[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4979 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4979
To establish a process to assure the long-term fiscal stability of the
Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal
Disability Insurance Trust Fund.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 14, 2026
Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Tillis, Mr. King,
Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Armstrong) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a process to assure the long-term fiscal stability of the
Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal
Disability Insurance Trust Fund.
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 ``Protecting Retirement Opportunities
and Maintaining Income Security for Everyone Act of 2026'' or the
``PROMISE Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCESS TO ASSURE SOCIAL SECURITY SOLVENCY.
Title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) is
amended by inserting the following after section 201:
``establishment of process to assure social security solvency
``Sec. 201A. (a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Long-term solvency.--The term `long-term solvency'
means the financial ability of the Federal Old-Age and
Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability
Insurance Trust Fund to pay 100 percent of scheduled benefits
for a period of at least 50 years that begins on the date of
enactment of this section.
``(2) Social security bill.--The term `Social Security
bill' means a bill introduced pursuant to subsection
(c)(1)(B)(i) or subsection (c)(1)(B)(ii).
``(b) Social Security Advisory Board.--
``(1) In general.--The Social Security Advisory Board
(established under section 703) shall develop recommendations
and legislative language to achieve long-term solvency for the
Trust Funds. Such legislative language shall not include
provisions that do not change outlays, revenues, or financing
with respect to the old-age, survivors, and disability
insurance program established under this title, the
supplemental security income program under title XVI, or the
related provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(2) Request for information.--The Social Security
Advisory Board shall, for the purpose of carrying out this
section, issue a request for information to the public
regarding ways to achieve long-term solvency for the Trust
Funds.
``(3) Public listening sessions.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Social Security Advisory Board shall, for the purpose
of carrying out this subsection, hold such public
listening sessions, sit and act at such times and
places, require attendance of stakeholders and
production of books, papers, and documents, take such
testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such
oaths as the Social Security Advisory Board considers
advisable.
``(B) Procedures.--
``(i) Announcement.--The Social Security
Advisory Board shall make a public announcement
of the date, place, time, and subject matter of
any public listening session to be conducted
under this subparagraph not later than 7
calendar days before the date of the public
listening session, unless the Chair of the
Social Security Advisory Board determines that
there is good cause to begin such public
listening session on an earlier date.
``(ii) Written statement.--A stakeholder
appearing before the Social Security Advisory
Board shall file a written statement of the
proposed testimony of the stakeholder not later
than 2 calendar days before the date of the
appearance of the witness, unless the Chair of
the Social Security Advisory Board--
``(I) determines that there is good
cause for the stakeholder to not file
the written statement; and
``(II) waives the requirement that
the stakeholder file the written
statement.
``(4) Technical assistance and consultation.--Upon written
request from the Chair of the Social Security Advisory Board,
the head of a Federal agency (including a legislative branch
agency) shall provide technical assistance to, and consult
with, the Social Security Advisory Board in order for the
Social Security Advisory Board to carry out its duties under
this subsection.
``(5) Assistance from federal agencies.--Upon request from
the Chair of the Social Security Advisory Board--
``(A) the Architect of the Capitol shall provide
suitable space to house the operations of the Social
Security Advisory Board to carry out its duties under
this subsection; and
``(B) the Administrator of General Services shall
provide the administrative support services and
security services necessary for the Social Security
Advisory Board to carry out its duties under this
subsection.
``(6) Temporary exemption.--Members of the Social Security
Advisory Board may, for the purpose of carrying out this
subsection, work more than 130 days during any period of 365
consecutive days on a full-time basis to carry out their duties
under this subsection without such work days being counted
against the 130 day limitation under section 202 of title 18,
United States Code. The exemption provided under this paragraph
shall terminate after the Social Security Advisory Board
submits a report to Congress under this subsection.
``(7) Report.--Not later than September 14, 2026, the
Social Security Advisory Board shall submit to Congress, and
make available to the public, a report that contains detailed
recommendations and proposed legislative language that meets
the requirements described in paragraph (1).
``(c) Consideration of a Social Security Bill.--
``(1) Introduction.--
``(A) Reconvening.--
``(i) In the senate.--
``(I) Convening.--Upon receipt of
the report under subsection (b), if the
Senate has adjourned or recessed for
more than 2 calendar 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 5 calendar days after
receipt of such report.
``(II) Adjourning.--Subject to
paragraph (3)(A)(vi), no concurrent
resolution providing for the
adjournment of the Senate for more than
3 calendar days shall be in order until
the Senate votes on passage of the
Social Security bill under paragraph
(3)(A)(v).
