Budget Control Act of 2011
PL 112-25 (S.365), enacted 08/02/2011

125 STAT. 240 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
Public Law 112–25 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for budget control. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Budget Control 
Act of 2011’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Severability. 
TITLE I—TEN-YEAR DISCRETIONARY CAPS WITH SEQUESTER 
Sec. 101. Enforcing discretionary spending limits. 
Sec. 102. Definitions. 
Sec. 103. Reports and orders. 
Sec. 104. Expiration. 
Sec. 105. Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act 
of 1974. 
Sec. 106. Senate budget enforcement. 
TITLE II—VOTE ON THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT 
Sec. 201. Vote on the balanced budget amendment. 
Sec. 202. Consideration by the other House. 
TITLE III—DEBT CEILING DISAPPROVAL PROCESS 
Sec. 301. Debt ceiling disapproval process. 
Sec. 302. Enforcement of budget goal. 
TITLE IV—JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION 
Sec. 401. Establishment of Joint Select Committee. 
Sec. 402. Expedited consideration of joint committee recommendations. 
Sec. 403. Funding. 
Sec. 404. Rulemaking. 
TITLE V—PELL GRANT AND STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM CHANGES 
Sec. 501. Federal Pell grants. 
Sec. 502. Termination of authority to make interest subsidized loans to graduate 
and professional students. 
Sec. 503. Termination of direct loan repayment incentives. 
Sec. 504. Inapplicability of title IV negotiated rulemaking and master calendar ex-
ception. 
SEC. 2. SEVERABILITY. 
If any provision of this Act, or any application of such provision 
to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
remainder of this Act and the application of this Act to any other 
person or circumstance shall not be affected. 
2 USC 900 note. 
2 USC 900 note. 
Budget Control 
Act of 2011. 
Aug. 2, 2011 
[S. 365] 
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125 STAT. 241 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
TITLE I—TEN-YEAR DISCRETIONARY 
CAPS WITH SEQUESTER 
SEC. 101. ENFORCING DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS. 
Section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 251. ENFORCING DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS. 
‘‘(a) ENFORCEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) SEQUESTRATION.—Within 15 calendar days after Con-
gress adjourns to end a session there shall be a sequestration 
to eliminate a budget-year breach, if any, within any category. 
‘‘(2) ELIMINATING
A
BREACH.—Each non-exempt account 
within a category shall be reduced by a dollar amount calculated 
by multiplying the enacted level of sequestrable budgetary 
resources in that account at that time by the uniform percent-
age necessary to eliminate a breach within that category. 
‘‘(3) MILITARY
PERSONNEL.—If the President uses the 
authority to exempt any personnel account from sequestration 
under section 255(f), each account within subfunctional category 
051 (other than those military personnel accounts for which 
the authority provided under section 255(f) has been exercised) 
shall be further reduced by a dollar amount calculated by 
multiplying the enacted level of non-exempt budgetary 
resources in that account at that time by the uniform percent-
age necessary to offset the total dollar amount by which outlays 
are not reduced in military personnel accounts by reason of 
the use of such authority. 
‘‘(4) PART-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS.—If, on the date specified 
in paragraph (1), there is in effect an Act making or continuing 
appropriations for part of a fiscal year for any budget account, 
then the dollar sequestration calculated for that account under 
paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be subtracted from— 
‘‘(A) the annualized amount otherwise available by law 
in that account under that or a subsequent part-year appro-
priation; and 
‘‘(B) when a full-year appropriation for that account 
is enacted, from the amount otherwise provided by the 
full-year appropriation for that account. 
‘‘(5) LOOK-BACK.—If, after June 30, an appropriation for 
the fiscal year in progress is enacted that causes a breach 
within a category for that year (after taking into account any 
sequestration of amounts within that category), the discre-
tionary spending limits for that category for the next fiscal 
year shall be reduced by the amount or amounts of that breach. 
‘‘(6) WITHIN-SESSION SEQUESTRATION.—If an appropriation 
for a fiscal year in progress is enacted (after Congress adjourns 
to end the session for that budget year and before July 1 
of that fiscal year) that causes a breach within a category 
for that year (after taking into account any prior sequestration 
of amounts within that category), 15 days later there shall 
be a sequestration to eliminate that breach within that category 
following the procedures set forth in paragraphs (2) through 
(4). 
‘‘(7) ESTIMATES.— 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
2 USC 901. 
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125 STAT. 242 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(A) CBO ESTIMATES.—As soon as practicable after 
Congress completes action on any discretionary appropria-
tion, CBO, after consultation with the Committees on the 
Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate, 
shall provide OMB with an estimate of the amount of 
discretionary new budget authority and outlays for the 
current year, if any, and the budget year provided by 
that legislation. 
‘‘(B) OMB 
ESTIMATES
AND
EXPLANATION
OF
DIF-
FERENCES.—Not later than 7 calendar days (excluding 
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) after the date 
of enactment of any discretionary appropriation, OMB shall 
transmit a report to the House of Representatives and 
to the Senate containing the CBO estimate of that legisla-
tion, an OMB estimate of the amount of discretionary new 
budget authority and outlays for the current year, if any, 
and the budget year provided by that legislation, and an 
explanation of any difference between the 2 estimates. 
If during the preparation of the report OMB determines 
that there is a significant difference between OMB and 
CBO, OMB shall consult with the Committees on the 
Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
regarding that difference and that consultation shall 
include, to the extent practicable, written communication 
to those committees that affords such committees the oppor-
tunity to comment before the issuance of the report. 
‘‘(C) ASSUMPTIONS AND GUIDELINES.—OMB estimates 
under this paragraph shall be made using current economic 
and technical assumptions. OMB shall use the OMB esti-
mates transmitted to the Congress under this paragraph. 
OMB and CBO shall prepare estimates under this para-
graph in conformance with scorekeeping guidelines deter-
mined after consultation among the Committees on the 
Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate, 
CBO, and OMB. 
‘‘(D) ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.—For purposes of this 
paragraph, amounts provided by annual appropriations 
shall include any discretionary appropriations for the cur-
rent year, if any, and the budget year in accounts for 
which funding is provided in that legislation that result 
from previously enacted legislation. 
‘‘(b) ADJUSTMENTS TO DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS.— 
‘‘(1) CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS.—When the President sub-
mits the budget under section 1105 of title 31, United States 
Code, OMB shall calculate and the budget shall include adjust-
ments to discretionary spending limits (and those limits as 
cumulatively adjusted) for the budget year and each outyear 
to reflect changes in concepts and definitions. Such changes 
shall equal the baseline levels of new budget authority and 
outlays using up-to-date concepts and definitions, minus those 
levels using the concepts and definitions in effect before such 
changes. Such changes may only be made after consultation 
with the Committees on Appropriations and the Budget of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate, and that consulta-
tion shall include written communication to such committees 
that affords such committees the opportunity to comment before 
official action is taken with respect to such changes. 
Consultation. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
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125 STAT. 243 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(2) SEQUESTRATION
REPORTS.—When OMB submits a 
sequestration report under section 254(e), (f), or (g) for a fiscal 
year, OMB shall calculate, and the sequestration report and 
subsequent budgets submitted by the President under section 
1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, shall include adjust-
ments to discretionary spending limits (and those limits as 
adjusted) for the fiscal year and each succeeding year, as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(A) EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS; OVERSEAS CONTIN-
GENCY OPERATIONS/GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.—If, for any 
fiscal year, appropriations for discretionary accounts are 
enacted that— 
‘‘(i) the Congress designates as emergency require-
ments in statute on an account by account basis and 
the President subsequently so designates, or 
‘‘(ii) the Congress designates for Overseas Contin-
gency Operations/Global War on Terrorism in statute 
on an account by account basis and the President 
subsequently so designates, 
the adjustment shall be the total of such appropriations 
in discretionary accounts designated as emergency require-
ments or for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War 
on Terrorism, as applicable. 
