HCON 290 RFS
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 290
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 27, 2000
Received and referred to the Committee on the Budget
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States
Government for fiscal year 2001, revising the congressional budget for the
United States Government for fiscal year 2000, and setting forth appropriate
budgetary levels for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005.
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
SECTION 1. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001.
The Congress declares that the concurrent resolution on the budget for
fiscal year 2000 is hereby revised and replaced and that this is the
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2001 and that the
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2002 through 2005 are hereby set
forth.
SEC. 2. RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS.
The following budgetary levels are appropriate for each of fiscal years
2000 through 2005:
(1) FEDERAL REVENUES- For purposes of the enforcement of this
resolution:
(A) The recommended levels of Federal revenues are as
follows:
Fiscal year 2000: $1,465,500,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $1,504,800,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $1,549,400,000,000.
Fiscal year 2003: $1,598,500,000,000.
Fiscal year 2004: $1,650,600,000,000.
Fiscal year 2005: $1,719,100,000,000.
(B) The amounts by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues
should be reduced are as follows:
Fiscal year 2001: $10,000,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $22,000,000,000.
Fiscal year 2003: $31,000,000,000.
Fiscal year 2004: $42,000,000,000.
Fiscal year 2005: $45,000,000,000.
(2) NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY- For purposes of the enforcement of this
resolution, the appropriate levels of total new budget authority are as
follows:
Fiscal year 2000: $1,478,300,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $1,524,100,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $1,557,800,000,000.
Fiscal year 2003: $1,603,900,000,000.
Fiscal year 2004: $1,653,400,000,000.
Fiscal year 2005: $1,712,200,000,000.
(3) BUDGET OUTLAYS- For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution,
the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are as follows:
Fiscal year 2000: $1,460,500,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $1,490,700,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $1,536,900,000,000.
Fiscal year 2003: $1,581,800,000,000.
Fiscal year 2004: $1,630,500,000,000.
Fiscal year 2005: $1,689,200,000,000.
(4) SURPLUSES- For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the
amounts of the surpluses are as follows:
Fiscal year 2000: $5,000,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $14,100,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $12,500,000,000.
Fiscal year 2003: $16,700,000,000.
Fiscal year 2004: $20,100,000,000.
Fiscal year 2005: $29,900,000,000.
(5) PUBLIC DEBT- The appropriate levels of the public debt are as
follows:
Fiscal year 2000: $5,640,300,000,000.
Fiscal year 2001: $5,710,600,000,000.
Fiscal year 2002: $5,787,300,000,000.
Fiscal year 2003: $5,869,900,000,000.
Fiscal year 2004: $5,944,300,000,000.
Fiscal year 2005: $6,007,800,000,000.
SEC. 3. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES.
The Congress determines and declares that the appropriate levels of new
budget authority and budget outlays for fiscal years 2000 through 2005 for
each major functional category are:
(1) National Defense (050):
(A) New budget authority, $288,900,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $282,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $306,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $297,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $309,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $302,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $315,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $309,400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $323,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $317,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $331,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $328,100,000,000.
(2) International Affairs (150):
(A) New budget authority, $20,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $19,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $17,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $19,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $17,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $18,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $18,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $18,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,800,000,000.
(3) General Science, Space, and Technology (250):
(A) New budget authority, $19,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $18,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $20,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $19,400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $20,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $20,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $20,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $20,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $20,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $20,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $21,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $20,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $1,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $1,200,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$900,000,000.
(5) Natural Resources and Environment (300):
(A) New budget authority, $24,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $24,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $25,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $24,800,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $25,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $25,200,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $25,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $25,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $35,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $34,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $19,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $18,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $17,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $17,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $15,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,200,000,000.
(7) Commerce and Housing Credit (370):
(A) New budget authority, $7,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $3,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $6,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $8,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $5,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $9,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $4,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $8,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $9,600,000,000.
(8) Transportation (400):
(A) New budget authority, $54,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $46,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $59,200,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $50,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $57,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $52,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $58,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $54,800,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $58,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $55,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $58,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $55,100,000,000.
