 
legislation under paragraph (2) only if such pro-
posed legislation is agreed to by not fewer than five 
of the members of the Commission. 
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SEC. 9. CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED 
LEGISLATION. 
(a) INTRODUCTION; REFERRAL; REPORT
OR DIS-
CHARGE.— 
(1) INTRODUCTION.—On the first calendar day 
on which both Houses are in session on or imme-
diately following the date on which a final report is 
submitted to Congress under section 8(b), the imple-
mentation bill included in such report shall be intro-
duced (by request)— 
(A) in the Senate by the majority leader of 
the Senate, for himself and the minority leader 
of the Senate, or by Members of the Senate 
designated by the majority leader and minority 
leader of the Senate; and 
(B) in the House of Representatives by the 
majority leader of the House of Representa-
tives, for himself and the minority leader of the 
House of Representatives, or by Members of the 
House of Representatives designated by the ma-
jority leader and minority leader of the House 
of Representatives. 
(2) REFERRAL.—An implementation bill intro-
duced under paragraph (1) shall be referred to any 
appropriate committee of jurisdiction in the Senate 
and any appropriate committee of jurisdiction in the 
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House of Representatives. A committee to which an 
implementation bill is referred under this paragraph 
may report such bill to the respective House, but 
only without amendment. 
(3) REPORT OR DISCHARGE.—If a committee to 
which an implementation bill is referred has not re-
ported such bill by the end of the 15th calendar day 
after the date of the introduction of such bill, such 
committee shall be immediately discharged from fur-
ther consideration of such bill, and upon being re-
ported or discharged from the committee, such bill 
shall be placed on the appropriate calendar. 
(b) FLOOR CONSIDERATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—When the committee to 
which an implementation bill is referred has re-
ported the bill, or has been discharged from further 
consideration of the bill under subsection (a)(3), it 
is at any time thereafter in order (even though a 
previous motion to the same effect has been dis-
agreed to) for any Member of the respective House 
to move to proceed to the consideration of the imple-
mentation bill, and all points of order against the 
implementation bill (and against consideration of the 
implementation bill) are waived. The motion is high-
ly privileged in the House of Representatives and is 
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privileged in the Senate and is not debatable. The 
motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion 
to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consid-
eration of other business. A motion to reconsider the 
vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed 
to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to 
the consideration of the implementation bill is 
agreed to, the implementation bill shall remain the 
unfinished business of the respective House until 
disposed of. 
(2) AMENDMENTS.—An implementation bill 
may not be amended in the Senate or the House of 
Representatives. 
(3) DEBATE.—Debate on the implementation 
bill, and on all debatable motions and appeals in 
connection therewith, shall be limited to not more 
than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally be-
tween those favoring and those opposing the bill. A 
motion further to limit debate is in order and not 
debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to post-
pone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of 
other business, or a motion to recommit the imple-
mentation bill is not in order. A motion to reconsider 
the vote by which the implementation bill is agreed 
to or disagreed to is not in order. 
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(4) VOTE
ON
FINAL
PASSAGE.—Immediately 
following the conclusion of the debate on an imple-
mentation bill, and a single quorum call at the con-
clusion of the debate if requested in accordance with 
the rules of the appropriate House, the vote on final 
passage of the implementation bill shall occur. 
(5) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCEDURE.— 
Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to 
the application of the rules of the Senate or the 
House of Representatives, as the case may be, to the 
procedure relating to an implementation bill shall be 
decided without debate. 
(c) COORDINATION
WITH
ACTION
BY
OTHER 
HOUSE.—If, before the passage by one House of an imple-
mentation bill of that House, that House receives from 
the other House an implementation bill, then the following 
procedures shall apply: 
(1) NONREFERRAL.—The implementation bill 
of the other House shall not be referred to a com-
mittee. 
(2) VOTE ON BILL OF OTHER HOUSE.—With 
respect to an implementation bill of the House re-
ceiving the implementation bill— 
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(A) the procedure in that House shall be 
the same as if no implementation bill had been 
received from the other House; but 
(B) the vote on final passage shall be on 
the implementation bill of the other House. 
(d) RULES OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES.—This section is enacted by Con-
gress— 
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of 
the Senate and House of Representatives, respec-
tively, and as such it is deemed a part of the rules 
of each House, respectively, but applicable only with 
respect to the procedure to be followed in that 
House in the case of an implementation bill, and it 
supersedes 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. 
SEC. 10. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 
one day after the date on which it submits its third final 
report under section 8(b). 
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SEC. 11. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) CALENDAR DAY.—The term ‘‘calendar day’’ 
means a calendar day other than one on which ei-
ther House is not in session because of an adjourn-
ment of more than 3 days to a date certain. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Grace Commission II established by sec-
tion 2. 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION BILL.—The term ‘‘imple-
mentation bill’’ means only a bill that is introduced 
as provided under section 9(a), and contains the 
proposed legislation described in section 8(b)(2), 
without modification. 
(4) MEMBER.—The term ‘‘member’’ means a 
member of the Commission appointed under section 
4(a)(1). 
Æ 
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