[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3655 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3655

To establish a Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action, to 
assure the economic security of the United States, and to expand future 
                prosperity and growth for all Americans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 25, 2007

 Mr. Cooper (for himself and Mr. Wolf) introduced the following bill; 
 which was referred to the Committee on the Budget, 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 committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish a Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action, to 
assure the economic security of the United States, and to expand future 
                prosperity and growth for all Americans.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Bipartisan Task Force for 
Responsible Fiscal Action Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.

    Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

      ``establishment of task force for responsible fiscal action

    ``Sec. 316.  (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Task force.--The term `Task Force' means the 
        Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action established 
        under subsection (b)(1).
            ``(2) Task force bill.--The term `Task Force bill' means a 
        bill consisting of the proposed legislative language of the 
        Task Force introduced under subsection (c)(1).
            ``(3) Fiscal imbalance.--The term `fiscal imbalance' means 
        the gap between the projected revenues and expenditures of the 
        Federal Government.
            ``(4) Medicare.--The term `Medicare' means the program 
        established under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
            ``(5) Social security.--The term `Social Security' means 
        the program of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance 
        benefits established under title II of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.).
    ``(b) Establishment of Task Force.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a task force to 
        be known as the `Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal 
        Action'.
            ``(2) Purposes.--
                    ``(A) Review.--The Task Force shall review--
                            ``(i) analyses of the current and long-term 
                        actuarial financial condition of the Federal 
                        Government, including the Social Security and 
                        Medicare programs; and
                            ``(ii) the gap between the projected 
                        revenues and expenditures of the Federal 
                        Government, including the revenues and 
                        expenditures attributable to the Social 
                        Security and Medicare programs.
                    ``(B) Identify factors.--The Task Force shall 
                identify factors that affect the long-term fiscal 
                balance of the Federal Government, including the fiscal 
                balance of the Social Security and Medicare programs.
                    ``(C) Analyze potential courses of action.--The 
                Task Force shall analyze potential courses of action to 
                address factors that affect the long-term fiscal 
                balance of the Federal Government, including the fiscal 
                balance of the Social Security and Medicare programs.
                    ``(D) Provide recommendations and legislative 
                language.--The Task Force shall provide recommendations 
                and legislative language that will significantly 
                improve the long-term fiscal balance of the Federal 
                Government, including the fiscal balance of the Social 
                Security and Medicare programs.
            ``(3) Duties.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Task Force shall address the 
                Nation's long-term fiscal imbalances, including such 
                imbalances attributable to the Medicare and Social 
                Security programs and the gap between projected 
                revenues and expenditures under such programs, 
                consistent with the purposes described in paragraph (2) 
                and shall submit the report and recommendations 
                required under subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Report, recommendations, and legislative 
                language.--
                            ``(i) In general.--On December 9, 2008, the 
                        Task Force shall submit to the President and 
                        Congress a report on the long-term fiscal 
                        imbalances of the Federal Government, including 
                        such imbalances attributable to the Social 
                        Security and Medicare programs, that contains--
                                    ``(I) a detailed statement of the 
                                findings, conclusions, and 
                                recommendations of the Task Force 
                                (including proposed legislative 
                                language to carry out such 
                                recommendations); and
                                    ``(II) the assumptions, scenarios, 
                                and alternatives considered in reaching 
                                such findings, conclusions, and 
                                recommendations.
                            ``(ii) Approval of report.--The report of 
                        the Task Force submitted under clause (i) shall 
                        require the approval of not less than \3/4\ of 
                        the 16 members of the Task Force.
            ``(4) Membership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Task Force shall be composed 
                of 16 members designated pursuant to subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Designation.--Members of the Task Force shall 
                be designated as follows:
                            ``(i) The President shall designate 2 
                        members, one of whom shall be the Secretary of 
                        the Treasury, who shall be the Chairperson of 
                        the Task Force, and the other of whom shall be 
                        an officer or employee of the executive branch.
                            ``(ii) The majority leader of the Senate 
                        shall designate 4 members from among Members of 
                        the Senate.