‘‘(B) CONTINUING
DISABILITY
REVIEWS
AND
REDETER-
MINATIONS.—(i) If a bill or joint resolution making appro-
priations for a fiscal year is enacted that specifies an 
amount for continuing disability reviews under titles II 
and XVI of the Social Security Act and for the cost associ-
ated with conducting redeterminations of eligibility under 
title XVI of the Social Security Act, then the adjustments 
for that fiscal year shall be the additional new budget 
authority provided in that Act for such expenses for that 
fiscal year, but shall not exceed— 
‘‘(I) for fiscal year 2012, $623,000,000 in additional 
new budget authority; 
‘‘(II) for fiscal year 2013, $751,000,000 in additional 
new budget authority; 
‘‘(III) for fiscal year 2014, $924,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(IV) for fiscal year 2015, $1,123,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(V) for fiscal year 2016, $1,166,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(VI) for fiscal year 2017, $1,309,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(VII) for fiscal year 2018, $1,309,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(VIII) for fiscal year 2019, $1,309,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(IX) for fiscal year 2020, $1,309,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; and 
‘‘(X) for fiscal year 2021, $1,309,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority. 
‘‘(ii) As used in this subparagraph— 
‘‘(I) the term ‘continuing disability reviews’ means 
continuing disability reviews under sections 221(i) and 
1614(a)(4) of the Social Security Act; 
Definitions. 
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125 STAT. 244 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(II) the term ‘redetermination’ means redeter-
mination of eligibility under sections 1611(c)(1) and 
1614(a)(3)(H) of the Social Security Act; and 
‘‘(III) the term ‘additional new budget authority’ 
means the amount provided for a fiscal year, in excess 
of $273,000,000, in an appropriation Act and specified 
to pay for the costs of continuing disability reviews 
and redeterminations under the heading ‘Limitation 
on Administrative Expenses’ for the Social Security 
Administration. 
‘‘(C) HEALTH
CARE
FRAUD
AND
ABUSE
CONTROL.—(i) 
If a bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a 
fiscal year is enacted that specifies an amount for the 
health care fraud abuse control program at the Department 
of Health and Human Services (75–8393–0–7–571), then 
the adjustments for that fiscal year shall be the amount 
of additional new budget authority provided in that Act 
for such program for that fiscal year, but shall not exceed— 
‘‘(I) for fiscal year 2012, $270,000,000 in additional 
new budget authority; 
‘‘(II) for fiscal year 2013, $299,000,000 in additional 
new budget authority; 
‘‘(III) for fiscal year 2014, $329,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(IV) for fiscal year 2015, $361,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(V) for fiscal year 2016, $395,000,000 in additional 
new budget authority; 
‘‘(VI) for fiscal year 2017, $414,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(VII) for fiscal year 2018, $434,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(VIII) for fiscal year 2019, $454,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; 
‘‘(IX) for fiscal year 2020, $475,000,000 in addi-
tional new budget authority; and 
‘‘(X) for fiscal year 2021, $496,000,000 in additional 
new budget authority. 
‘‘(ii) As used in this subparagraph, the term ‘additional 
new budget authority’ means the amount provided for a 
fiscal year, in excess of $311,000,000, in an appropriation 
Act and specified to pay for the costs of the health care 
fraud and abuse control program. 
‘‘(D) DISASTER FUNDING.— 
‘‘(i) If, for fiscal years 2012 through 2021, appro-
priations for discretionary accounts are enacted that 
Congress designates as being for disaster relief in 
statute, the adjustment for a fiscal year shall be the 
total of such appropriations for the fiscal year in discre-
tionary accounts designated as being for disaster relief, 
but not to exceed the total of— 
‘‘(I) the average funding provided for disaster 
relief over the previous 10 years, excluding the 
highest and lowest years; and 
‘‘(II) the amount, for years when the enacted 
new discretionary budget authority designated as 
being for disaster relief for the preceding fiscal 
Definition. 
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125 STAT. 245 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
year was less than the average as calculated in 
subclause (I) for that fiscal year, that is the dif-
ference between the enacted amount and the allow-
able adjustment as calculated in such subclause 
for that fiscal year. 
‘‘(ii) OMB shall report to the Committees on Appro-
priations and Budget in each House the average cal-
culated pursuant to clause (i)(II), not later than 30 
days after the date of the enactment of the Budget 
Control Act of 2011. 
‘‘(iii) For the purposes of this subparagraph, the 
term ‘disaster relief’ means activities carried out pursu-
ant to a determination under section 102(2) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)). 
‘‘(iv) Appropriations considered disaster relief 
under this subparagraph in a fiscal year shall not 
be eligible for adjustments under subparagraph (A) 
for the fiscal year. 
‘‘(c) DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMIT.—As used in this part, 
the term ‘discretionary spending limit’ means— 
‘‘(1) with respect to fiscal year 2012— 
‘‘(A) for the security category, $684,000,000,000 in new 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(B) for the nonsecurity category, $359,000,000,000 in 
new budget authority; 
‘‘(2) with respect to fiscal year 2013— 
‘‘(A) for the security category, $686,000,000,000 in new 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(B) for the nonsecurity category, $361,000,000,000 in 
new budget authority; 
‘‘(3) with respect to fiscal year 2014, for the discretionary 
category, $1,066,000,000,000 in new budget authority; 
‘‘(4) with respect to fiscal year 2015, for the discretionary 
category, $1,086,000,000,000 in new budget authority; 
‘‘(5) with respect to fiscal year 2016, for the discretionary 
category, $1,107,000,000,000 in new budget authority; 
‘‘(6) with respect to fiscal year 2017, for the discretionary 
category, $1,131,000,000,000 in new budget authority; 
‘‘(7) with respect to fiscal year 2018, for the discretionary 
category, $1,156,000,000,000 in new budget authority; 
‘‘(8) with respect to fiscal year 2019, for the discretionary 
category, $1,182,000,000,000 in new budget authority; 
‘‘(9) with respect to fiscal year 2020, for the discretionary 
category, $1,208,000,000,000 in new budget authority; and 
‘‘(10) with respect to fiscal year 2021, for the discretionary 
category, $1,234,000,000,000 in new budget authority; 
as adjusted in strict conformance with subsection (b).’’. 
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 250(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 is amended as follows: 
(1) Strike paragraph (4) and insert the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(4)(A) The term ‘nonsecurity category’ means all discre-
tionary appropriations not included in the security category 
defined in subparagraph (B). 
2 USC 900. 
Definition. 
Definition. 
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125 STAT. 246 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(B) The term ‘security category’ includes discretionary 
appropriations associated with agency budgets for the Depart-
ment of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Nuclear Security 
Administration, 
the 
intelligence 
community 
management 
account (95–0401–0–1–054), and all budget accounts in budget 
function 150 (international affairs). 
‘‘(C) The term ‘discretionary category’ includes all discre-
tionary appropriations.’’. 
(2) In paragraph (8)(C), strike ‘‘the food stamp program’’ 
and insert ‘‘the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’’. 
(3) Strike paragraph (14) and insert the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(14) The term ‘outyear’ means a fiscal year one or more 
years after the budget year.’’. 
(4) At the end, add the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(20) The term ‘emergency’ means a situation that— 
‘‘(A) requires new budget authority and outlays (or 
new budget authority and the outlays flowing therefrom) 
for the prevention or mitigation of, or response to, loss 
of life or property, or a threat to national security; and 
‘‘(B) is unanticipated. 
‘‘(21) The term ‘unanticipated’ means that the underlying 
situation is— 
‘‘(A) sudden, which means quickly coming into being 
or not building up over time; 
‘‘(B) urgent, which means a pressing and compelling 
need requiring immediate action; 
‘‘(C) unforeseen, which means not predicted or antici-
pated as an emerging need; and 
‘‘(D) temporary, which means not of a permanent dura-
tion.’’. 
SEC. 103. REPORTS AND ORDERS. 
Section 254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 is amended as follows: 
(1) In subsection (c)(2), strike ‘‘2002’’ and insert ‘‘2021’’. 
(2) At the end of subsection (e), insert ‘‘This report shall 
also contain a preview estimate of the adjustment for disaster 
funding for the upcoming fiscal year.’’. 
(3) In subsection (f)(2)(A), strike ‘‘2002’’ and insert ‘‘2021’’; 
before the concluding period insert ‘‘, including a final estimate 
of the adjustment for disaster funding’’. 
SEC. 104. EXPIRATION. 
(a) REPEALER.—Section 275 of the Balanced Budget and Emer-
gency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING CHANGE.—Sections 252(d)(1), 254(c), 254(f)(3), 
and 254(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
Act of 1985 shall not apply to the Congressional Budget Office. 
