To amend title II of the Social Security Act to expand current restrictions on payment of benefits to prisoners by clarifying the types of offenses with respect to which such restrictions are applied, by including under such restrictions payments to individuals confined for substantial periods to public institutions pursuant to court order based on a verdict that the individual is not guilty of a criminal offense by reason of insanity or a similar finding, and by eliminating the rehabilitation exemption.

See H.R.4278.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 19, 1993

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) expand current restrictions on the payment to prisoners of OASDI benefits to include payments of OASDI benefits to individuals confined for certain periods to public institutions after having been found not guilty of a criminal offense by reason of insanity or other mental disorder; and (2) repeal the exemption from such restrictions for prisoners in rehabilitation programs.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Franks, Bob [R-NJ-7] · R–NJ

Committees

Ways and Means 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.

Apr 28, 1994
See H.R.4278.
Sep 23, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2245)
May 21, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
May 19, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
May 19, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2528-2529)
May 19, 1993
Introduced in House
May 19, 1993
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 · May 19, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 4278 · Social Security Domestic Employment Reform Act of 1994

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

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2161 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.2161, 103rd Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to expand current restrictions on payment of benefits to prisoners by clarifying the types of offenses with respect to which such restrictions are applied, by including under such restrictions payments to individuals confined for substantial periods to public institutions pursuant to court order based on a verdict that the individual is not guilty of a criminal offense by reason of insanity or a similar finding, and by eliminating the rehabilitation exemption.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/2161

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr2161/BILLS-103hr2161ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:24:49Z. 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.2161 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.2161 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.2161, 103rd Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to expand current restrictions on payment of benefits to prisoners by clarifying the types of offenses with respect to which such restrictions are applied, by including under such restrictions payments to individuals confined for substantial periods to public institutions pursuant to court order based on a verdict that the individual is not guilty of a criminal offense by reason of insanity or a similar finding, and by eliminating the rehabilitation exemption.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/2161

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr2161/BILLS-103hr2161ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:24:49Z. 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.2161 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.2161 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.2161, 103rd Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to expand current restrictions on payment of benefits to prisoners by clarifying the types of offenses with respect to which such restrictions are applied, by including under such restrictions payments to individuals confined for substantial periods to public institutions pursuant to court order based on a verdict that the individual is not guilty of a criminal offense by reason of insanity or a similar finding, and by eliminating the rehabilitation exemption.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/2161

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr2161/BILLS-103hr2161ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:24:49Z. 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.2161 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.2161 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.2161, 103rd Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to expand current restrictions on payment of benefits to prisoners by clarifying the types of offenses with respect to which such restrictions are applied, by including under such restrictions payments to individuals confined for substantial periods to public institutions pursuant to court order based on a verdict that the individual is not guilty of a criminal offense by reason of insanity or a similar finding, and by eliminating the rehabilitation exemption.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/2161

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr2161/BILLS-103hr2161ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:24:49Z. 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.2161 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.