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H.R.4818 / 105th Congress

Asset-Building for Working Americans Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 12, 1998

Asset-Building for Working Americans Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as SSA titles XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) and XIX (Medicaid), to require States to disregard for the following 12-month period any refunds or advance payments of the earned income tax credit (EITC) in determining eligibility for benefits under TANF, SSI, and Medicaid. Establishes up to a two percent reduction in the next fiscal year's grant to any State as a penalty for failure to disregard such payments. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require a similar disregard for EITC payments under public housing and rental assistance programs.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] · D–MS

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Financial Services Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
21 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

  3. Referred to House Banking and Financial Services

  4. Referred to House Commerce

  5. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Commerce, and Banking and 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.

  6. Referred to House Ways and Means

  7. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2097)

  8. Introduced in House

  9. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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

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: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4818 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4818 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4818 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4818 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.

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