[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER CONFIDENTIALITY ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2000

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I submit the following exchange 
of letters between myself and Chairman Archer regarding H.R. 3218:

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                 Washington, DC, October 17, 2000.
     Hon. Dan Burton,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
       Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I understand that you have requested 
     that H.R. 3218, the ``Social Security Number Confidentiality 
     Act of 1999,'' be scheduled for consideration on the House 
     floor under suspension of the Rules. H.R. 3218 would ensure 
     that Social Security numbers (SSNs) do not appear on or 
     through the unopened mailings of Treasury checks. The bill as 
     introduced was referred to the Committee on Government 
     Reform.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdiction over ``National Social Security.'' The use of 
     the SSN within the government sector falls within that 
     subject matter jurisdiction, and the Committee has legislated 
     in the past on the issue of the use of the SSN and its 
     display. In fact a provision related to H.R. 3218 is found in 
     section 101 of H.R. 4857, the Social Security Privacy and 
     Identity Protection Act of 2000, which was ordered favorably 
     reported by the Committee on Ways and Means on September 29, 
     2000. Accordingly, I have confirmed the Committee on Ways and 
     Means has a valid claim on H.R. 3218.
       Notwithstanding this determination, and in order to 
     expedite consideration of this important time-sensitive 
     legislation, I have no objection to its consideration by the 
     House at this time. This is being done with the understanding 
     that the Committee on Ways and Means will be treated without 
     prejudice with respect to its jurisdictional rights during 
     future consideration of this or similar legislation in the 
     future.
       I would further request that you include a copy of this 
     letter in the Record, as well as your written response. With 
     warm personal regards, I am
           Sincerely,

                                                  Bill Archer,

                                                         Chairman.

                                 ______
                                 

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Government Reform,

                                 Washington, DC, October 17, 2000.
     Hon. Bill Archer,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
     House of Representatives,
       Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of October 17, 
     in which you stated that your Committee would not be 
     asserting jurisdiction over H.R. 3218, the Social Security 
     Number Confidentiality Act.
       As you know, your decision not to assert jurisdiction over 
     this matter will help expedite consideration of this 
     important legislation. I look forward to working with you on 
     this and other issues throughout the remainder of the 106th 
     Congress.
           Sincerely,

                                                   Dan Burton,

                                                         Chairman.

     

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