PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.6169 / 112th Congress

Pathway to Job Creation through a Simpler, Fairer Tax Code Act of 2012

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 747, H.R. 6169 is laid on the table.

Official summary

Version 81 · Passed House without amendment · Aug 2, 2012

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Pathway to Job Creation through a Simpler, Fairer Tax Code Act of 2012 - States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the enactment of comprehensive tax reform in 2013 that: (1) protects taxpayers by creating a fairer, simpler, flatter tax code; (2) is comprehensive; (3) results in tax revenue consistent with historical norms; (4) spurs greater investment, innovation and job creation; and (5) makes American workers and businesses more competitive.

Defines a "tax reform bill" for purposes of this Act as a bill to be introduced by the chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means not later than April 30, 2013, that is certified by the chair of the Joint Committee on Taxation as containing proposals to: (1) consolidate the 6 current individual income tax brackets into a maximum of 2 brackets (of 10% and not higher than 25%), (2) reduce the corporate income tax rate to not more than 25%, (3) repeal the alternative minimum tax (AMT), (4) broaden the tax base so that tax revenues comprise between 18% and 19% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and (5) reform the current system of foreign taxation.

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

Provides for the expedited consideration of such bill in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-26] · R–CA

Committees

  • Rules Committee
23 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 747, H.R. 6169 is laid on the table.

  2. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 747, the text of H.R. 6169, as passed by the House, is appended as new matter at the end of the engrossment of H.R. 8.

  3. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. On passage Passed by recorded vote: 232 - 189 (Roll no. 552).

    House roll call 552 · Individual votes
  5. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 232 - 189 (Roll no. 552).

    House roll call 552 · Individual votes
  6. On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 188 - 235 (Roll no. 551). (consideration: CR H5680-5681)

    House roll call 551 · Individual votes
  7. The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H5680)

  8. DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop (NY) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to prohibit a tax reform measure considered under the expedited procedures provided by this bill from reducing, repealing, or otherwise eliminating deductions for mortgage interest or charitable contributions.

  9. Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means. (consideration: CR H5678-5681; text: CR H5678)

  10. DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 747, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Slaughter amendment in the nature of a substitute.

  11. DEBATE - The House proceeded with three hours of debate on H.R. 6169.

  12. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6169 and H.R. 8. H.R. 6169 is accorded 3 hours of general debate and H.R. 8 is accorded 1 hour of general debate. For H.R. 6169, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of the report is in order and shall be debatable for 20 minutes. For H.R. 8, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part B is made in order and shall be debatable for 20 minutes. Section 3 provides that on any legislative day from August 3, 2012 through September 7, 2012: (a) the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; (b) the Chair may adjourn the House to meet at a date and time within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution; and (c) bills and resolutions introduced shall be numbered, listed in the Congressional Record, and when printed shall bear the date of introduction, but may be referred at a later time. Section 4 authorizes the Speaker to appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period addressed by section 3 as though under clause 8(a) of rule I. Section 5 of the resolution provides that each day during the period addressed by section 3 shall not constitute a calendar for purposes of section 7 of the War Powers Resolution. Section 6 of the resolution provides that each day during the period addressed by section 3 shall not constitute a legislative day for the purposes of clause 7 of rule XIII (resolutions of inquiry). Section 7 of the resolution provides that for each day during the period addressed by section 3 shall not constitute a calendar or legislative day for purposes of clause 7(c)(1) of rule XXII (motions to instruct conferees). Section 8 of the resolution authorizes the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules on the legislative day of August 2, 2012. Section 9 of the resolution waives the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House) with respect to any resolution reported through the legislative day of August 2, 2012.

  13. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 747. (consideration: CR H5658-5681; text of measure as reported in House: CR H5658-5659)

  14. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 747 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6169 and H.R. 8. H.R. 6169 is accorded 3 hours of general debate and H.R. 8 is accorded 1 hour of general debate. For H.R. 6169, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of the report is in order and shall be debatable for 20 minutes. For H.R. 8, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part B is made in order and shall be debatable for 20 minutes. Section 3 provides that on any legislative day from August 3, 2012 through September 7, 2012: (a) the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; (b) the Chair may adjourn the House to meet at a date and time within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution; and (c) bills and resolutions introduced shall be numbered, listed in the Congressional Record, and when printed shall bear the date of introduction, but may be referred at a later time.

  15. Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 153.

  16. Reported by the Committee on Rules. H. Rept. 112-629.

  17. Reported by the Committee on Rules. H. Rept. 112-629.

  18. Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

  19. Introduced in House

  20. 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

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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.6169 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
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.6169 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
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.6169 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
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.6169 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