(9) Community and Regional Development (450):
(A) New budget authority, $11,200,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $10,800,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $9,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $11,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $8,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $9,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $8,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $8,800,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $8,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $8,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $8,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $7,800,000,000.
(10) Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services (500):
(A) New budget authority, $57,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $61,400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $72,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $69,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $74,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $72,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $75,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $73,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $76,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $73,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $77,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $74,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $159,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $152,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $169,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $167,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $179,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $177,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $191,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $190,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $205,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $205,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $221,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $220,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $199,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $199,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $215,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $216,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $221,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $221,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $239,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $239,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $255,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $255,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $278,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $278,700,000,000.
(13) Income Security (600):
(A) New budget authority, $238,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $248,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $252,200,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $254,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $263,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $264,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $272,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $273,400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $281,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $283,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $294,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $295,900,000,000.
(14) Social Security (650):
(A) New budget authority, $14,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $14,900,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $15,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $16,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $17,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $17,400,000,000.
(15) Veterans Benefits and Services (700):
(A) New budget authority, $46,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $45,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $47,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $47,400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $49,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $48,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $50,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $50,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $52,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $51,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $55,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $54,900,000,000.
(16) Administration of Justice (750):
(A) New budget authority, $27,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $28,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $28,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $28,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $27,800,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $28,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $27,900,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $27,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $28,200,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $27,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $28,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $28,100,000,000.
(17) General Government (800):
(A) New budget authority, $13,900,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $13,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $284,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $284,600,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $288,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $288,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $290,000,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $290,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $285,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $285,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $280,900,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $280,900,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $275,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $275,400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, $8,500,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $11,500,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$4,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$8,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$2,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$1,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$2,600,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$2,200,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$4,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$4,000,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$4,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$4,300,000,000.
(20) Undistributed Offsetting Receipts (950):
(A) New budget authority, -$34,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$34,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$38,400,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$38,400,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$41,300,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$41,300,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$40,700,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$40,700,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$38,100,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$38,100,000,000.
(A) New budget authority, -$39,200,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$39,200,000,000.
SEC. 4. RECONCILIATION.
(a) LEGISLATION PROVIDING $150 BILLION IN TAX RELIEF OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD-
The House Committee on Ways and Means shall report to the House a
reconciliation bill--
(1) not later than May 26, 2000;
(2) not later than June 23, 2000;
(3) not later than July 28, 2000; and
(4) not later than September 22, 2000,
that consists of changes in laws within its jurisdiction sufficient to
reduce the total level of revenues by not more than: $10,000,000,000 for
fiscal year 2001, and $150,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2001
through 2005.
(b) SUBMISSIONS REGARDING DEBT HELD BY THE PUBLIC- The House Committee on
Ways and Means shall report to the House a reconciliation bill--
(1) not later than May 26, 2000, that consists of changes in laws within
its jurisdiction sufficient to reduce the debt held by the public by
$10,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
(2) not later than September 22, 2000, that consists of changes in laws
within its jurisdiction sufficient to reduce the debt held by the public by
not more than $20,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.
SEC. 5. LOCK-BOX FOR SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUSES.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--
(1) under the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, the Social Security trust
funds are off-budget for purposes of the President's budget submission and
the concurrent resolution on the budget;
(2) the Social Security trust funds have been running surpluses for 17
years;
(3) these surpluses have been used to implicitly finance the general
operations of the Federal Government;
(4) in fiscal year 2001, the Social Security surplus will be $166
billion;
(5) this resolution balances the Federal budget without counting the
Social Security surpluses;
(6) the only way to ensure that Social Security surpluses are not
diverted for other purposes is to balance the budget exclusive of such
surpluses; and
(7) Congress and the President should take such steps as are necessary
to ensure that future budgets are balanced excluding the surpluses generated
by the Social Security trust funds.
(1) IN GENERAL- It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives
or the Senate to consider any revision to this resolution or a concurrent
resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2002, or any amendment thereto or
conference report thereon, that sets forth a deficit for any fiscal
year.
(2) DEFICIT LEVELS- For purposes of this subsection, a deficit shall be
the level (if any) set forth in the most recently agreed to concurrent
resolution on the budget for that fiscal year pursuant to section 301(a)(3)
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(c) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that
legislation should be enacted in this session of Congress that would enforce
the reduction in debt held by the public assumed in this resolution by the
imposition of a statutory limit on such debt or other appropriate means.