SEC. 105. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND 
IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT OF 1974. 
(a) ADJUSTMENTS.—Section 314 of the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974 is amended as follows: 
(1) Strike subsection (a) and insert the following: 
‘‘(a) ADJUSTMENTS.—After the reporting of a bill or joint resolu-
tion or the offering of an amendment thereto or the submission 
2 USC 645. 
2 USC 902 note. 
2 USC 900 note. 
2 USC 904. 
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125 STAT. 247 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
of a conference report thereon, the chairman of the Committee 
on the Budget of the House of Representatives or the Senate may 
make appropriate budgetary adjustments of new budget authority 
and the outlays flowing therefrom in the same amount as required 
by section 251(b) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985.’’. 
(2) Strike subsections (b) and (e) and redesignate sub-
sections (c) and (d) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively. 
(3) At the end, add the following new subsections: 
‘‘(d) EMERGENCIES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.— (1) 
In the House of Representatives, if a reported bill or joint resolution, 
or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, contains a 
provision providing new budget authority and outlays or reducing 
revenue, and a designation of such provision as an emergency 
requirement pursuant to 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and 
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the chair of the Committee 
on the Budget of the House of Representatives shall not count 
the budgetary effects of such provision for purposes of title III 
and title IV of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the 
Rules of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(2)(A) In the House of Representatives, if a reported bill or 
joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, 
contains a provision providing new budget authority and outlays 
or reducing revenue, and a designation of such provision as an 
emergency pursuant to paragraph (1), the chair of the Committee 
on the Budget shall not count the budgetary effects of such provision 
for purposes of this title and title IV and the Rules of the House 
of Representatives. 
‘‘(B) In the House of Representatives, a proposal to strike 
a designation under subparagraph (A) shall be excluded from an 
evaluation of budgetary effects for purposes of this title and title 
IV and the Rules of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(C) An amendment offered under subparagraph (B) that also 
proposes to reduce each amount appropriated or otherwise made 
available by the pending measure that is not required to be appro-
priated or otherwise made available shall be in order at any point 
in the reading of the pending measure. 
‘‘(e) ENFORCEMENT OF DISCRETIONARY SPENDING CAPS.—It shall 
not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate 
to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or con-
ference report that would cause the discretionary spending limits 
as set forth in section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act to be exceeded.’’. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 3 of the Congressional Budget and 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(11) The terms ‘emergency’ and ‘unanticipated’ have the 
meanings given to such terms in section 250(c) of the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.’’. 
(c) APPEALS
FOR DISCRETIONARY CAPS.—Section 904(c)(2) of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by striking ‘‘and 
312(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘312(c), and 314(e)’’. 
SEC. 106. SENATE BUDGET ENFORCEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) For the purpose of enforcing the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974 through April 15, 2012, including section 300 of 
Applicability. 
2 USC 631 note. 
2 USC 621 note. 
2 USC 622. 
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125 STAT. 248 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
that Act, and enforcing budgetary points of order in prior 
concurrent resolutions on the budget, the allocations, aggre-
gates, and levels set in subsection (b)(1) shall apply in the 
Senate in the same manner as for a concurrent resolution 
on the budget for fiscal year 2012 with appropriate budgetary 
levels for fiscal years 2011 and 2013 through 2021. 
(2) For the purpose of enforcing the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974 after April 15, 2012, including section 300 of that 
Act, and enforcing budgetary points of order in prior concurrent 
resolutions on the budget, the allocations, aggregates, and levels 
set in subsection (b)(2) shall apply in the Senate in the same 
manner as for a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal 
year 2013 with appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 
2012 and 2014 through 2022. 
(b) COMMITTEE ALLOCATIONS, AGGREGATES, AND LEVELS.— 
(1) As soon as practicable after the date of enactment 
of this section, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget 
shall file— 
(A) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee 
allocations for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 consistent with 
the discretionary spending limits set forth in this Act for 
the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974; 
(B) for all committees other than the Committee on 
Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal years 2011, 
2012, 2012 through 2016, and 2012 through 2021 consistent 
with the Congressional Budget Office’s March 2011 baseline 
adjusted to account for the budgetary effects of this Act 
and legislation enacted prior to this Act but not included 
in the Congressional Budget Office’s March 2011 baseline, 
for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974; 
(C) aggregate spending levels for fiscal years 2011 
and 2012 and aggregate revenue levels for fiscal years 
2011, 2012, 2012 through 2016, 2012 through 2021 con-
sistent with the Congressional Budget Office’s March 2011 
baseline adjusted to account for the budgetary effects of 
this Act and legislation enacted prior to this Act but not 
included in the Congressional Budget Office’s March 2011 
baseline, and the discretionary spending limits set forth 
in this Act for the purpose of enforcing section 311 of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974; and 
(D) levels of Social Security revenues and outlays for 
fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2012 through 2016, and 2012 
through 2021 consistent with the Congressional Budget 
Office’s March 2011 baseline adjusted to account for the 
budgetary effects of this Act and legislation enacted prior 
to this Act but not included in the Congressional Budget 
Office’s March 2011 baseline, for the purpose of enforcing 
sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974. 
(2) Not later than April 15, 2012, the Chairman of the 
Committee on the Budget shall file— 
(A) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee 
allocations for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 consistent with 
the discretionary spending limits set forth in this Act for 
Deadline. 
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125 STAT. 249 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974; 
(B) for all committees other than the Committee on 
Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal years 2012, 
2013, 2013 through 2017, and 2013 through 2022 consistent 
with the Congressional Budget Office’s March 2012 baseline 
for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974; 
(C) aggregate spending levels for fiscal years 2012 
and 2013 and aggregate revenue levels for fiscal years 
2012, 2013, 2013–2017, and 2013–2022 consistent with the 
Congressional Budget Office’s March 2012 baseline and 
the discretionary spending limits set forth in this Act for 
the purpose of enforcing section 311 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974; and 
(D) levels of Social Security revenues and outlays for 
fiscal years 2012 and 2013, 2013–2017, and 2013–2022 
consistent with the Congressional Budget Office’s March 
2012 baseline budget for the purpose of enforcing sections 
302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 
(c) SENATE PAY-AS-YOU-GO SCORECARD.— 
(1) Effective on the date of enactment of this section, for 
the purpose of enforcing section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th 
Congress), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the 
Budget shall reduce any balances of direct spending and reve-
nues for any fiscal year to 0 (zero). 
(2) Not later than April 15, 2012, for the purpose of 
enforcing section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th Congress), 
the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Budget shall 
reduce any balances of direct spending and revenues for any 
fiscal year to 0 (zero). 
(3) Upon resetting the Senate paygo scorecard pursuant 
to paragraph (2), the Chairman shall publish a notification 
of such action in the Congressional Record. 
(d) FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS.— 
(1) The Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of 
the Senate may revise any allocations, aggregates, or levels 
set pursuant to this section to account for any subsequent 
adjustments to discretionary spending limits made pursuant 
to this Act. 
(2) With respect to any allocations, aggregates, or levels 
set or adjustments made pursuant to this section, sections 
412 through 414 of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress) shall 
remain in effect. 
(e) EXPIRATION.— 
(1) Subsections (a)(1), (b)(1), and (c)(1) shall expire if a 
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2012 is 
agreed to by the Senate and House of Representatives pursuant 
to section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 
(2) Subsections (a)(2), (b)(2), and (c)(2) shall expire if a 
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2013 is 
agreed to by the Senate and House of Representatives pursuant 
to section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 
Notification. 
Congressional 
Record. 
Deadline. 
Effective date. 
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125 STAT. 250 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
TITLE II—VOTE ON THE BALANCED 
BUDGET AMENDMENT 
SEC. 201. VOTE ON THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. 
After September 30, 2011, and not later than December 31, 
2011, the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively, shall 
vote on passage of a joint resolution, the title of which is as 
follows: ‘‘Joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment 
to the Constitution of the United States.’’. 
SEC. 202. CONSIDERATION BY THE OTHER HOUSE. 
