Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the budgetary treatment of the Federal programs currently known as the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the hospital insurance program.

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 16, 1999

Constitutional Amendment - States that the moneys of the United States held for purposes of the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program (title II of the Social Security Act (SSA)) and the Hospital Insurance program (SSA title XVIII (Medicare) part A) shall be held in separate and independent trust funds and shall be segregated from all other moneys of the United States. Prohibits the receipts and disbursements of such programs, including program revenues, from being included in either the President's or Congress' budget. States that Congress may make no law authorizing the use of such trust funds (social security as well as hospital insurance trust funds) for any purpose other than for providing for the prompt and effective payment of benefits, administrative expenses, and such amounts as may be necessary and appropriate to correct prior incorrect payments. Bars any agency or instrumentality of the United States, or any officer or employee thereof, from using or authorizing the use of such trust funds for any purpose other than as congressionally authorized in accordance with this constitutional amendment.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17] · D–OH

Committees

Judiciary Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 31, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Mar 16, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 16, 1999
Introduced in House
Mar 16, 1999
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 16, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.J.Res.40 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.40, 106th Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the budgetary treatment of the Federal programs currently known as the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the hospital insurance program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-joint-resolution/40

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hjres40/BILLS-106hjres40ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:08:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.J.Res.40 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.J.Res.40 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.40, 106th Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the budgetary treatment of the Federal programs currently known as the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the hospital insurance program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-joint-resolution/40

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hjres40/BILLS-106hjres40ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:08:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.J.Res.40 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.J.Res.40 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.40, 106th Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the budgetary treatment of the Federal programs currently known as the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the hospital insurance program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-joint-resolution/40

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hjres40/BILLS-106hjres40ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:08:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.J.Res.40 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.J.Res.40 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.40, 106th Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the budgetary treatment of the Federal programs currently known as the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program and the hospital insurance program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-joint-resolution/40

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hjres40/BILLS-106hjres40ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:08:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.J.Res.40 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.