                            ``(iii) The minority leader of the Senate 
                        shall designate 3 members from among Members of 
                        the Senate.
                            ``(iv) The Speaker of the House of 
                        Representatives shall designate 4 members from 
                        among Members of the House of Representatives.
                            ``(v) The minority leader of the House of 
                        Representatives shall designate 3 members from 
                        among Members of the House of Representatives.
                    ``(C) Date.--Members of the Task Force shall be 
                designated by not later than 30 days after the date of 
                enactment of this section.
                    ``(D) Period of designation.--Members shall be 
                designated for the life of the Task Force. Any vacancy 
                in the Task Force shall not affect its powers, but 
                shall be filled not later than 14 days after the date 
                on which the vacancy occurs in the same manner as the 
                original designation.
                    ``(E) Termination.--The Task Force shall terminate 
                on the date that is 90 days after the Task Force 
                submits the report required under paragraph (3)(B).
            ``(5) Administration.--
                    ``(A) Quorum.--Twelve members of the Task Force 
                shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting, but a 
                lesser number may meet and hold hearings.
                    ``(B) Voting.--
                            ``(i) Proxy voting.--No proxy voting shall 
                        be allowed on behalf of members of the Task 
                        Force.
                            ``(ii) Policy matters.--The Task Force may 
                        not vote on policy matters until after November 
                        4, 2008.
                    ``(C) Meetings.--
                            ``(i) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 
                        days after the date on which all members of the 
                        Task Force have been designated, the Task Force 
                        shall hold its first meeting.
                            ``(ii) Meetings.--The Task Force shall meet 
                        at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of 
                        its members.
                    ``(D) Hearings.--Subject to subparagraph (G), the 
                Task Force may, for the purpose of carrying out this 
                section, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times 
                and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, 
                and administer such oaths the Task Force considers 
                advisable.
                    ``(E) Compensation.--Members of the Task Force 
                shall serve without any additional compensation for 
                their work on the Task Force. However, members may be 
                allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
                subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 
                of title 5, United States Code, while away from their 
                homes or regular places of business in performance of 
                services for the Task Force.
                    ``(F) Technical assistance.--Upon the request of 
                any member of the Task Force, a Federal agency shall 
                provide technical assistance to all members of the Task 
                Force in order for the Task Force to carry out its 
                duties.
                    ``(G) Information.--
                            ``(i) Resources.--Any member of the Task 
                        Force shall have authority to access materials, 
                        resources, statistical data, and other 
                        information the Task Force determines to be 
                        necessary to carry out its duties from the 
                        Library of Congress, the Chief Actuary of the 
                        Social Security Administration, the Chief 
                        Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
                        Services, the Congressional Budget Office, and 
                        other agencies and instrumentalities of the 
                        executive and legislative branches of the 
                        Federal Government (including the Department of 
                        the Treasury, the Department of Health and 
                        Human Services, the Office of Management and 
                        Budget, the Government Accountability Office, 
                        and the Joint Committee on Taxation). Each 
                        agency or instrumentality shall, to the extent 
                        permitted by law, furnish such information to 
                        the Task Force upon written request by a member 
                        of the Task Force.
                            ``(ii) Receipt, handling, storage, and 
                        dissemination of information.--Information 
                        shall only be received, handled, stored, and 
                        disseminated by members of the Task Force and 
                        its staff consistent with all applicable 
                        statutes, regulations, and Executive orders.
                            ``(iii) Limitation of access to tax 
                        information.--Information accessed under this 
                        subparagraph shall not include tax data from 
                        the United States Internal Revenue Service, the 
                        release of which would otherwise be in 
                        violation of law.
                    ``(H) Postal services.--The Task Force may use the 
                United States mails in the same manner and under the 
                same conditions as other departments and agencies of 
                the Federal Government.
            ``(6) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the 
        Task Force.