(a) HOUSE CONSIDERATION.— 
(1) REFERRAL.—If the House receives a joint resolution 
described in section 201 from the Senate, such joint resolution 
shall be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. If the 
committee fails to report the joint resolution within five legisla-
tive days, it shall be in order to move that the House discharge 
the committee from further consideration of the joint resolution. 
Such a motion shall not be in order after the House has disposed 
of a motion to discharge the joint resolution. The previous 
question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its 
adoption without intervening motion except twenty minutes 
of debate equally divided and controlled by the proponent and 
an opponent. If such a motion is adopted, the House shall 
proceed immediately to consider the joint resolution in accord-
ance with paragraph (3). A motion to reconsider the vote by 
which the motion is disposed of shall not be in order. 
(2) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.—After the joint resolu-
tion has been referred to the appropriate calendar or the com-
mittee has been discharged (other than by motion) from its 
consideration, it shall be in order to move to proceed to consider 
the joint resolution in the House. Such a motion shall not 
be in order after the House has disposed of a motion to proceed 
with respect to the joint resolution. The previous question shall 
be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without 
intervening motion. A motion to reconsider the vote by which 
the motion is disposed of shall not be in order. 
(3) CONSIDERATION.—The joint resolution shall be consid-
ered as read. All points of order against the joint resolution 
and against its consideration are waived. The previous question 
shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to its 
passage without intervening motion except two hours of debate 
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an oppo-
nent and one motion to limit debate on the joint resolution. 
A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the joint resolu-
tion shall not be in order. 
(b) SENATE CONSIDERATION.—(1) If the Senate receives a joint 
resolution described in section 201 from the House of Representa-
tives, such joint resolution shall be referred to the appropriate 
committee of the Senate. If such committee has not reported the 
joint resolution at the close of the fifth session day after its receipt 
by the Senate, such committee shall be automatically discharged 
from further consideration of the joint resolution and it shall be 
placed on the appropriate calendar. 
(2) Consideration of the joint resolution and on all debatable 
motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
Time period. 
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125 STAT. 251 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
not more than 20 hours, which shall be divided equally between 
the majority and minority leaders or their designees. A motion 
further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment 
to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consider-
ation of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution 
is not in order. Any debatable motion or appeal is debatable for 
not to exceed 1 hour, to be divided equally between those favoring 
and those opposing the motion or appeal. All time used for consider-
ation of the joint resolution, including time used for quorum calls 
and voting, shall be counted against the total 20 hours of consider-
ation. 
(3) If the Senate has voted to proceed to a joint resolution, 
the vote on passage of the joint resolution shall be taken on or 
before the close of the seventh session day after such joint resolution 
has been reported or discharged or immediately following the 
conclusion of consideration of the joint resolution, and a single 
quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accord-
ance with the rules of the Senate. 
TITLE III—DEBT CEILING DISAPPROVAL 
PROCESS 
SEC. 301. DEBT CEILING DISAPPROVAL PROCESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 31 of subtitle III 
of title 31, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 3101(b), by striking ‘‘or otherwise’’ and 
inserting ‘‘or as provided by section 3101A or otherwise’’; and 
(2) by inserting after section 3101 the following: 
‘‘§ 3101A. Presidential modification of the debt ceiling 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) $900 BILLION.— 
‘‘(A) CERTIFICATION.—If, not later than December 31, 
2011, the President submits a written certification to Con-
gress that the President has determined that the debt 
subject to limit is within $100,000,000,000 of the limit 
in section 3101(b) and that further borrowing is required 
to meet existing commitments, the Secretary of the 
Treasury may exercise authority to borrow an additional 
$900,000,000,000, subject to the enactment of a joint resolu-
tion of disapproval enacted pursuant to this section. Upon 
submission of such certification, the limit on debt provided 
in section 3101(b) (referred to in this section as the ‘debt 
limit’) is increased by $400,000,000,000. 
‘‘(B) RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL.—Congress may con-
sider a joint resolution of disapproval of the authority 
under subparagraph (A) as provided in subsections (b) 
through (f). The joint resolution of disapproval considered 
under this section shall contain only the language provided 
in subsection (b)(2). If the time for disapproval has lapsed 
without enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval under 
this section, the debt limit is increased by an additional 
$500,000,000,000. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) CERTIFICATION.—If, after the debt limit is 
increased by $900,000,000,000 under paragraph (1), the 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
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125 STAT. 252 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
President submits a written certification to Congress that 
the President has determined that the debt subject to limit 
is within $100,000,000,000 of the limit in section 3101(b) 
and that further borrowing is required to meet existing 
commitments, the Secretary of the Treasury may, subject 
to the enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval enacted 
pursuant to this section, exercise authority to borrow an 
additional amount equal to— 
‘‘(i) $1,200,000,000,000, unless clause (ii) or (iii) 
applies; 
‘‘(ii) $1,500,000,000,000 if the Archivist of the 
United States has submitted to the States for their 
ratification a proposed amendment to the Constitution 
of the United States pursuant to a joint resolution 
entitled ‘Joint resolution proposing a balanced budget 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States’; 
or 
‘‘(iii) if a joint committee bill to achieve an amount 
greater than $1,200,000,000,000 in deficit reduction 
as provided in section 401(b)(3)(B)(i)(II) of the Budget 
Control Act of 2011 is enacted, an amount equal to 
the amount of that deficit reduction, but not greater 
than $1,500,000,000,000, unless clause (ii) applies. 
‘‘(B) RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL.—Congress may con-
sider a joint resolution of disapproval of the authority 
under subparagraph (A) as provided in subsections (b) 
through (f). The joint resolution of disapproval considered 
under this section shall contain only the language provided 
in subsection (b)(2). If the time for disapproval has lapsed 
without enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval under 
this section, the debt limit is increased by the amount 
authorized under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(b) JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except for the $400,000,000,000 increase 
in the debt limit provided by subsection (a)(1)(A), the debt 
limit may not be raised under this section if, within 50 calendar 
days after the date on which Congress receives a certification 
described in subsection (a)(1) or within 15 calendar days after 
Congress receives the certification described in subsection (a)(2) 
(regardless of whether Congress is in session), there is enacted 
into law a joint resolution disapproving the President’s exercise 
of authority with respect to such additional amount. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS OF JOINT RESOLUTION.—For the purpose of 
this section, the term ‘joint resolution’ means only a joint resolu-
tion— 
‘‘(A)(i) for the certification described in subsection 
(a)(1), that is introduced on September 6, 7, 8, or 9, 2011 
(or, if the Senate was not in session, the next calendar 
day on which the Senate is in session); and 
‘‘(ii) for the certification described in subsection (a)(2), 
that is introduced between the date the certification is 
received and 3 calendar days after that date; 
‘‘(B) which does not have a preamble; 
‘‘(C) the title of which is only as follows: ‘Joint resolu-
tion relating to the disapproval of the President’s exercise 
of authority to increase the debt limit, as submitted under 
section 3101A of title 31, United States Code, on 
Definition. 
Deadlines. 
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125 STAT. 253 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
llllll’ (with the blank containing the date of such 
submission); and 
‘‘(D) the matter after the resolving clause of which 
is only as follows: ‘That Congress disapproves of the Presi-
dent’s exercise of authority to increase the debt limit, as 
exercised pursuant to the certification under section 
3101A(a) of title 31, United States Code.’. 
‘‘(c) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION
IN HOUSE
OF REPRESENTA-
TIVES.— 
‘‘(1) 
RECONVENING.—Upon 
receipt 
of 
a 
certification 
described in subsection (a)(2), the Speaker, if the House would 
otherwise be adjourned, shall notify the Members of the House 
that, pursuant to this section, the House shall convene not 
later than the second calendar day after receipt of such certifi-
cation. 
‘‘(2) REPORTING
AND
DISCHARGE.—Any committee of the 
House of Representatives to which a joint resolution is referred 
shall report it to the House without amendment not later 
than 5 calendar days after the date of introduction of a joint 
resolution described in subsection (a). If a committee fails to 
report the joint resolution within that period, the committee 
shall be discharged from further consideration of the joint reso-
lution and the joint resolution shall be referred to the appro-
priate calendar. 