``(ii) In the house of representatives.--
``(I) Convening.--Upon receipt of
the report under subsection (b), if the
House of Representatives has adjourned
or recessed for more than 2 calendar
days, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, after consultation
with the Minority Leader of the House
of Representatives, shall notify the
Members of the House that, pursuant to
this section, the House shall convene
not later than 5 calendar days after
receipt of such report.
``(II) Adjourning.--Subject to
paragraph (3)(B)(ix), no concurrent
resolution providing for the
adjournment of the House of
Representatives for more than 3
calendar days shall be in order until
the House votes on passage of the
Social Security bill under paragraph
(3)(B)(vii).
``(B) Introduction of social security bill.--
``(i) Social security advisory board
legislative language.--The proposed legislative
language contained in the report submitted
pursuant to subsection (b), upon receipt by the
Congress, shall (by request) be introduced not
later than September 17, 2026, or the first day
thereafter on which the Senate and House of
Representatives are in session, by the Majority
Leader of each House of Congress, for himself,
or any member of either House designated by the
Majority Leader. If the Social Security bill is
not introduced in accordance with the preceding
sentence in either House of Congress, then any
Member of that House may introduce the Social
Security bill on any day thereafter. Upon
introduction, the Social Security bill shall be
referred to the appropriate committees under
subparagraph (C).
``(ii) Members of congress legislative
language.--
``(I) In general.--In the case that
the Social Security Advisory Board does
not submit proposed legislative
language pursuant to subsection (b),
not later than September 17, 2026, the
Majority Leader of each House of
Congress, for himself, or any Member of
either House designated by the Majority
Leader shall (by request) introduce
legislative language subject to
subclause (II). If legislative language
is not introduced in accordance with
the preceding sentence in either House
of Congress, then any Member of that
House may introduce legislative
language subject to subclause (II) on
any day thereafter. Upon introduction,
the legislative language shall be
referred to the appropriate committees
under subparagraph (C).
``(II) Requirements.--
``(aa) In the senate.--In
the Senate, such legislative
language shall--
``(AA) achieve
long-term solvency for
the Trust Funds, as
certified by the
Chairman of the
Committee on Finance
(in consultation with
the Chief Actuary of
the Social Security
Administration);
``(BB) not be
introduced with less
than 1 Member
associating with the
majority party and not
less than 1 Member
associating with the
minority party; and
``(CC) not include
provisions that do not
include changes to the
outlays, revenues, or
financing with respect
to the old-age,
survivors, and
disability insurance
program established
under this title, the
supplemental security
income program under
title XVI, or the
related provisions in
the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
``(bb) In the house of
representatives.--In the House
of Representatives, such
legislative language shall--
``(AA) achieve
long-term solvency for
the Trust Funds as
certified by the
Chairman of the
Committee on Ways and
Means (in consultation
with the Chief Actuary
of the Social Security
Administration);
``(BB) not be
introduced with less
than 1 Member
associating with the
majority party and not
less than 1 Member
associating with the
minority party; and
``(CC) not include
provisions that do not
include changes to the
outlays, revenues, or
financing with respect
to the old-age,
survivors, and
disability insurance
program established
under this title, the
supplemental security
income program under
title XVI, or the
related provisions in
the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
``(C) Committee consideration.--
``(i) In the senate.--
``(I) In general.--A Social
Security bill introduced in the Senate
shall be referred to the Committee on
Finance (in this clause, referred to as
the `Committee').
``(II) Amendments.--It shall be in
order for the Committee to consider and
adopt amendments to the Social Security
bill. It shall not be in order for the
Committee to consider or adopt any
amendment to the Social Security bill
that causes the bill to not achieve
long-term solvency for the Trust Funds
or does not change outlays, revenues,
or financing with respect to the old-
age, survivors, and disability
insurance program established under
this title, the supplemental security
income program under title XVI, or the
related provisions in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
``(III) Reporting.--The Committee
shall report the bill on November 9,
2026, or the first day thereafter on
which the Senate is in session. If the
Committee fails to report the bill
within that period, the Committee shall
be automatically discharged from
consideration of the bill, and the bill
shall be placed on the appropriate
calendar.
``(ii) In the house of representatives.--
``(I) In general.--A Social
Security bill introduced in the House
of Representatives shall be referred to
the Committee on Ways and Means (in
this clause, referred to as the
`Committee').
