To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide that recently enacted provisions requiring payment of Federal benefits in the form of electronic funds transfers do not apply with respect to benefits payable under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 7, 1997

Amends specified Federal law, as amended by the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, to exempt Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits under title II of the Social Security Act from mandatory payment of Federal benefits in the form of electronic fund transfers, as required by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-21] · R–PA

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

2 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.

Jan 15, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Jan 7, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
Jan 7, 1997
Introduced in House
Jan 7, 1997
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 · Jan 7, 1997 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: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.156 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.R.156, 105th Congress: To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide that recently enacted provisions requiring payment of Federal benefits in the form of electronic funds transfers do not apply with respect to benefits payable under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/156

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-01-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr156/BILLS-105hr156ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. 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.R.156 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.R.156 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.R.156, 105th Congress: To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide that recently enacted provisions requiring payment of Federal benefits in the form of electronic funds transfers do not apply with respect to benefits payable under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/156

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-01-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr156/BILLS-105hr156ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. 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.R.156 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.R.156 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.R.156, 105th Congress: To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide that recently enacted provisions requiring payment of Federal benefits in the form of electronic funds transfers do not apply with respect to benefits payable under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/156

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-01-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr156/BILLS-105hr156ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. 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.R.156 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.R.156 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.R.156, 105th Congress: To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide that recently enacted provisions requiring payment of Federal benefits in the form of electronic funds transfers do not apply with respect to benefits payable under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/156

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-01-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr156/BILLS-105hr156ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. 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.R.156 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.