‘‘(3) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.—After each committee 
authorized to consider a joint resolution reports it to the House 
or has been discharged from its consideration, it shall be in 
order, not later than the sixth day after introduction of a 
joint resolution under subsection (a), to move to proceed to 
consider the joint resolution in the House. All points of order 
against the motion are waived. Such a motion shall not be 
in order after the House has disposed of a motion to proceed 
on a joint resolution addressing a particular submission. The 
previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion 
to its adoption without intervening motion. The motion shall 
not be debatable. A motion to reconsider the vote by which 
the motion is disposed of shall not be in order. 
‘‘(4) CONSIDERATION.—The joint resolution shall be consid-
ered as read. All points of order against the joint resolution 
and against its consideration are waived. The previous question 
shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to its 
passage without intervening motion except two hours of debate 
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an oppo-
nent. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the joint 
resolution shall not be in order. 
‘‘(d) EXPEDITED PROCEDURE IN SENATE.— 
‘‘(1) RECONVENING.—Upon receipt of a certification under 
subsection (a)(2), if the Senate has adjourned or recessed for 
more than 2 days, the majority leader of the Senate, after 
consultation with the minority leader of the Senate, shall notify 
the Members of the Senate that, pursuant to this section, 
the Senate shall convene not later than the second calendar 
day after receipt of such message. 
‘‘(2) PLACEMENT ON CALENDAR.—Upon introduction in the 
Senate, the joint resolution shall be immediately placed on 
the calendar. 
‘‘(3) FLOOR CONSIDERATION.— 
Notification. 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
Notification. 
Deadline. 
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125 STAT. 254 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding Rule XXII of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in order at any time 
during the period beginning on the day after the date 
on which Congress receives a certification under subsection 
(a) and, for the certification described in subsection (a)(1), 
ending on September 14, 2011, and for the certification 
described in subsection (a)(2), on the 6th day after the 
date on which Congress receives a certification under sub-
section (a) (even though a previous motion to the same 
effect has been disagreed to) to move to proceed to the 
consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order 
against the joint resolution (and against consideration of 
the joint resolution) are waived. The motion to proceed 
is not debatable. The motion is not subject to a motion 
to postpone. 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 
resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain 
the unfinished business until disposed of. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATION.—Consideration of the joint reso-
lution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connec-
tion therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, 
which shall be divided equally between the majority and 
minority leaders or their designees. A motion further to 
limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment 
to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to 
the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit 
the joint resolution is not in order. 
‘‘(C) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—If the Senate has voted to 
proceed to a joint resolution, the vote on passage of the 
joint resolution shall occur immediately following the 
conclusion of consideration of the joint resolution, and a 
single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if 
requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate. 
‘‘(D) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCEDURE.—Appeals 
from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application 
of the rules of the Senate, as the case may be, to the 
procedure relating to a joint resolution shall be decided 
without debate. 
‘‘(e) AMENDMENT NOT
IN ORDER.—A joint resolution of dis-
approval considered pursuant to this section shall not be subject 
to amendment in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. 
‘‘(f) COORDINATION WITH ACTION BY OTHER HOUSE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If, before passing the joint resolution, 
one House receives from the other a joint resolution— 
‘‘(A) the joint resolution of the other House shall not 
be referred to a committee; and 
‘‘(B) the procedure in the receiving House shall be 
the same as if no joint resolution had been received from 
the other House until the vote on passage, when the joint 
resolution received from the other House shall supplant 
the joint resolution of the receiving House. 
‘‘(2) TREATMENT OF JOINT RESOLUTION OF OTHER HOUSE.— 
If the Senate fails to introduce or consider a joint resolution 
under this section, the joint resolution of the House shall be 
entitled to expedited floor procedures under this section. 
Time period. 
Waiver. 
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125 STAT. 255 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(3) TREATMENT OF COMPANION MEASURES.—If, following 
passage of the joint resolution in the Senate, the Senate then 
receives the companion measure from the House of Representa-
tives, the companion measure shall not be debatable. 
‘‘(4) CONSIDERATION
AFTER
PASSAGE.—(A) If Congress 
passes a joint resolution, the period beginning on the date 
the President is presented with the joint resolution and ending 
on the date the President signs, allows to become law without 
his signature, or vetoes and returns the joint resolution (but 
excluding days when either House is not in session) shall be 
disregarded in computing the appropriate calendar day period 
described in subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(B) Debate on a veto message in the Senate under this 
section shall be 1 hour equally divided between the majority 
and minority leaders or their designees. 
‘‘(5) VETO OVERRIDE.—If within the appropriate calendar 
day period described in subsection (b)(1), Congress overrides 
a veto of the joint resolution with respect to authority exercised 
pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), the limit 
on debt provided in section 3101(b) shall not be raised, except 
for the $400,000,000,000 increase in the limit provided by sub-
section (a)(1)(A). 
‘‘(6) SEQUESTRATION.—(A) If within the 50-calendar day 
period described in subsection (b)(1), the President signs the 
joint resolution, the President allows the joint resolution to 
become law without his signature, or Congress overrides a 
veto of the joint resolution with respect to authority exercised 
pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a), there shall be 
a sequestration to reduce spending by $400,000,000,000. OMB 
shall implement the sequestration forthwith. 
‘‘(B) OMB shall implement each half of such sequestration 
in accordance with section 255, section 256, and subsections 
(c), (d), (e), and (f) of section 253 of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, and for the purpose 
of such implementation the term ‘excess deficit’ means the 
amount specified in subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(g) RULES OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE.—This 
subsection and subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) (other than 
paragraph (6)) are enacted by Congress— 
‘‘(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate 
and House of Representatives, respectively, 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 a joint resolution, 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.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 
31 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 3101 the following new item: 
‘‘3101A. Presidential modification of the debt ceiling.’’. 
Definition. 
Time period. 
President. 
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125 STAT. 256 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
SEC. 302. ENFORCEMENT OF BUDGET GOAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after section 251 
the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 251A. ENFORCEMENT OF BUDGET GOAL. 
‘‘Unless a joint committee bill achieving an amount greater 
than $1,200,000,000,000 in deficit reduction as provided in section 
401(b)(3)(B)(i)(II) of the Budget Control Act of 2011 is enacted 
by January 15, 2012, the discretionary spending limits listed in 
section 251(c) shall be revised, and discretionary appropriations 
and direct spending shall be reduced, as follows: 
‘‘(1) REVISED SECURITY CATEGORY; REVISED NONSECURITY 
CATEGORY.—(A) The term ‘revised security category’ means 
discretionary appropriations in budget function 050. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘revised nonsecurity category’ means discre-
tionary appropriations other than in budget function 050. 
‘‘(2) REVISED DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS.—The discre-
tionary spending limits for fiscal years 2013 through 2021 
under section 251(c) shall be replaced with the following: 
‘‘(A) For fiscal year 2013— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $546,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $501,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(B) For fiscal year 2014— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $556,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $510,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(C) For fiscal year 2015— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $566,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $520,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(D) For fiscal year 2016— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $577,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $530,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(E) For fiscal year 2017— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $590,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $541,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(F) For fiscal year 2018— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $603,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $553,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(G) For fiscal year 2019— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $616,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $566,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(H) For fiscal year 2020— 
Definitions. 
Deadline. 
2 USC 901a. 
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125 STAT. 257 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $630,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $578,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(I) For fiscal year 2021— 
‘‘(i) for the security category, $644,000,000,000 in 
budget authority; and 
‘‘(ii) for the nonsecurity category, $590,000,000,000 
in budget authority. 
‘‘(3) CALCULATION
OF
TOTAL
DEFICIT
REDUCTION.—OMB 
shall calculate the amount of the deficit reduction required 
by this section for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2021 
by— 
‘‘(A) starting with $1,200,000,000,000; 
‘‘(B) subtracting the amount of deficit reduction 
achieved by the enactment of a joint committee bill, as 
provided in section 401(b)(3)(B)(i)(II) of the Budget Control 
Act of 2011; 
‘‘(C) reducing the difference by 18 percent to account 
for debt service; and 
‘‘(D) dividing the result by 9. 
‘‘(4) ALLOCATION TO FUNCTIONS.—On January 2, 2013, for 
fiscal year 2013, and in its sequestration preview report for 
fiscal years 2014 through 2021 pursuant to section 254(c), OMB 
shall allocate half of the total reduction calculated pursuant 
to paragraph (3) for that year to discretionary appropriations 
and direct spending accounts within function 050 (defense func-
tion) and half to accounts in all other functions (nondefense 
functions). 