``(II) Amendments.--It shall be in
order for the Committee to consider and
adopt amendments to the Social Security
bill. It shall not be in order for the
Committee to consider or adopt any
amendment to the Social Security bill
that causes the bill to not achieve
long-term solvency for the Trust Funds
or does not change outlays, revenues,
or financing with respect to the old-
age, survivors, and disability
insurance program established under
this title, the supplemental security
income program under title XVI, or the
related provisions in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
``(III) Reporting.--The Committee
shall report the bill on November 9,
2026, or the first day thereafter on
which the House is in session. If the
Committee fails to report the bill
within that period, the Committee shall
be automatically discharged from
consideration of the bill, and the bill
shall be placed on the appropriate
calendar.
``(2) Filing deadline and certification.--
``(A) Filing deadline.--
``(i) In the senate.--Not later than
November 9, 2026, or the first day thereafter
on which the Senate is in session, Members may
file substitute amendments, and amendments
shall be printed in the Congressional Record on
the day such amendments are filed.
``(ii) In the house of representatives.--
Not later than November 9, 2026, or the first
day thereafter on which that House of
Representatives is in session, Members may file
substitute amendments, and such amendments
shall be printed in the Congressional Record on
the day such amendments are filed.
``(B) Certification.--
``(i) In the senate.--Not later than
November 16, 2026, or the first day thereafter
on which the Senate is in session, the Chairman
of the Finance Committee (in consultation with
the Chief Actuary of the Social Security
Administration and the Parliamentarian of the
Senate) shall certify whether the complete
substitute amendments filed under subparagraph
(A)(i) meet the criteria described in items
(aa) and (bb) of paragraph (3)(A)(iii)(II) and
print the list of certified amendments in the
Congressional Record.
``(ii) In the house of representatives.--
Not later than November 16, 2026, or the first
day thereafter on which the House of
Representatives is in session, the Chairman of
the Ways and Means Committee (in consultation
with the Chief Actuary of the Social Security
Administration and Parliamentarian of the House
of Representatives) shall certify whether the
complete substitute amendments filed under
subparagraph (A)(ii) meet the criteria
described in items (aa) and (bb) of paragraph
(3)(B)(v)(II) and print the list of certified
amendments in the Congressional Record.
``(3) Procedures.--
``(A) Consideration in senate.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding Rule
XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is
in order, not later than November 16, 2026, or
the first day thereafter on which the Senate is
in session, for the Majority Leader of the
Senate or the Majority Leader's designee to
move to proceed to the consideration of the
Social Security bill. It shall also be in order
for any Member of the Senate to move to proceed
to the consideration of the Social Security
bill at any time after that 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, including budgetary
points of order, against the motion to proceed
to the Social Security 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 Social Security bill is
agreed to, the Social Security bill shall
remain the unfinished business until disposed
of.
``(ii) Consideration.--All points of order,
including budgetary points of order, against
the Social Security bill and against
consideration of the Social Security bill are
waived. Consideration of the Social Security
bill and of all debatable motions and appeals
in connection therewith shall not exceed a
total of 100 hours. Debate shall be divided
equally between the Majority and Minority
Leaders or their designees. A motion to further
limit debate on the Social Security 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 a period not
to exceed 2 hours, to be divided equally
between the Majority Leader and Minority
Leader. All time used for consideration of the
Social Security bill, including time used for
quorum calls and voting, shall be counted
against the total 100 hours of consideration.
``(iii) Restriction on amendments and
motions.--
``(I) In general.--Except as
provided in subclause (II), an
amendment to the Social Security bill,
or a motion to postpone, or a motion to
proceed to the consideration of other
business, or a motion to recommit the
Social Security bill is not in order.
All points of order, including
budgetary points of order, against the
consideration of substitute amendments
to the Social Security bill are waived.
``(II) Substitute amendments.--
``(aa) In general.--It
shall be in order in the Senate
to consider any substitute
amendment to the Social
Security bill that, as
determined by the Chairman of
the Committee on Finance (in
consultation with the Chief
Actuary of the Social Security
Administration), achieve long-
term solvency for the Trust
Funds, with such determination
to be submitted by the Chairman
for printing in the
Congressional Record. It shall
be in order in the Senate for
the sponsor of a substitute
amendment to make minor or
technical modifications to such
amendment.