    ``(c) Expedited Consideration of Task Force Recommendations.--
            ``(1) Introduction.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The proposed legislative 
                language contained in the report submitted pursuant to 
                subsection (b)(3)(B) shall be introduced within the 
                first 10 calendar days of the 111th Congress (or on the 
                first session day thereafter) in the House of 
                Representatives and in the Senate by the majority 
                leader of each House of Congress, for himself, the 
                minority leader of each House of Congress, for himself, 
                or any member of the House designated by the majority 
                leader or minority leader. If the Task Force bill is 
                not introduced in accordance with the preceding 
                sentence in either House of Congress, then any Member 
                of that House may introduce the Task Force bill on any 
                day thereafter. Upon introduction, the Task Force bill 
                shall be referred to the appropriate committees under 
                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Committee consideration.--A Task Force bill 
                introduced in either House of Congress shall be jointly 
                referred to the committee or committees of jurisdiction 
                and the Committee on the Budget of that House, which 
                committees shall report the bill without any revision 
                and with a favorable recommendation, an unfavorable 
                recommendation, or without recommendation, not later 
                than 10 calendar days after the date of introduction of 
                the bill in that House. If any committee fails to 
                report the bill within that period, that committee 
                shall be automatically discharged from consideration of 
                the bill, and the bill shall be placed on the 
                appropriate calendar.
            ``(2) Expedited procedure.--
                    ``(A) In the house of representatives.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 5 days of 
                        session after the date on which a Task Force 
                        bill is reported or discharged from all 
                        committees to which it was referred, the 
                        majority leader of the House of Representatives 
                        or the majority leader's designee shall move to 
                        proceed to the consideration of the Task Force 
                        bill. It shall also be in order for any Member 
                        of the House of Representatives to move to 
                        proceed to the consideration of the Task Force 
                        bill at any time after the conclusion of such 
                        5-day period.
                            ``(ii) Motion to proceed.--A motion to 
                        proceed to the consideration of the Task Force 
                        bill is highly privileged in the House of 
                        Representatives and is not debatable. The 
                        motion is not subject to amendment or to a 
                        motion to postpone consideration of the Task 
                        Force bill. A motion to proceed to the 
                        consideration of other business shall not be in 
                        order. A motion to reconsider the vote by which 
                        the motion to proceed is agreed to or not 
                        agreed to shall not be in order. If the motion 
                        to proceed is agreed to, the House of 
                        Representatives shall immediately proceed to 
                        consideration of the Task Force bill without 
                        intervening motion, order, or other business, 
                        and the Task Force bill shall remain the 
                        unfinished business of the House of 
                        Representatives until disposed of.
                            ``(iii) Limits on debate.--Debate in the 
                        House of Representatives on a Task Force bill 
                        under this paragraph shall not exceed a total 
                        of 100 hours, which shall be divided equally 
                        between those favoring and those opposing the 
                        bill. A motion further to limit debate is in 
                        order and shall not be debatable. It shall not 
                        be in order to move to recommit a Task Force 
                        bill under this paragraph or to move to 
                        reconsider the vote by which the bill is agreed 
                        to or disagreed to.
                            ``(iv) Appeals.--Appeals from decisions of 
                        the chair relating to the application of the 
                        Rules of the House of Representatives to the 
                        procedure relating to a Task Force bill shall 
                        be decided without debate.
                            ``(v) Application of house rules.--Except 
                        to the extent specifically provided in this 
                        paragraph, consideration of a Task Force bill 
                        shall be governed by the Rules of the House of 
                        Representatives. It shall not be in order in 
                        the House of Representatives to consider any 
                        Task Force bill introduced pursuant to the 
                        provisions of this subsection under a 
                        suspension of the rules or under a special 
                        rule.
                            ``(vi) No amendments.--No amendment to the 
                        Task Force bill shall be in order in the House 
                        of Representatives.
                            ``(vii) Vote on final passage.--In the 
                        House of Representatives, immediately following 
                        the conclusion of consideration of the Task 
                        Force bill, the vote on final passage of the 
                        Task Force bill shall occur without any 
                        intervening action or motion, requiring an 
                        affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the Members, duly 
                        chosen and sworn. If the Task Force bill is 
                        passed, the Clerk of the House of 
                        Representatives shall cause the bill to be 
                        transmitted to the Senate before the close of 
                        the next day of session of the House.