SEC. 6. DEBT REDUCTION LOCK-BOX.
(a) POINT OF ORDER- It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any reported bill or joint
resolution, or any amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that would
cause a surplus for fiscal year 2001 to be less than the level (as adjusted
for reconciliation or other tax-related legislation, Medicare, or agriculture
as considered pursuant to section 4, 7, 8(a) or (c), 9, 10, 11, or 12) set
forth in section 2(4) for that fiscal year.
(b) SPECIAL RULE- The level of the surplus for purposes of subsection (a)
shall take into account amounts adjusted under section 314(a)(2)(B) or (C) of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
SEC. 7. SPECIAL PROCEDURES TO SAFEGUARD TAX RELIEF.
(a) ADJUSTMENTS TO PRESERVE SURPLUSES- Upon the reporting of a
reconciliation bill by the Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to section
4(a) or, the offering of an amendment to, or the submission of a conference
report on, H.R. 3081, H.R. 6, or H.R. 2990, whichever occurs first, the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House shall reduce to zero the
amounts by which aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be reduced as set
forth in section 2(1)(B) (and make all other appropriate conforming
adjustments).
(b) ADJUSTMENTS FOR REVENUE BILLS- After making the adjustments referred
to in paragraph (1), and whenever the Committee on Ways and Means reports any
reconciliation bill pursuant to section 4(a) (or an amendment thereto is
offered or a conference report thereon is submitted) or an amendment to H.R.
3081, H.R. 6, or H.R. 2990 is offered or a conference report thereon is
submitted after the date of adoption of this resolution, the chairman of the
Committee on the Budget of the House shall increase the levels by which
Federal revenues should be reduced by the reduction in revenue caused by such
measure for each applicable year or period, but not to exceed, after taking
into account any other bill or joint resolution enacted during this session of
the One Hundred Sixth Congress that causes a reduction in revenues for such
year or period, $10,000,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and $150,000,000,000 for
the period of fiscal years 2001 through 2005 (and make all other appropriate
conforming adjustments).
SEC. 8. RESERVE FUND PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL $50 BILLION FOR ADDITIONAL TAX
RELIEF AND DEBT REDUCTION.
(a) ADDITIONAL TAX RELIEF AND DEBT REDUCTION- Whenever the Committee on
Ways and Means reports any reconciliation bill pursuant to section 4(a) (or an
amendment thereto is offered or a conference report thereon is submitted), or
an amendment to H.R. 3081, H.R. 2990, or to H.R. 6 is offered or a conference
report thereon is submitted after the date of adoption of this resolution
(after taking into account any other bill or joint resolution enacted during
this session of the One Hundred Sixth Congress that would cause a reduction in
revenues for fiscal year 2001 or the period of fiscal years 2001 through 2005)
that would cause the level by which Federal revenues should be reduced, as set
forth in section 2(1)(B) for such fiscal year or for such period, as adjusted,
to be exceeded, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House may
increase the levels by which Federal revenues should be reduced by the amount
exceeding such level resulting from such measure, but not to exceed
$5,155,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and $50,000,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2001 through 2005 (and make all other appropriate conforming
adjustments, including reconciliation instructions set forth in section
4(a)).
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON ADDITIONAL HEALTH-RELATED TAX RELIEF- It is
the sense of the Congress that the reserve fund set forth in subsection (a)
assumes $446,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and $4,352,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2001 through 2005 for health-related tax provisions comparable to
those contained in H.R. 2990 (as passed the House).
(c) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON FEDERAL EMPLOYEES BENEFIT PACKAGE- It is the
sense of the Congress that the reserve fund set forth in subsection (a)
assumes $17,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 and $107,000,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2001 through 2005 for legislation that permits Federal employees
to immediately participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.
SEC. 9. RESERVE FUND FOR AUGUST UPDATE REVISION OF BUDGET SURPLUSES.
