PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jan 12, 2017
Commodity End User Relief Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2021, and otherwise revises provisions related to, operations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The CFTC is authorized to require that certain property of the bankruptcy estate of a commodity broker who is a debtor in Chapter 7 bankruptcy (also known as "liquidation" bankruptcy) be included in customer property to the extent that such property is insufficient to satisfy the net equity claims of the broker's public customers.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Before promulgating a regulation or issuing an order, the CFTC must publish an assessment of the costs and benefits of the action.
The heads of the CFTC's administrative units shall serve at the pleasure of the CFTC.
The bill establishes, within the CFTC, the Office of the Chief Economist.
The bill eliminates the CFTC's authority to lease space.
The bill modifies provisions related to the CFTC's Customer Protection Fund.
The duration of an omnibus order of investigation (authorizing the CFTC to issue subpoenas to multiple persons in relation to a particular subject matter area) shall not be indefinite.
The bill exempts specified entities from certain clearing requirements applicable to swaps.
With respect to swap dealer registration requirements, the bill: (1) prohibits the CFTC from modifying, except by affirmative rule or regulation, the threshold for de minimus (minor in quantity) swap dealing; (2) under certain circumstances, allows the use of specified financial models with respect to calculating capital requirements; and (3) modifies other provisions.
The bill exempts certain swap activities involving non-U.S. persons from U.S. swaps requirements.
In addition, the bill amends the Commodity Exchange Act to direct registered futures associations to require their futures commission merchant members to meet certain procedural and reporting requirements.
People & committees
Rep. Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11] · R–TX
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 239 - 182 (Roll no. 54).
House roll call 54 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 239 - 182 (Roll no. 54).
House roll call 54 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 190 - 235 (Roll no. 53).
House roll call 53 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to insert language prohibiting the Commission from considering the swaps regulatory requirements of a foreign jurisdiction if that jurisdiction has been found by the Commission, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, to have engaged in cyber-attacks targeting any election held in the United States.
Mr. Langevin moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Agriculture. (text: CR H449)
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H414-421)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 238.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which were debated earlier an on which further proceedings had been postponed.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H450-451)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 238 as unfinished business.
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Conaway moved that the committee rise.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hartzler Part B amendment No. 8.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lucas Part B amendment No. 7.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the LaMalfa Part B amendment No. 6.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Duffy Part B amendment No. 5.
POSTSPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conaway amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Courtney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conaway Part B amendment No. 4.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conaway Part B amendment No. 3.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Austin Scott (GA) Part B amendment No. 2.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 40, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Aderholt Part B amendment No. 1.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 238.
The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 40 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 78 and H.R. 238. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on both H.R. 78 and H.R. 238. The resolution provides for suspension authority at any time on the legislative day of January 13, 2017. The resolution also provides for legislative proceedings during the period of January 16, 2017 through January 20, 2017.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 40. (consideration: CR H404-428)
Rule H. Res. 40 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 40 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 78 and H.R. 238. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on both H.R. 78 and H.R. 238. The resolution provides for suspension authority at any time on the legislative day of January 13, 2017. The resolution also provides for legislative proceedings during the period of January 16, 2017 through January 20, 2017.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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.
Analyze H.R.238 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.
Examine H.R.238 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.
Examine H.R.238 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.
Examine H.R.238 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.