‘‘(5) DEFENSE FUNCTION REDUCTION.—OMB shall calculate 
the reductions to discretionary appropriations and direct 
spending for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2021 for defense 
function spending as follows: 
‘‘(A) DISCRETIONARY.—OMB shall calculate the reduc-
tion to discretionary appropriations by— 
‘‘(i) taking the total reduction for the defense func-
tion allocated for that year under paragraph (4); 
‘‘(ii) multiplying by the discretionary spending 
limit for the revised security category for that year; 
and 
‘‘(iii) dividing by the sum of the discretionary 
spending limit for the security category and OMB’s 
baseline estimate of nonexempt outlays for direct 
spending programs within the defense function for that 
year. 
‘‘(B) DIRECT
SPENDING.—OMB shall calculate the 
reduction to direct spending by taking the total reduction 
for the defense function required for that year under para-
graph (4) and subtracting the discretionary reduction cal-
culated pursuant to subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(6) NONDEFENSE FUNCTION REDUCTION.—OMB shall cal-
culate the reduction to discretionary appropriations and to 
direct spending for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2021 
for programs in nondefense functions as follows: 
‘‘(A) DISCRETIONARY.—OMB shall calculate the reduc-
tion to discretionary appropriations by— 
Effective date. 
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125 STAT. 258 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
‘‘(i) taking the total reduction for nondefense func-
tions allocated for that year under paragraph (4); 
‘‘(ii) multiplying by the discretionary spending 
limit for the revised nonsecurity category for that year; 
and 
‘‘(iii) dividing by the sum of the discretionary 
spending limit for the revised nonsecurity category 
and OMB’s baseline estimate of nonexempt outlays 
for direct spending programs in nondefense functions 
for that year. 
‘‘(B) DIRECT
SPENDING.—OMB shall calculate the 
reduction to direct spending programs by taking the total 
reduction for nondefense functions required for that year 
under paragraph (4) and subtracting the discretionary 
reduction calculated pursuant to subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(7) IMPLEMENTING DISCRETIONARY REDUCTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) FISCAL YEAR 2013.—On January 2, 2013, for fiscal 
year 2013, OMB shall calculate and the President shall 
order a sequestration, effective upon issuance and under 
the procedures set forth in section 253(f), to reduce each 
account within the security category or nonsecurity cat-
egory by a dollar amount calculated by multiplying the 
baseline level of budgetary resources in that account at 
that time by a uniform percentage necessary to achieve— 
‘‘(i) for the revised security category, an amount 
equal to the defense function discretionary reduction 
calculated pursuant to paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(ii) for the revised nonsecurity category, an 
amount equal to the nondefense function discretionary 
reduction calculated pursuant to paragraph (6). 
‘‘(B) FISCAL
YEARS
2014–2021.—On the date of the 
submission of its sequestration preview report for fiscal 
years 2014 through 2021 pursuant to section 254(c) for 
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2021, OMB shall reduce 
the discretionary spending limit— 
‘‘(i) for the revised security category by the amount 
of the defense function discretionary reduction cal-
culated pursuant to paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(ii) for the revised nonsecurity category by the 
amount of the nondefense function discretionary reduc-
tion calculated pursuant to paragraph (6). 
‘‘(8) IMPLEMENTING DIRECT SPENDING REDUCTIONS.—On the 
date specified in paragraph (4) during each applicable year, 
OMB shall prepare and the President shall order a sequestra-
tion, effective upon issuance, of nonexempt direct spending 
to achieve the direct spending reduction calculated pursuant 
to paragraphs (5) and (6). When implementing the sequestration 
of direct spending pursuant to this paragraph, OMB shall follow 
the procedures specified in section 6 of the Statutory Pay- 
As-You-Go Act of 2010, the exemptions specified in section 
255, and the special rules specified in section 256, except that 
the percentage reduction for the Medicare programs specified 
in section 256(d) shall not be more than 2 percent for a fiscal 
year. 
‘‘(9) ADJUSTMENT FOR MEDICARE.—If the percentage reduc-
tion for the Medicare programs would exceed 2 percent for 
a fiscal year in the absence of paragraph (8), OMB shall 
President. 
Sequestration 
order. 
Effective date. 
President. 
Sequestration 
order. 
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125 STAT. 259 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
increase the reduction for all other discretionary appropriations 
and direct spending under paragraph (6) by a uniform percent-
age to a level sufficient to achieve the reduction required by 
paragraph (6) in the non-defense function. 
‘‘(10) IMPLEMENTATION
OF
REDUCTIONS.—Any reductions 
imposed under this section shall be implemented in accordance 
with section 256(k). 
‘‘(11) REPORT.—On the dates specified in paragraph (4), 
OMB shall submit a report to Congress containing information 
about the calculations required under this section, the adjusted 
discretionary spending limits, a listing of the reductions 
required for each nonexempt direct spending account, and any 
other data and explanations that enhance public understanding 
of this title and actions taken under it.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents set forth 
in section 250(a) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 251 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 251A. Enforcement of budget goal.’’. 
TITLE IV—JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE 
ON DEFICIT REDUCTION 
SEC. 401. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this title: 
(1) JOINT COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘joint committee’’ means 
the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction established 
under subsection (b)(1). 
(2) JOINT COMMITTEE BILL.—The term ‘‘joint committee bill’’ 
means a bill consisting of the proposed legislative language 
of the joint committee recommended under subsection (b)(3)(B) 
and introduced under section 402(a). 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a joint select 
committee of Congress to be known as the ‘‘Joint Select Com-
mittee on Deficit Reduction’’. 
(2) GOAL.—The goal of the joint committee shall be to 
reduce the deficit by at least $1,500,000,000,000 over the period 
of fiscal years 2012 to 2021. 
(3) DUTIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.— 
(i) IMPROVING
THE
SHORT-TERM
AND
LONG-TERM 
FISCAL IMBALANCE.—The joint committee shall provide 
recommendations and legislative language that will 
significantly improve the short-term and long-term 
fiscal imbalance of the Federal Government. 
(ii) RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEES.—Not later 
than October 14, 2011, each committee of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate may transmit to 
the joint committee its recommendations for changes 
in law to reduce the deficit consistent with the goal 
described in paragraph (2) for the joint committee’s 
consideration. 
(B) REPORT, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND LEGISLATIVE LAN-
GUAGE.— 
Deadline. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
2 USC 900 note. 
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125 STAT. 260 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than November 23, 
2011, the joint committee shall vote on— 
(I) a report that contains a detailed statement 
of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
of the joint committee and the estimate of the 
Congressional Budget Office required by para-
graph (5)(D)(ii); and 
(II) proposed legislative language to carry out 
such recommendations as described in subclause 
(I), which shall include a statement of the deficit 
reduction achieved by the legislation over the 
period of fiscal years 2012 to 2021. 
Any change to the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives or the Standing Rules of the Senate included 
in the report or legislative language shall be considered 
to be merely advisory. 
(ii) APPROVAL OF REPORT AND LEGISLATIVE LAN-
GUAGE.—The report of the joint committee and the 
proposed legislative language described in clause (i) 
shall require the approval of a majority of the members 
of the joint committee. 
(iii) ADDITIONAL VIEWS.—A member of the joint 
committee who gives notice of an intention to file 
supplemental, minority, or additional views at the time 
of final joint committee vote on the approval of the 
report and legislative language under clause (ii) shall 
be entitled to 3 calendar days in which to file such 
views in writing with the staff director of the joint 
committee. Such views shall then be included in the 
joint committee report and printed in the same volume, 
or part thereof, and their inclusion shall be noted 
on the cover of the report. In the absence of timely 
notice, the joint committee report may be printed and 
transmitted immediately without such views. 
(iv) TRANSMISSION
OF
REPORT
AND
LEGISLATIVE 
LANGUAGE.—If the report and legislative language are 
approved by the joint committee pursuant to clause 
(ii), then not later than December 2, 2011, the joint 
committee shall submit the joint committee report and 
legislative language described in clause (i) to the Presi-
dent, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and the majority and minority 
Leaders of each House of Congress. 
