Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a point of order against legislation that cuts Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.

Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 12, 2017

Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, amendment between the chambers, or conference report that would:

result in a reduction of guaranteed Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits;

increase either the early or full retirement age for such benefits;

privatize Social Security;

result in a reduction of guaranteed benefits for individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, Medicare benefits; or

result in a reduction of benefits or eligibility for individuals enrolled in, or eligible to receive medical assistance through, a state Medicaid plan or waiver under Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs.

Allows a waiver or suspension of this rule only by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8] · D–MN

Committees

Rules Committee

0 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.

Dec 12, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Dec 12, 2017
Introduced in House
Dec 12, 2017
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 · Dec 12, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.659 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.Res.659, 115th Congress: Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a point of order against legislation that cuts Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/659

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hres659/BILLS-115hres659ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:21:59Z. 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.Res.659 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.Res.659 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.Res.659, 115th Congress: Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a point of order against legislation that cuts Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/659

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hres659/BILLS-115hres659ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:21:59Z. 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.Res.659 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.Res.659 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.Res.659, 115th Congress: Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a point of order against legislation that cuts Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/659

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hres659/BILLS-115hres659ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:21:59Z. 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.Res.659 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.Res.659 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.Res.659, 115th Congress: Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a point of order against legislation that cuts Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/659

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hres659/BILLS-115hres659ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:21:59Z. 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.Res.659 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.