SENATE COULD LIMIT USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS

            During work on the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill this week, Senate Commerce- Justice-State Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-NH) is attempting to insert an amendment into that would limit the display and sale of social security numbers to the public.  The language is cited as “Amy Boyer’s Law,” named after a woman who was murdered in New Hampshire by a man who obtained her social security number and used it to locate her.

            The measure is designed to prohibit the display or sale of an individual’s social security number for commercial purposes without the consent of the individual, with certain exceptions under the Privacy Act of 1994, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  Equally important, “professional or commercial users who appropriately use [social security numbers] in the normal course or scope of their businesses for purposes of retrieval of other information” may continue to do so.

            Unfortunately, federal preemption was stripped from the bill due to White House objections.  In addition, the White House also added a “trigger” requiring the Social Security Administration to write tougher privacy laws if Congress did not act.  Without federal preemption, passage of this bill might give an enormous incentive for harmful action at the state level next year.  NRF has sent a letter to Senator Gregg and Senate leadership voicing its concerns regarding lack of preemption in the measure.       

Senate consideration of the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill is uncertain.  We will keep you informed of the progress on this issue.  If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Whitaker or Mallory Duncan at (202) 783-7971.  

 

 

CONGRESSIONAL ADJOURNMENT REMAINS ELUSIVE

 

            Congress approved a fourth Continuing Resolution (CR) this week, keeping the government running until Wednesday, October 25.  With three appropriations measures still outstanding--Labor-HHS, Foreign operations, and Commerce-Justice-State (CJS)--it remains possible Congress will be unable to complete its work before the next deadline.  However, Congressional Democrats and President Clinton refuse to support more long-term CR extensions after the Wednesday deadline. 

            Should negotiators work out compromises on all three remaining bills, the 106th Congress would adjourn on Wednesday or Thursday, three weeks after the originally scheduled adjournment date.  On a positive note for retailers, the longer negotiations on appropriations languish, the more likely Congress will complete work on bankruptcy reform legislation, a top retail priority.

 

RETAIL FACTOID

 

Total Federal Expenditures, FY1999 -                  $ 1,531,627,134,620

Current U.S. National Debt, October 19, 2000 -  $ 5,670,716,361,031

 

BANKRUPTCY MEASURE PITCHES FORWARD

 

            The Senate on Thursday voted 89 to 0 to proceed with consideration of bankruptcy reform legislation.  The measure, passed by the House in a remarkable procedural move last week, may be considered as early as Tuesday.

            The unanimous vote on the motion belies the strong opposition of a handful of Senators.  By allowing the motion to pass, opponents hope to have an opportunity to continue their attacks on the legislation during consideration of the bill.  However, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) said he was prepared to file a cloture motion, which limits debate to 30 hours, early next week if necessary.

            NRF will continue to push the Senate and the White House to pass bankruptcy reform legislation before Congress adjourns.  If you have any questions, contact Mallory Duncan or Katherine Lugar at (202) 783-7971.  

 

 

 

UPCOMING NRF MEETINGS

 

Privacy Planning Meeting - October 26, 2000, Washington, DC 

National Small Stores Institute - October 29-November 1, Nashville, TN 

International Trade Advisory Committee - November 9-10, San Francisco, CA 

Taxation Committee - November 16-18, 2000, Scottsdale, AZ

 

 

CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK

October 23 - 27

 

House:     In session.

 

Senate:     In session.

 

Washington Retail Insight is published by the National Retail Federation, 325 7th Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20004.  Please contact Michael Epstein at (202) 783-7971 or via email at epsteinm@nrf.com with comments, suggestions, or for subscription information.

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