PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 117-71.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 10, 2021
Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act
This bill makes several budgetary, technical, and procedural changes, particularly in relation to Medicare and increasing the debt limit.
Specifically, the bill continues to exempt Medicare from sequestration until March 31, 2022. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)
The bill also establishes expedited Senate procedures for considering legislation to increase the debt limit. The procedures limit debate, waive points of order, and prohibit amendments. The procedures may only be used once and expire after January 16, 2022.
Additionally, the bill (1) temporarily extends other provisions under Medicare, including a payment increase under the physician fee schedule; and (2) requires any debits recorded for FY2022 on the statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) scorecards to be deducted from the scorecards for 2022 and added to the scorecards for 2023.
People & committees
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] · D–VA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 117-71.
Became Public Law No: 117-71.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 610 by Yea-Nay Vote. 59 - 35. Record Vote Number: 491. (consideration: CR S9081)
Senate roll call 491 · Individual votesResolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 610 by Yea-Nay Vote. 59 - 35. Record Vote Number: 491.(consideration: CR S9081)
Senate roll call 491 · Individual votesMotion by Senator Schumer to concur in the House amendment to S. 610 with an amendment (SA 4871) withdrawn in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Motion by Senator Schumer to refer to Senate Committee on Finance the House message to accompany S. 610 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4873) fell when cloture invoked on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 610 in Senate.
Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 610 invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 36. Record Vote Number: 490. (CR S9057)
Senate roll call 490 · Individual votesConsidered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S9053)
Motion by Senator Schumer to refer to Senate Committee on Finance the House message to accompany S. 610 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4873) made in Senate. (CR S8956)
Motion by Senator Schumer to concur in the House amendment to S. 610 with an amendment (SA 4871) made in Senate. (CR S8956)
Cloture motion on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 610 presented in Senate.
Motion by Senator Schumer to concur in the House amendment to S. 610 made in Senate. (CR S8956)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 212 (Roll no. 404). (text: CR H6929-6930)
House roll call 404 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 212 (Roll no. 404).(text: CR H6929-6930)
House roll call 404 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7222-7223)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 610, the Chair put the question on passage of S. 610 and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Brady demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on on S. 610 until a time to be announced.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 610.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5314, S. 1605 and S. 610 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule makes in order for the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on certain legislative days.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 838. (consideration: CR H6920-6927, H6927-6933)
Rule H. Res. 838 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 838 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5314, S. 1605 and S. 610 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule makes in order for the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on certain legislative days.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S5986-5987)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S5986-5987)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5985-5987; text: CR S5985-5986)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 69.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Murray with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Murray with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.610 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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