                    ``(B) In the senate.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 5 days of 
                        session after the date on which a Task Force 
                        bill is reported or discharged from all 
                        committees to which it was referred, the 
                        majority leader of the Senate or the majority 
                        leader's designee shall move to proceed to the 
                        consideration of the Task Force bill. It shall 
                        also be in order for any Member of the Senate 
                        to move to proceed to the consideration of the 
                        Task Force bill at any time after the 
                        conclusion of such 5-day period.
                            ``(ii) Motion to proceed.--A motion to 
                        proceed to the consideration of the Task Force 
                        bill is privileged in the Senate and is not 
                        debatable. The motion is not subject to 
                        amendment or to a motion to postpone 
                        consideration of the Task Force bill. A motion 
                        to proceed to consideration of the Task Force 
                        bill may be made even though a previous motion 
                        to the same effect has been disagreed to. A 
                        motion to proceed to the consideration of other 
                        business shall not be in order. A motion to 
                        reconsider the vote by which the motion to 
                        proceed is agreed to or not agreed to shall not 
                        be in order. If the motion to proceed is agreed 
                        to, the Senate shall immediately proceed to 
                        consideration of the Task Force bill without 
                        intervening motion, order, or other business, 
                        and the Task Force bill shall remain the 
                        unfinished business of the Senate until 
                        disposed of.
                            ``(iii) Limits on debate.--In the Senate, 
                        consideration of the Task Force bill and on all 
                        debatable motions and appeals in connection 
                        therewith shall not exceed a total of 100 
                        hours, which shall be divided equally between 
                        those favoring and those opposing the Task 
                        Force bill. A motion further to limit debate on 
                        the Task Force bill is in order 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 Task Force bill, 
                        including time used for quorum calls and 
                        voting, shall be counted against the total 100 
                        hours of consideration.
                            ``(iv) No amendments.--No amendment to the 
                        Task Force bill shall be in order in the 
                        Senate.
                            ``(v) Motion to recommit.--A motion to 
                        recommit a Task Force bill shall not be in 
                        order under this paragraph.
                            ``(vi) Vote on final passage.--In the 
                        Senate, immediately following the conclusion of 
                        consideration of the Task Force bill and a 
                        request to establish the presence of a quorum, 
                        the vote on final passage of the Task Force 
                        bill shall occur and shall require an 
                        affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the Members, duly 
                        chosen and sworn.
                            ``(vii) Other motions not in order.--A 
                        motion to postpone or a motion to proceed to 
                        the consideration of other business is not in 
                        order in the Senate. A motion to reconsider the 
                        vote by which the Task Force bill is agreed to 
                        or not agreed to is not in order in the Senate.
                            ``(viii) Consideration of the house bill.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--If the Senate 
                                has received the House companion bill 
                                to the Task Force bill introduced in 
                                the Senate prior to the vote required 
                                under clause (vi) and the House 
                                companion bill is identical to the Task 
                                Force bill introduced in the Senate, 
                                then the Senate shall consider, and the 
                                vote under clause (vi) shall occur on, 
                                the House companion bill.
                                    ``(II) Procedure after vote on 
                                senate bill.--If the Senate votes, 
                                pursuant to clause (vi), on the bill 
                                introduced in the Senate, the Senate 
                                bill shall be held pending receipt of 
                                the House message on the bill. Upon 
                                receipt of the House companion bill, if 
                                the House bill is identical to the 
                                Senate bill, the House bill shall be 
                                deemed to be considered, read for the 
                                third time, and the vote on passage of 
                                the Senate bill shall be considered to 
                                be the vote on the bill received from 
                                the House.
                    ``(C) No suspension.--No motion to suspend the 
                application of this paragraph shall be in order in the 
                Senate or in the House of Representatives.''.
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