(a) REPORTING A SURPLUS- If the Congressional Budget Office report
referred to in subsection (c) projects an increase in the surplus for fiscal
year 2000, fiscal year 2001, and the period of fiscal years 2001 through 2005
over the corresponding levels set forth in its March 2000 economic and budget
forecast for fiscal year 2001, submitted pursuant to section 202(e)(1) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget
of the House may make the adjustments as provided in subsection (b).
(b) ADJUSTMENTS- Whenever the Committee on Ways and Means reports any
reconciliation bill pursuant to section 4(a) (or an amendment thereto is
offered or a conference report thereon is submitted), or an amendment to H.R.
3081, H.R. 6, or H.R. 2990 is offered or a conference report thereon is
submitted after the date of adoption of this resolution that (after taking
into account any other bill or joint resolution enacted during this session of
the One Hundred Sixth Congress that would cause a reduction in revenues for
such year or period) would cause the level by which Federal revenues should be
reduced, as set forth in section 2(1)(B) for fiscal year 2001 or for the
period of fiscal years 2001 through 2005, as adjusted, to be exceeded, the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House may increase the levels
by which Federal revenues should be reduced by the amount exceeding such level
resulting from such measure for each applicable year or period (or for fiscal
year 2000 may increase the level of the surplus and make all other appropriate
conforming adjustments, including reconciliation instructions set forth in
section 4(a)), but not to exceed the increase in the surplus for such year or
period in the report referred to in subsection (a).
(c) CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE UPDATED BUDGET FORECAST FOR FISCAL YEAR
2001- The report referred to in subsection (a) is the Congressional Budget
Office updated budget forecast for fiscal year 2001.
SEC. 10. RESERVE FUND FOR MEDICARE.
Whenever the Committee on Ways and Means or Committee on Commerce of the
House reports a bill or joint resolution, or an amendment thereto is offered
(in the House), or a conference report thereon is submitted that reforms the
Medicare Program and provides coverage for prescription drugs, the chairman of
the Committee on the Budget may increase the aggregates and allocations of new
budget authority (and outlays resulting therefrom) by the amount provided by
that measure for that purpose, but not to exceed $2,000,000,000 in new budget
authority and outlays for fiscal year 2001 and $40,000,000,000 in new budget
authority and outlays for the period of fiscal years 2001 through 2005 (and
make all other appropriate conforming adjustments).
SEC. 11. RESERVE FUND FOR AGRICULTURE IN FISCAL YEAR 2000.
Whenever the Committee on Agriculture of the House reports a bill or joint
resolution, or an amendment thereto is offered (in the House), or a conference
report thereon is submitted that provides income support to owners and
producers of farms, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may increase
the allocation of new budget authority and outlays to that committee for
fiscal year 2000 by the amount of new budget authority (and the outlays
resulting therefrom) provided by that measure for that purpose not to exceed
$6,000,000,000 in new budget authority and outlays for fiscal year 2000, $0 in
new budget authority and outlays for the period of fiscal years 2001 through
2004, and $6,000,000,000 in new budget authority and outlays for the period of
fiscal years 2000 through 2004 (and make all other appropriate conforming
adjustments).
SEC. 12. RESERVE FUND FOR AGRICULTURE IN FISCAL YEAR 2001.
Whenever the Committee on Agriculture of the House reports a bill or joint
resolution, or an amendment thereto is offered (in the House), or a conference
report thereon is submitted that provides risk management or income assistance
for agricultural producers, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may
increase the allocation of new budget authority and outlays to that committee
by the amount of new budget authority (and the outlays resulting therefrom) if
such legislation does not exceed $1,355,000,000 in new budget authority and
$595,000,000 in outlays for fiscal year 2001 and $8,359,000,000 in new budget
authority and $7,223,000,000 in outlays for the period of fiscal years 2001
through 2005 (and make all other appropriate conforming adjustments).
SEC. 13. APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ALLOCATIONS AND
AGGREGATES.
(a) APPLICATION- Any adjustments of allocations and aggregates made
pursuant to section 7(b), 8(a) or (c), 9, 10, 11, or 12 for any measure
shall--
(1) apply while that measure is under consideration;
(2) take effect upon the enactment of that measure; and
(3) be published in the Congressional Record as soon as
practicable.
