PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 103-296.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 21, 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration as an Independent Agency Title II: Miscellaneous Improvements to the Old-Age Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program Social Security Administrative Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration as an Independent Agency - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish as an independent executive agency the Social Security Administration, governed by a Social Security Board, to administer the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under SSA titles II and XVI. (Sec. 102) Establishes in the Administration an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. (Sec. 104) Transfers to the Board all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) pertaining to such programs. (Sec. 107) Requires the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session of its administration under SSA. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for SSA programs administered by the Secretary. Title II: Improvements (sic) to the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program - Amends SSA titles II and XVI with respect to the payment of disability benefits to substance abusers. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA titles II and related provisions of Federal law with respect to: (1) OASDI trust fund administration, including the creation of a Continuing Disability Review Account in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund; (2) telephone access to local Social Security Administration offices; (3) OASDI coverage of State election personnel, police officers, and fire fighters; (4) use of social security numbers for jury selection and in administration of Federal workers' compensation laws; (5) totalization benefits, military reservists, and application of windfall elimination and Government pension offset provisions; (6) facility-of-payment provisions; (7) maximum family benefits in guarantee cases; (8) annual earnings filing; (9) disability insurance program demonstration project authority; (10) cross-matching of social security number information and employer ID number information maintained by the Department of Agriculture; (11) retirement eligibility for Federal employees transferred to International Organizations; (12) treatment of certain visas; and (13) rounding when calculating OASDI contribution and benefit base and earnings test exempt amounts. (Sec. 208) Provides a limited exemption from certain self-employment tax liability for individuals performing religious services in Canada. (Sec. 213) Amends SSA title XI with regard to: (1) disclosure of mortality information for research purposes; (2) misuse of HHS and Treasury symbols, emblems, or names in reference to social security programs and agencies, and associated penalties; and (3) penalties for unauthorized disclosure of social security information. (Sec. 219) Amends the Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 concerning certain transfers to the Railroad Retirement Account. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary to appoint a Commission on the Evaluation of Disability in Children to study and report to the Congress on SSI's definition of "disability" and how it applies with respect to children.
People & committees
Rep. Jacobs, Andrew, Jr. [D-IN-10] · D–IN
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 103-296.
Became Public Law No: 103-296.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 431 - 0 (Roll no. 392). (consideration: CR H7925)
House roll call 392 · Individual votesMotions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 431 - 0 (Roll no. 392).(consideration: CR H7925)
House roll call 392 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.
Mr. Jacobs brought up conference report H. Rept. 103-670 by previously agreed to special order of August 5, 1994.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S10875)
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S10875)
Mr. Gibbons asked unanimous consent That it be in order at any time to consider the conference report on H.R. 4277, and that any points of order against the conference report and its consideration be waived, and that the conference report be considered as read. Agreed to without objection.
Conference report H. Rept. 103-670 filed. (text of conference report: CR H6843-6883)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 103-670 filed.(text of conference report: CR H6843-6883)
Mr. Gibbons asked unanimous consent that managers on the part of the House have until midnight on Aug. 4 to file a conference report on H.R. 4277. Agreed to without objection.
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Gibbons, Rostenkowski, Pickle, Jacobs, Ford (TN), Archer, Bunning, and Santorum.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H4752)
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to instruct conferees on the part of the House to insist upon section 231 of the House bill, relating to Social Security fraud investigation.
Mr. Santorum moved that the House instruct conferees.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H4750)
Mr. Jacobs asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendment asks for a conference, appoints conferees Moynihan; Baucus; Breaux; Packwood; Dole. (consideration: CR S6186)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 1560 amended.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6186-6192)
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 433.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll No. 177).
House roll call 177 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll No. 177).
House roll call 177 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (CR H3485-3486)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3430-3452)
Mr. Rostenkowski moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 283.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 103-506.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 103-506.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Joint Hearing Held on Issue by Subcommittee on Human Resources and Subcommittee on Oversight Prior to Introduction (Feb 24, 93).
Joint Hearing Held on Issue by Subcommittee on Social Security and Subcommittee on Human Resources Prior to Introduction (Feb 10, 94).
Hearings Held on Issue by Subcommittee on Human Resources Prior to Introduction (Oct 14; Nov 15, 93; Mar 1, 94).
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jun 6, 2024. 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.4277 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.4277 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.4277 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.4277 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.