``(bb) Extraneous
provisions.--It shall not be in
order in the Senate to consider
any substitute amendment to the
Social Security bill that--
``(AA) does not
achieve long-term
solvency for the Trust
Funds; or
``(BB) includes
provisions that do not
change outlays,
revenues, or financing
with respect to the
old-age, survivors, and
disability insurance
program established
under this title, the
supplemental security
income program under
title XVI, or the
related provisions in
the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
``(cc) Limit on debate.--
Consideration of any amendment
described in this subclause and
any debatable motions and
appeals in connection therewith
shall be limited to 2 hours,
equally divided between the
Majority Leader and the
Minority Leader. Adoption of a
substitute amendment shall
require an affirmative vote of
three-fifths of the Members,
duly chosen and sworn. An
amendment described in this
subclause is not divisible and
no amendment to a substitute
amendment shall be in order.
All time used for consideration
of any amendments described in
this subclause shall come from
the 100 hours of consideration
described in clause (ii).
``(iv) Adoption of amendments.--If more
than one of the amendments described in clause
(iii)(II) is adopted, then only the one
receiving the greater number of affirmative
votes shall be engrossed as an amendment of the
Senate. In the case of a tie for the greater
number of affirmative votes, then only the last
amendment to receive that number of affirmative
votes shall be engrossed as an amendment of the
Senate. Action on all other amendments shall be
vitiated.
``(v) Vote on passage.--The vote on passage
shall occur immediately following the
conclusion of consideration of a Social
Security bill, and a single quorum call at the
conclusion of the debate if requested. Passage
shall require an affirmative vote of three-
fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn.
If the Social Security bill is passed, the
Secretary of the Senate shall cause the bill to
be transmitted to House of Representatives
before the close of the next day of session of
the Senate.
``(vi) Adjournment.--If, by December 18,
2026, either House has failed to adopt a motion
to proceed to the Social Security bill,
paragraph (1)(A)(i)(II) shall not apply.
``(vii) 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 Social Security bill
shall be debatable for a period not to exceed 1
hour, to be divided equally between the
Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.
``(B) Consideration in house of representatives.--
``(i) Proceeding to consideration.--It
shall be in order in the House of
Representatives, not later than November 16,
2026, or the first day thereafter on which the
House is in session, for the Majority Leader of
the House of Representatives or the Majority
Leader's designee, to move to proceed to the
consideration of the Social Security bill. It
shall also be in order for any Member of the
House of Representatives to move to proceed to
the consideration of the Social Security bill
at any time after the conclusion of that
period. All points of order, including
budgetary points of order, against the motion
to proceed to the Social Security bill are
waived. Such a motion shall not be in order
after the House of Representatives has disposed
of a motion to proceed on the Social Security
bill. 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.
``(ii) Consideration.--The Social Security
bill shall be considered as read. All points of
order, including budgetary points of order,
against the Social Security bill and against
its consideration are waived. The previous
question shall be considered as ordered on the
Social Security bill to its passage without
intervening motion except 100 hours of
consideration equally divided and controlled by
the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader,
and any motion to limit debate. A motion to
reconsider the vote on passage of the Social
Security bill shall not be in order.
``(iii) 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 Social Security bill
shall be debatable for a period not to exceed 1
hour, to be divided equally between the
Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.
``(iv) Application of house rules.--Except
to the extent specifically provided in this
subparagraph, consideration of a Social
Security 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 Social Security bill introduced
pursuant to the provisions of this subsection
under a suspension of the rules pursuant to
Clause 1 of House Rule XV, or under a special
rule reported by the House Committee on Rules.
``(v) Restriction on amendments.--
``(I) In general.--Except as
provided in subclause (II), no
amendment to the Social Security bill
shall be in order in the House of
Representatives. All points of order,
including budgetary points of order,
against the consideration of substitute
amendments to the Social Security bill
are waived.
``(II) Substitute amendments.--
``(aa) In general.--It
shall be in order in the House
of Representatives to consider
any substitute amendment to the
Social Security bill that, as
determined by the Chairman of
the Committee on Ways and Means
(in consultation with the Chief
Actuary of the Social Security
Administration), achieves long-
term solvency for the Trust
Funds, with such determination
to be submitted by the Chairman
for printing in the
Congressional Record. It shall
be in order in the House of
Representatives for the sponsor
of a substitute amendment to
make minor or technical
modifications to such
amendment.
``(bb) Extraneous
provisions.--It shall not be in
order in the House of
Representatives to consider any
substitute amendment to the
Social Security bill that--
``(AA) does not
achieve long-term
solvency for the Trust
Funds; or
``(BB) includes
provisions that do not
change outlays,
revenues, or financing
with respect to the
old-age, survivors, and
disability insurance
program established
under title II, the
supplemental security
income program under
title XVI, or the
related provisions in
the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
``(cc) Limit on debate.--
Consideration of any amendment
described in this subclause and
any debatable motions and
appeals in connection therewith
shall be limited to 1 hour,
equally divided between the
Majority Leader and the
Minority Leader. Adoption of a
substitute amendment shall
require an affirmative vote of
a majority of the Members, duly
chosen and sworn. An amendment
described in this subclause is
not divisible and no amendment
to a substitute amendment shall
be in order. All time used for
consideration of any amendments
described in this subclause
shall come from the 100 hours
of consideration described in
clause (ii).