(b) EFFECT OF CHANGED ALLOCATIONS AND AGGREGATES- Revised allocations and
aggregates resulting from these adjustments shall be considered for the
purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as allocations and aggregates
contained in this resolution.
(c) BUDGET COMMITTEE DETERMINATIONS- For purposes of this resolution--
(1) the levels of new budget authority, outlays, direct spending, new
entitlement authority, revenues, deficits, and surpluses for a fiscal year
or period of fiscal years shall be determined on the basis of estimates made
by the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives or the
Senate, as applicable; and
(2) such chairman, as applicable, may make any other necessary
adjustments to such levels to carry out this resolution.
SEC. 14. SENSE OF THE HOUSE ON WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.
(a) FINDINGS- The House finds that--
(1) while the budget may be in balance, it continues to be ridden with
waste, fraud, and abuse;
(2) just last month, auditors documented more than $19,000,000,000 in
improper payments each year by such agencies as the Agency of International
Development, the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security
Administration, and the Department of Defense;
(3) the General Accounting Office (GAO) recently reported that the
financial management practices of some Federal agencies are so poor that it
is unable to determine the full extent of improper Government payments;
and
(4) the GAO now lists a record number of 25 Federal programs that are at
`high risk' of waste, fraud, and abuse.
(b) SENSE OF THE HOUSE- It is the sense of the House that the Committee on
the Budget has created task forces to address this issue and that the
President should take immediate steps to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse within
the Federal Government and report on such actions to the Congress and that the
resolution should include reconciliation directives to the appropriate
committees of jurisdiction to dedicate the resulting savings to debt reduction
and tax relief.
SEC. 15. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON PROVIDING ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO THE
CLASSROOM.
(a) FINDINGS- The Congress finds that--
(1) strengthening America's public schools while respecting State and
local control is critically important to the future of our children and our
Nation;
(2) education is a local responsibility, a State priority, and a
national concern;
(3) a partnership with the Nation's governors, parents, teachers, and
principals must take place in order to strengthen public schools and foster
educational excellence;
(4) the consolidation of various Federal education programs will benefit
our Nation's children, parents, and teachers by sending more dollars
directly to the classroom; and
(5) our Nation's children deserve an educational system that will
provide opportunities to excel.
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) Congress should enact legislation that would consolidate 31 Federal
K-12 education programs; and
(2) the Department of Education, the States, and local educational
agencies should work together to ensure that not less than 95 percent of all
funds appropriated for the purpose of carrying out elementary and secondary
education programs administered by the Department of Education is spent for
our children in their classrooms.
SEC. 16. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING EMERGENCY SPENDING.
It is the sense of the Congress that, as a part of a comprehensive reform
of the budget process, the Committees on the Budget should develop a
definition of, and a process for, funding emergencies consistent with the
applicable provisions of H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act
of 1999, that could be incorporated into the Rules of the House of
Representatives and the Standing Rules of the Senate.
SEC. 17. SENSE OF THE HOUSE ON ESTIMATES OF THE IMPACT OF REGULATIONS ON THE
PRIVATE SECTOR.
(a) FINDINGS- The House finds that--
(1) the Federal regulatory system sometimes adversely affects many
Americans and businesses by imposing financial burdens with little
corresponding public benefit;
(2) currently, Congress has no general mechanism for assessing the
financial impact of regulatory activities on the private sector;
(3) Congress is ultimately responsible for making sure agencies act in
accordance with congressional intent and, while the executive branch is
responsible for promulgating regulations, Congress should curb ineffective
regulations by using its oversight and regulatory powers; and
(4) a variety of reforms have been suggested to increase congressional
oversight over regulatory activity, including directing the President to
prepare an annual accounting statement containing several cost/benefit
analyses, recommendations to reform inefficient regulatory programs, and an
identification and analysis of duplications and inconsistencies among such
programs.
(b) SENSE OF THE HOUSE- It is the sense of the House that the House should
reclaim its role as reformer and take the first step toward curbing
inefficient regulatory activity by passing legislation authorizing the
Congressional Budget Office to prepare regular estimates on the impact of
proposed Federal regulations on the private sector.
