[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 832 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 832
Establishing 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
August 6, 2026
Mr. Cassidy (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Establishing 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.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCESS TO ASSURE SOCIAL SECURITY SOLVENCY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Long-term solvency.--The term ``long-term solvency''
means the financial ability of the Trust Funds to pay 100
percent of scheduled benefits for a period of at least 50 years
that begins on the date of adoption of this resolution.
(2) Social security bill.--The term ``Social Security
bill'' means a bill introduced pursuant to subsection
(c)(1)(A)(i) or subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii).
(3) Trust funds.--The term ``Trust Funds'' means the
Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the
Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund under title II of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.).
(b) Bipartisan Working Group.--
(1) In general.--Not later than August 10, 2026, the
Majority Leader of the Senate shall establish a bipartisan
working group (in this section, referred to as the ``working
group'') that 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 title II of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 401 et seq.), the supplemental security income program
under title XVI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.), or
provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that could be
altered to help achieve long-term solvency.
(2) Composition.--
(A) In general.--The working group shall consist
of--
(i) 3 Senators from the Committee on
Finance of the Senate, appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee;
(ii) 3 Senators from the Committee on
Finance of the Senate, appointed by the Ranking
Member of the Committee;
(iii) 3 Senators appointed by the Majority
Leader of the Senate; and
(iv) 3 Senators appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate.
(B) Discretionary house participation.--The Speaker
of the House of Representatives and Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives may each appoint 4 members
to the working group.
(C) Chairpersons.--Not later than 14 calendar days
after the appointment of all members under subparagraph
(A), the Majority Leader of the Senate and Minority
Leader of the Senate shall select co-chairs of the
working group from members of the working group.
(3) Request for information.--The working group 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.
(4) Public listening sessions.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
working group shall, for the purpose of carrying out
this subsection, hold such public listening sessions,
sit and act at such times and places, request
attendance of stakeholders and production of books,
papers, and documents, take such testimony, receive
such evidence, and administer oaths as the working
group considers advisable.
(B) Procedures.--
(i) Announcement.--The working group 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 either co-chair of the working
group determines that there is good cause to
begin such public listening session on an
earlier date.
(ii) Written statement.--The working group
shall request that each stakeholder appearing
before the working group 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
stakeholder.
(5) Technical assistance and consultation.--Either co-chair
of the working group may request that the head of any Federal
agency provide technical assistance to, and consult with, the
working group in order for the working group to carry out its
duties under this subsection, and the head of any Federal
agency is requested to comply with any such request.
(6) Assistance from the architect of the capitol.--Either
co-chair of the working group may request that the Architect of
the Capitol provide suitable space to house the operations of
the working group, and the Architect of the Capitol is
requested to comply with any such request.
(7) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than October 1, 2026,
the working group shall submit to the Chairman and
Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance of the
Senate and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives, and make available to any Member of
Congress upon request, a report that contains detailed
recommendations and proposed legislative language that
meets the requirements described in paragraph (1).
(B) Alternative proposals.--As part of the report
described in subparagraph (A), the working group shall
include not less than 2 separate legislative proposals
that meet the requirements described in paragraph (1).
(c) Consideration of a Social Security Bill.--
(1) Introduction.--
(A) Introduction of social security bill.--
(i) Working group legislative language.--
One of the legislative proposals contained in
the report submitted pursuant to subsection
(b), upon receipt by the Senate, shall (by
request) be introduced not later than November
9, 2026, or the first day thereafter on which
the Senate is in session, by the Majority
Leader of the Senate, for himself, or any
Member of the Senate designated by the Majority
Leader. If the Social Security bill is not
introduced in accordance with the preceding
sentence, then any Member of the Senate may
introduce the Social Security bill on any day
thereafter. Upon introduction, the Social
Security bill shall be referred to the
Committee on Finance of the Senate under
subparagraph (B).
(ii) Members of congress legislative
language.--
(I) In general.--In the case that
the working group does not submit
proposed legislative language pursuant
to subsection (b), not later than
November 9, 2026, or the first day
thereafter on which the Senate is in
session, the Majority Leader of the
Senate, for himself, or any Member of
the Senate 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, then any Member
of the Senate may introduce legislative
language subject to subclause (II) on
any day thereafter. Upon introduction,
the legislative language shall be
referred to the Committee on Finance of
the Senate in accordance with
subparagraph (B).
(II) Requirements.--Such
legislative language shall--
(aa) achieve long-term
solvency for the Trust Funds,
as certified by the Chairman
and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Finance (in
consultation with the Chief
Actuary of the Social Security
Administration);
(bb) be introduced by at
least 1 Member associating with
the majority party and at least
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 title II of
the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 401 et seq.), the
supplemental security income
program under title XVI of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.),
or provisions in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 that could
be altered to help achieve
long-term solvency.
(B) Committee consideration.--
(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 that 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 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.),
the supplemental security income program under
title XVI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.),
or provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 that could be altered to help achieve
long-term solvency.
(iii) Reporting.--The Committee shall
report the bill on November 18, 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.
(2) Filing deadline and certification.--
(A) Filing deadline.--Not later than November 18,
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.
(B) Certification.--Not later than November 30,
2026, or the first day thereafter on which the Senate
is in session, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Finance (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) 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.
(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 30, 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 30 hours. Debate shall be divided
equally between the Majority Leader and
Minority Leader 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 1 hour, 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 30 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 and
Ranking Member of the Committee
on Finance (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
and Ranking Member 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 title II of the
Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 401 et seq.),
the supplemental
security income program
under title XVI of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et
seq.), or provisions in
the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 that could
be altered to help
achieve long-term
solvency.
(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 30 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) 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) Receipt of the house of representatives
measures.--
(i) Identical bill.--If the Senate receives
from the House of Representatives a bill that
is identical to the Social Security bill
pending in or passed by the Senate, the bill so
received shall not be referred to committee,
shall be placed on the calendar, and shall not
be debatable, and the vote on passage of the
Social Security bill in the Senate, whether
occurring before or after such receipt, shall
be considered to be the vote on passage of the
bill received from the House of
Representatives.
(ii) Vetoes.--If the President vetoes the
Social Security bill, consideration of the veto
message in the Senate under this section shall
be limited to 1 hour, equally divided between
the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or
their designees.
(4) Suspension.--No motion to suspend the application of
this subsection shall be in order in the Senate.
(5) Rule of construction.--If the House of Representatives
passes a Social Security bill that is different from such a
bill passed in the Senate, nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to prevent the House of Representatives and Senate
from resolving such differences through a conference committee.
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