``(vi) Adoption of amendments.--If more
than one of the amendments described in clause
(v)(II) is adopted, then only the one receiving
the greater number of affirmative votes shall
be engrossed as an amendment of the House. In
the case of a tie for the greater number of
affirmative votes, then only the last amendment
to receive that number of affirmative votes
shall be engrossed as an amendment of the
House. Action on all other amendments shall be
vitiated.
``(vii) Vote on passage.--Immediately
following the conclusion of consideration of
the Social Security bill, the vote on passage
of the Social Security bill shall occur without
any intervening action or motion, requiring an
affirmative vote of a majority of the Members,
duly chosen and sworn. If the Social Security
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 of
Representatives.
``(viii) Vote.--The House Committee on
Rules may not report a rule or order that would
have the effect of causing the Social Security
bill to be approved by a vote of less than a
majority of the Members, duly chosen and sworn.
``(ix) Adjournment.--If, by December 18,
2026, either House has failed to adopt a motion
to proceed to the Social Security bill,
paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II) shall not apply.
``(C) Rules to coordinate action with other
house.--
``(i) Referral.--If, before the passage by
one House of a Social Security bill of that
House, that House receives from the other House
a Social Security bill, then the Social
Security bill of the other House shall not be
referred to a committee and shall immediately
be placed on the calendar.
``(ii) Procedure.--If a House that has not
voted to proceed to a Social Security bill
receives a Social Security bill passed by the
other House--
``(I) the procedure in the House
that has not voted to proceed to a
Social Security bill shall be the same
as if no such bill had been introduced
in that House; and
``(II) the bill considered in that
House shall be the Social Security bill
of the other House.
``(iii) Treatment of social security bill
of other house.--If one House fails to
introduce or consider a Social Security bill
under this section, the Social Security bill of
the other House shall be entitled to the floor
procedures under this section.
``(iv) Treatment of identical companion
measures in either house.--If, following
passage of a Social Security bill in one House,
that House then receives an identical companion
bill from the other House, the Social Security
bill of the other House shall not be debatable.
The vote on passage of the Social Security bill
in the House receiving the Social Security bill
shall be considered to be the vote on passage
of the Social Security bill received from the
other House.
``(v) Treatment of different measures in
either house.--If, following passage of a
Social Security bill in one House, that House
then receives a Social Security bill from the
other House that is different from the Social
Security bill passed by that House, the Social
Security bill passed by the other House shall
be entitled to the floor procedures under this
section.
``(vi) Vetoes.--If the President vetoes the
Social Security bill, consideration on a veto
message in either House under this section
shall be limited to 1 hour equally divided
between the Majority and Minority Leaders or
their designees.
``(4) Suspension.--No motion to suspend the application of
this subsection shall be in order in the Senate or in the House
of Representatives.
``(d) Decennial Review.--
``(1) Review.--If the Social Security Board of Trustees
submits a report to Congress pursuant to section 201(c)(2) that
finds that the Trust Funds are not able to pay 100 percent of
scheduled benefits for a period of at least 50 years that
begins on the date such report is submitted, the Social
Security Board of Trustees shall notify the Social Security
Advisory Board.
``(2) Reports.--
``(A) In general.--If a Social Security bill is
enacted into law under this section, the following
shall apply:
``(i) Mandatory reports.--If the Social
Security Advisory Board receives a notice
described in paragraph (1) during a covered
year, the Social Security Advisory Board shall
submit to Congress a report including
recommendations and proposed legislative
language that meets the requirements of
subsection (b)(1).
``(ii) Discretionary reports.--If the
Social Security Advisory Board receives a
notice described in paragraph (1) during a
calendar that is not a covered year, the Social
Security Advisory Board may submit to Congress
a report described in clause (i).
``(B) Covered year defined.--In this paragraph, the
term `covered year' means calendar year 2037 and every
10 years thereafter.
``(3) Consideration.--If Congress receives a report
described in paragraph (2)(A)(i), Congress shall consider the
recommendations and proposed legislative language pursuant to
the process described in subsection (c), except that the dates
described in such subsection and subsection (b) shall apply in
the calendar year that such report is submitted.''.
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