SEC. 18. SENSE OF THE HOUSE ON BIENNIAL BUDGET.
It is the sense of the House that there is a wide range of views on the
advisability of biennial budgeting and this issue should be considered only
within the context of comprehensive budget process reform.
SEC. 19. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND PRESERVING
HOME HEALTH SERVICES FOR ALL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES.
(a) ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE-
(1) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--
(A) 44.4 million Americans are currently without health insurance, and
that this number is expected to rise to nearly 60 million people in the
next 10 years;
(B) the cost of health insurance continues to rise, a key factor in
increasing the number of uninsured; and
(C) there is a consensus that working Americans and their families
will suffer from reduced access to health insurance.
(2) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE-
It is the sense of the Congress that access to affordable health care
coverage for all Americans is a priority of the 106th Congress.
(b) PRESERVING HOME HEALTH SERVICE FOR ALL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES-
(1) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--
(A) the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 reformed Medicare home health care
spending by instructing the Health Care Financing Administration to
implement a prospective payment system and instituted an interim payment
system to achieve savings;
(B) the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act,
1999, reformed the interim payment system to increase reimbursements to
low-cost providers and delayed the automatic 15 percent payment reduction
until after the first year of the implementation of the prospective
payment system; and
(C) patients whose care is more extensive and expensive than the
typical Medicare patient do not receive supplemental payments in the
interim payment system but will receive special protection in the home
health care prospective payment system.
(2) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON ACCESS TO HOME HEALTH CARE- It is the sense
of the Congress that--
(A) Congress recognizes the importance of home health care for seniors
and disabled citizens;
(B) Congress and the Administration should work together to maintain
quality care for patients whose care is more extensive and expensive than
the typical Medicare patient, including the sickest and frailest Medicare
beneficiaries, while home health care agencies operate in the interim
payment system; and
(C) Congress and the Administration should work together to avoid the
implementation of the 15 percent reduction in the prospective payment
system and ensured timely implementation of that system.
SEC. 20. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING MEDICARE+CHOICE
PROGRAMS/REIMBURSEMENT RATES.
It is the sense of the Congress that the Medicare+Choice regional
disparity among reimbursement rates is unfair, and that full funding of the
Medicare+Choice program is a priority as Congress deals with any Medicare
reform legislation.
SEC. 21. SENSE OF THE HOUSE ON DIRECTING THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE TO
ACCEPT NEGATIVE NUMBERS IN FARM INCOME AVERAGING.
(a) FINDINGS- The House finds that--
(1) farmers' and ranchers' incomes vary widely from year-to-year due to
uncontrollable markets and unpredictable weather;
(2) in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Congress enacted 3-year farm
income averaging to protect agricultural producers from excessive tax rates
in profitable years;
(3) last year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proposed final
regulations for averaging farm income which fail to make clear that taxable
income in a given year may be a negative number; and
(4) this IRS interpretation can result in farmers having to pay
additional taxes during years in which they experience a loss in
income.
(b) SENSE OF THE HOUSE- It is the sense of the House that during this
session of the 106th Congress, legislation should be considered to direct the
Internal Revenue Service to count any net loss of income in determining the
proper rate of taxation.
SEC. 22. SENSE OF THE HOUSE REGARDING THE STABILIZATION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL
PAYMENTS TO STATES, COUNTIES, AND BOROUGHS.
It is the sense of the House that Federal revenue-sharing payments to
States, counties, and boroughs pursuant to the Act of May 23, 1908 (35 Stat.
260; 16 U.S.C. 500), the Act of March 1, 1911 (36 Stat. 963; 16 U.S.C. 500),
the Act of August 28, 1937 (chapter 876; 50 Stat. 875; 43 U.S.C. 1181f), the
Act of May 24, 1939 (chapter 144; 53 Stat. 753; 43 U.S.C. 1181f-1 et seq.),
and sections 13982 and 13983 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
(Public Law 103-66; 16 U.S.C. 500 note; 43 U.S.C. 1181f note) should be
stabilized and maintained for the long-term benefit of schools, roads, public
services, and communities, and that providing such permanent, stable funding
is a priority of the 106th Congress.