(v) REPORT
AND
LEGISLATIVE
LANGUAGE
TO
BE 
MADE PUBLIC.—Upon the approval or disapproval of 
the joint committee report and legislative language 
pursuant to clause (ii), the joint committee shall 
promptly make the full report and legislative language, 
and a record of the vote, available to the public. 
(4) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The joint committee shall be com-
posed of 12 members appointed pursuant to subparagraph 
(B). 
(B) APPOINTMENT.—Members of the joint committee 
shall be appointed as follows: 
(i) The majority leader of the Senate shall appoint 
three members from among Members of the Senate. 
Time period. 
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125 STAT. 261 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
(ii) The minority leader of the Senate shall appoint 
three members from among Members of the Senate. 
(iii) The Speaker of the House of Representatives 
shall appoint three members from among Members 
of the House of Representatives. 
(iv) The minority leader of the House of Represent-
atives shall appoint three members from among Mem-
bers of the House of Representatives. 
(C) CO-CHAIRS.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—There shall be two Co-Chairs of 
the joint committee. The majority leader of the Senate 
shall appoint one Co-Chair from among the members 
of the joint committee. The Speaker of the House of 
Representatives shall appoint the second Co-Chair 
from among the members of the joint committee. The 
Co-Chairs shall be appointed not later than 14 calendar 
days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(ii) 
STAFF
DIRECTOR.—The 
Co-Chairs, 
acting 
jointly, shall hire the staff director of the joint com-
mittee. 
(D) DATE.—Members of the joint committee shall be 
appointed not later than 14 calendar days after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(E) PERIOD
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Members shall be 
appointed for the life of the joint committee. Any vacancy 
in the joint committee shall not affect its powers, but 
shall be filled not later than 14 calendar days after the 
date on which the vacancy occurs, in the same manner 
as the original designation was made. If a member of 
the joint committee ceases to be a Member of the House 
of Representatives or the Senate, as the case may be, 
the member is no longer a member of the joint committee 
and a vacancy shall exist. 
(5) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—To enable the joint committee to 
exercise its powers, functions, and duties, there are author-
ized to be disbursed by the Senate the actual and necessary 
expenses of the joint committee approved by the co-chairs, 
subject to the rules and regulations of the Senate. 
(B) EXPENSES.—In carrying out its functions, the joint 
committee is authorized to incur expenses in the same 
manner and under the same conditions as the Joint Eco-
nomic Committee is authorized by section 11 of Public 
Law 79–304 (15 U.S.C. 1024 (d)). 
(C) QUORUM.—Seven members of the joint committee 
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting, meeting, 
and holding hearings. 
(D) VOTING.— 
(i) PROXY
VOTING.—No proxy voting shall be 
allowed on behalf of the members of the joint com-
mittee. 
(ii) CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATES.— 
The Congressional Budget Office shall provide esti-
mates of the legislation (as described in paragraph 
(3)(B)) in accordance with sections 308(a) and 201(f) 
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 
639(a) and 601(f))(including estimates of the effect of 
Deadline. 
Appointments. 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
Appointments. 
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125 STAT. 262 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
interest payment on the debt). In addition, the 
Congressional Budget Office shall provide information 
on the budgetary effect of the legislation beyond the 
year 2021. The joint committee may not vote on any 
version of the report, recommendations, or legislative 
language unless such estimates are available for 
consideration by all members of the joint committee 
at least 48 hours prior to the vote as certified by 
the Co-Chairs. 
(E) MEETINGS.— 
(i) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 45 calendar 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the joint 
committee shall hold its first meeting. 
(ii) AGENDA.—The Co-Chairs of the joint committee 
shall provide an agenda to the joint committee mem-
bers not less than 48 hours in advance of any meeting. 
(F) HEARINGS.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The joint committee may, for the 
purpose of carrying out this section, hold such hearings, 
sit and act at such times and places, require attendance 
of witnesses and production of books, papers, and docu-
ments, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and 
administer such oaths as the joint committee considers 
advisable. 
(ii) HEARING PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF 
CO-CHAIRS.— 
(I) ANNOUNCEMENT.—The Co-Chairs of the 
joint committee shall make a public announcement 
of the date, place, time, and subject matter of 
any hearing to be conducted, not less than 7 days 
in advance of such hearing, unless the Co-Chairs 
determine that there is good cause to begin such 
hearing at an earlier date. 
(II) 
WRITTEN
STATEMENT.—A 
witness 
appearing before the joint committee shall file a 
written statement of proposed testimony at least 
2 calendar days before the appearance of the wit-
ness, unless the requirement is waived by the Co- 
Chairs, following their determination that there 
is good cause for failure to comply with such 
requirement. 
(G) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Upon written request of 
the Co-Chairs, a Federal agency shall provide technical 
assistance to the joint committee in order for the joint 
committee to carry out its duties. 
(c) STAFF OF JOINT COMMITTEE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Co-Chairs of the joint committee 
may jointly appoint and fix the compensation of staff as they 
deem necessary, within the guidelines for employees of the 
Senate and following all applicable rules and employment 
requirements of the Senate. 
(2) ETHICAL STANDARDS.—Members on the joint committee 
who serve in the House of Representatives shall be governed 
by the ethics rules and requirements of the House. Members 
of the Senate who serve on the joint committee and staff of 
the joint committee shall comply with the ethics rules of the 
Senate. 
Compliance. 
Deadlines. 
Deadlines. 
Deadline. 
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125 STAT. 263 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
(d) TERMINATION.—The joint committee shall terminate on 
January 31, 2012. 
SEC. 402. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF JOINT COMMITTEE REC-
OMMENDATIONS. 
(a) INTRODUCTION.—If approved by the majority required by 
section 401(b)(3)(B)(ii), the proposed legislative language submitted 
pursuant to section 401(b)(3)(B)(iv) shall be introduced in the Senate 
(by request) on the next day on which the Senate is in session 
by the majority leader of the Senate or by a Member of the Senate 
designated by the majority leader of the Senate and shall be intro-
duced in the House of Representatives (by request) on the next 
legislative day by the majority leader of the House or by a Member 
of the House designated by the majority leader of the House. 
(b) CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.— 
(1) REFERRAL
AND
REPORTING.—Any committee of the 
House of Representatives to which the joint committee bill 
is referred shall report it to the House without amendment 
not later than December 9, 2011. If a committee fails to report 
the joint committee bill within that period, it shall be in order 
to move that the House discharge the committee from further 
consideration of the bill. Such a motion shall not be in order 
after the last committee authorized to consider the bill reports 
it to the House or after the House has disposed of a motion 
to discharge the bill. The previous question shall be considered 
as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening 
motion except 20 minutes of debate equally divided and con-
trolled by the proponent and an opponent. If such a motion 
is adopted, the House shall proceed immediately to consider 
the joint committee bill in accordance with paragraphs (2) 
and (3). A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion 
is disposed of shall not be in order. 
(2) PROCEEDING TO CONSIDERATION.—After the last com-
mittee authorized to consider a joint committee bill reports 
it to the House or has been discharged (other than by motion) 
from its consideration, it shall be in order to move to proceed 
to consider the joint committee bill in the House. Such a motion 
shall not be in order after the House has disposed of a motion 
to proceed with respect to the joint committee bill. The previous 
question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its 
adoption without intervening motion. A motion to reconsider 
the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not be in 
order. 
(3) CONSIDERATION.—The joint committee bill shall be 
considered as read. All points of order against the joint com-
mittee bill and against its consideration are waived. The pre-
vious question shall be considered as ordered on the joint 
committee bill to its passage without intervening motion except 
2 hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the pro-
ponent and an opponent and one motion to limit debate on 
the joint committee bill. A motion to reconsider the vote on 
passage of the joint committee bill shall not be in order. 
(4) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—The vote on passage of the joint 
committee bill shall occur not later than December 23, 2011. 
(c) EXPEDITED PROCEDURE IN THE SENATE.— 
(1) COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION.—A joint committee bill 
introduced in the Senate under subsection (a) shall be jointly 
Reports. 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
Waiver. 
2 USC 900 note. 
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125 STAT. 264 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
referred to the committee or committees of jurisdiction, which 
committees shall report the bill without any revision and with 
a favorable recommendation, an unfavorable recommendation, 
or without recommendation, not later than December 9, 2011. 