SEC. 23. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION.
(a) FINDINGS- The Congress finds that--
(1) the year 2000 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the National Science
Foundation;
(2) the National Science Foundation is the largest supporter of basic
research in the Federal Government;
(3) the National Science Foundation is the second largest supporter of
university-based research;
(4) research conducted by the grantees of the National Science
Foundation has led to innovations that have dramatically improved the
quality of life of all Americans;
(5) grants made by the National Science Foundation have been a crucial
factor in the development of important technologies that Americans take for
granted, such as lasers, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Doppler Radar, and the
Internet;
(6) because basic research funded by the National Science Foundation is
high-risk, cutting edge, fundamental, and may not produce tangible benefits
for over a decade, the Federal Government is uniquely suited to support such
research; and
(7) the National Science Foundation's focus on peer-reviewed merit based
grants represents a model for research agencies across the Federal
Government.
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that the
function 250 (Basic Science) levels assume an amount of funding which ensures
that the National Science Foundation is a priority in the resolution;
recognizing the National Science Foundation's critical role in funding basic
research, which leads to the innovations that assure the Nation's economic
future, and in cultivating America's intellectual infrastructure.
SEC. 24. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.
It is the sense of the Congress that the Medicare Payment Advisory
Commission continue to carefully monitor the Medicare skilled nursing benefit
to determine if payment rates are sufficient to provide quality care, and that
if reform is recommended, Congress should pass legislation as quickly as
possible to assure quality skilled nursing care.
SEC. 25. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON SPECIAL EDUCATION.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--
(1) all children deserve a quality education, including children with
disabilities;
(2) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides that the
Federal, State, and local governments are to share in the expense of
educating children with disabilities and commits the Federal Government to
pay up to 40 percent of the national average per pupil expenditure for
children with disabilities;
(3) the high cost of educating children with disabilities and the
Federal Government's failure to fully meet its obligation under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act stretches limited State and
local education funds, creating difficulty in providing a quality education
to all students, including children with disabilities;
(4) the current level of Federal funding to States and localities under
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is contrary to the goal of
ensuring that children with disabilities receive a quality education;
(5) the Federal Government has failed to appropriate 40 percent of the
national average per pupil expenditure per child with a disability as
required under the Individuals with Disabilities Act to assist States and
localities to educate children with disabilities; and
(6) the levels in function 500 (Education) for fiscal year 2001 assume
sufficient discretionary budget authority to accommodate fiscal year 2001
appropriations for IDEA at least $2,000,000,000 above such funding levels
appropriated in fiscal year 2000.
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) Congress and the President should increase fiscal year 2001 funding
for programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Act by at least
$2,000,000,000 above fiscal year 2000 appropriated levels;
(2) Congress and the President should give programs under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act the highest priority among
Federal elementary and secondary education programs by meeting the
commitment to fund the maximum State grant allocation for educating children
with disabilities under such Act prior to authorizing or appropriating funds
for any new education initiative;
(3) Congress and the President may consider, if new or increased funding
is authorized or appropriated for any elementary and secondary education
initiative that directs funds to local educational agencies, providing the
flexibility in such authorization or appropriation necessary to allow local
educational agencies the authority to use such funds for programs under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
(4) if a local educational agency chooses to utilize the authority under
section 613(a)(2)(C)(i) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
to treat as local funds up to 20 percent of the amount of funds the agency
receives under part B of such Act that exceeds the amount it received under
that part for the previous fiscal year, then the agency should use those
local funds to provide additional funding for any Federal, State, or local
education program.
SEC. 26. ASSUMED FUNDING LEVELS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
It is the sense of the Congress that function 500 (Education) levels
assume at least a $2,000,000,000 increase in fiscal year 2001 over the current
fiscal year to reflect the commitment of Congress to appropriate 40 percent of
the national per pupil expenditure for children with disabilities by a date
certain.
SEC. 27. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PAY RAISE.
It is the sense of the Congress that the pay increase for Federal
employees in January 2001 should be at least 3.7 percent.