If any committee fails to report the bill within that period, 
that committee shall be automatically discharged from consider-
ation of the bill, and the bill shall be placed on the appropriate 
calendar. 
(2) MOTION TO PROCEED.—Notwithstanding Rule XXII of 
the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in order, not later 
than 2 days of session after the date on which a joint committee 
bill is reported or discharged from all committees to which 
it was referred, for the majority leader of the Senate or the 
majority leader’s designee to move to proceed to the consider-
ation of the joint committee bill. It shall also be in order 
for any Member of the Senate to move to proceed to the consid-
eration of the joint committee bill at any time after the conclu-
sion of such 2-day period. A motion to proceed is in order 
even though a previous motion to the same effect has been 
disagreed to. All points of order against the motion to proceed 
to the joint committee bill are waived. The motion to proceed 
is not debatable. The motion is not subject to a motion to 
postpone. 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 joint committee bill is 
agreed to, the joint committee bill shall remain the unfinished 
business until disposed of. 
(3) CONSIDERATION.—All points of order against the joint 
committee bill and against consideration of the joint committee 
bill are waived. Consideration of the joint committee bill and 
of all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith 
shall not exceed a total of 30 hours which shall be divided 
equally between the Majority and Minority Leaders or their 
designees. A motion further to limit debate on the joint com-
mittee bill is in order, shall require an affirmative vote of 
three-fifths of the Members duly chosen and sworn, and is 
not debatable. Any debatable motion or appeal is debatable 
for not to exceed 1 hour, to be divided equally between those 
favoring and those opposing the motion or appeal. All time 
used for consideration of the joint committee bill, including 
time used for quorum calls and voting, shall be counted against 
the total 30 hours of consideration. 
(4) NO AMENDMENTS.—An amendment to the joint com-
mittee bill, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed 
to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit 
the joint committee bill, is not in order. 
(5) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—If the Senate has voted to proceed 
to the joint committee bill, the vote on passage of the joint 
committee bill shall occur immediately following the conclusion 
of the debate on a joint committee bill, and a single quorum 
call at the conclusion of the debate if requested. The vote 
on passage of the joint committee bill shall occur not later 
than December 23, 2011. 
(6) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCEDURE.—Appeals from 
the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the 
rules of the Senate, as the case may be, to the procedure 
Deadline. 
Waiver. 
Deadline. 
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125 STAT. 265 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
relating to a joint committee bill shall be decided without 
debate. 
(d) AMENDMENT.—The joint committee bill shall not be subject 
to amendment in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. 
(e) CONSIDERATION BY THE OTHER HOUSE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If, before passing the joint committee 
bill, one House receives from the other a joint committee bill— 
(A) the joint committee bill of the other House shall 
not be referred to a committee; and 
(B) the procedure in the receiving House shall be the 
same as if no joint committee bill had been received from 
the other House until the vote on passage, when the joint 
committee bill received from the other House shall supplant 
the joint committee bill of the receiving House. 
(2) REVENUE MEASURE.—This subsection shall not apply 
to the House of Representatives if the joint committee bill 
received from the Senate is a revenue measure. 
(f) RULES TO COORDINATE ACTION WITH OTHER HOUSE.— 
(1) TREATMENT
OF
JOINT
COMMITTEE
BILL
OF
OTHER 
HOUSE.—If the Senate fails to introduce or consider a joint 
committee bill under this section, the joint committee bill of 
the House shall be entitled to expedited floor procedures under 
this section. 
(2) TREATMENT OF COMPANION MEASURES IN THE SENATE.— 
If following passage of the joint committee bill in the Senate, 
the Senate then receives the joint committee bill from the 
House of Representatives, the House-passed joint committee 
bill shall not be debatable. The vote on passage of the joint 
committee bill in the Senate shall be considered to be the 
vote on passage of the joint committee bill received from the 
House of Representatives. 
(3) VETOES.—If the President vetoes the joint committee 
bill, debate on a veto message in the Senate under this section 
shall be 1 hour equally divided between the majority and 
minority leaders or their designees. 
(g) LOSS OF PRIVILEGE.—The provisions of this section shall 
cease to apply to the joint committee bill if— 
(1) the joint committee fails to vote on the report or pro-
posed legislative language required under section 401(b)(3)(B)(i) 
not later than November 23, 2011; or 
(2) the joint committee bill does not pass both Houses 
not later than December 23, 2011. 
SEC. 403. FUNDING. 
Funding for the joint committee shall be derived in equal por-
tions from— 
(1) the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives; 
and 
(2) the contingent fund of the Senate from the appropria-
tions account ‘‘Miscellaneous Items’’, subject to the rules and 
regulations of the Senate. 
SEC. 404. RULEMAKING. 
The provisions of this title are enacted by Congress— 
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate, respectively, and as such 
they shall be considered as part of the rules of each House, 
respectively, or of that House to which they specifically apply, 
2 USC 900 note. 
2 USC 900 note. 
Deadlines. 
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125 STAT. 266 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the extent 
that they are inconsistent therewith; and 
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either 
House to change such rules (so far as relating to such House) 
at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent 
as in the case of any other rule of such House. 
TITLE V—PELL GRANT AND STUDENT 
LOAN PROGRAM CHANGES 
SEC. 501. FEDERAL PELL GRANTS. 
Section 401(b)(7)(A)(iv) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1070a(b)(7)(A)(iv)) is amended— 
(1) in subclause (II), by striking ‘‘$3,183,000,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$13,183,000,000’’; and 
(2) in subclause (III), by striking ‘‘$0’’ and inserting 
‘‘$7,000,000,000’’. 
SEC. 502. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE INTEREST SUB-
SIDIZED LOANS TO GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STU-
DENTS. 
Section 455(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1087e(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(3) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE INTEREST SUB-
SIDIZED LOANS TO GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B) and 
notwithstanding any provision of this part or part B, for 
any period of instruction beginning on or after July 1, 
2012— 
‘‘(i) a graduate or professional student shall not 
be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Stafford loan 
under this part; and 
‘‘(ii) the maximum annual amount of Federal 
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loans such a student may 
borrow in any academic year (as defined in section 
481(a)(2)) or its equivalent shall be the maximum 
annual amount for such student determined under sec-
tion 428H, plus an amount equal to the amount of 
Federal Direct Stafford loans the student would have 
received in the absence of this subparagraph. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
to an individual enrolled in course work specified in para-
graph (3)(B) or (4)(B) of section 484(b).’’. 
SEC. 503. TERMINATION OF DIRECT LOAN REPAYMENT INCENTIVES. 
Section 455(b)(8) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1087e(b)(8)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by amending the header to read as follows: ‘‘(A) 
INCENTIVES FOR LOANS DISBURSED BEFORE JULY 1, 2012.— 
’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘with respect to loans for which the 
first disbursement of principal is made before July 1, 2012,’’ 
after ‘‘of this part’’; 
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125 STAT. 267 
PUBLIC LAW 112–25—AUG. 2, 2011 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 365: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 157 (2011): 
Feb. 17, considered and passed Senate. 
Aug. 1, considered and passed House, amended. 
Aug. 2, Senate concurred in House amendment. 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘with respect to loans 
for which the first disbursement of principal is made before 
July 1, 2012’’ after ‘‘repayment incentives’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) NO REPAYMENT INCENTIVES FOR NEW LOANS DIS-
BURSED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2012.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this part, the Secretary is prohibited 
from authorizing or providing any repayment incentive not 
otherwise authorized under this part to encourage on-time 
repayment of a loan under this part for which the first 
disbursement of principal is made on or after July 1, 2012, 
including any reduction in the interest or origination fee 
rate paid by a borrower of such a loan, except that the 
Secretary may provide for an interest rate reduction for 
a borrower who agrees to have payments on such a loan 
automatically electronically debited from a bank account.’’. 
SEC. 504. INAPPLICABILITY OF TITLE IV NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING 
AND MASTER CALENDAR EXCEPTION. 
Sections 482(c) and 492 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1089(c), 1098a) shall not apply to the amendments made 
by this title, or to any regulations promulgated under those amend-
ments. 
Approved August 2, 2011. 
20 USC 1089 
note. 
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