SEC. 28. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING HCFA DRAFT GUIDELINES.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--
(1) on February 15, 2000, the Health Care Financing Administration in
the Department of Health and Human Services issued a draft Medicaid
School-Based Administrative Claiming (MAC) Guide; and
(2) in its introduction, the stated purpose of the draft MAC guide is to
provide information for schools, State medicaid agencies, HCFA staff, and
other interested parties on the existing requirements for claiming Federal
funds under the Medicaid Program for the costs of administrative activities,
such as Medicaid outreach, that are performed in the school setting
associated with school-based health services programs.
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) many school-based health programs provide a broad range of services
that are covered by Medicaid, affording access to care for children who
otherwise might well go without needed services;
(2) such programs also can play a powerful role in identifying and
enrolling children who are eligible for Medicaid, as well as the State
Children's Health Insurance programs;
(3) undue administrative burdens may be placed on school districts and
States and deter timely application approval;
(4) the Health Care Financing Administration should substantially revise
or abandon the current draft MAC guide because it appears to promulgate new
rules that place excessive administrative burdens on participating school
districts;
(5) the goal of the revised guide should be to encourage the appropriate
use of Medicaid school-based services without undue administrative burdens;
and
(6) the best way to ensure the continued viability of Medicaid
school-based services is to guarantee that the guidelines are fair and
responsible.
SEC. 29. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON ASSET-BUILDING FOR THE WORKING POOR.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--
(1) 33 percent of all American households and 60 percent of African
American households have either no financial assets or negative financial
assets;
(2) 46.9 percent of children in America live in households with no
financial assets, including 40 percent of Caucasian children and 75 percent
of African American children;
(3) in order to provide low-income families with more tools for
empowerment, incentives, including individual development accounts, are
demonstrating success at empowering low-income workers;
(5) middle and upper income Americans currently benefit from tax
incentives for building assets; and
(6) the Federal Government should utilize the Federal tax code to
provide low-income Americans with incentives to work and build assets in
order to escape poverty permanently.
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that the
provisions of this resolution assume that Congress should modify the Federal
tax law to include Individual Development Account provisions in order to
encourage low-income workers and their families to save for buying a first
home, starting a business, obtaining an education, or taking other measures to
prepare for the future.
SEC. 30. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING THE NATION'S
EMERGENCY FIRST-RESPONDERS.
(a) FINDINGS- The Congress finds that--
(1) over 1.2 million men and women work as fire and emergency services
personnel in 32,000 fire and emergency medical services departments across
the Nation;
(2) over 80 percent of those who serve do so as volunteers;
(3) the Nation's firefighters responded to more than 18 million calls in
1998, including over 1.7 million fires;
(4) an average of 100 firefighters per year lose their lives in the
course of their duties; and
(5) the Federal Government has a role in protecting the health and
safety of the Nation's fire fighting personnel.
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) recognizing the Nation's firefighters and emergency services crucial
role in preserving and protecting life and property, such Federal assistance
as low-interest loan programs, community development block grant reforms,
emergency radio spectrum reallocations, and volunteer fire assistance
programs, should be considered; and
(2) additional resources should be set aside for such assistance.
SEC. 31. ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT OF BUDGETARY LIMITS.
(a) PROHIBITION ON USE OF DIRECTED SCOREKEEPING- (1) It shall not be in
order in the House to consider any reported bill or joint resolution, or
amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that contains a directed
scorekeeping provision.
(2) As used in this subsection, the term `directed scorekeeping' means
directing the Congressional Budget Office or the Office of Management and
Budget to estimate any provision providing discretionary new budget authority
in a bill or joint resolution making general appropriations for a fiscal year
for budgetary enforcement purposes.
(b) PROHIBITION ON USE OF ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS- (1) It shall not be in
order in the House to consider any reported bill or joint resolution, or
amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that would cause the total
level of discretionary advance appropriations provided for fiscal years after
2001 to exceed $23 billion (which represents the total level of advance
appropriations for fiscal year 2001).
(2) As used in this subsection, the term `advance appropriation' means any
discretionary new budget authority in a bill or joint resolution making
general appropriations for fiscal year 2001 that first becomes available for
any fiscal year after 2001.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- This section shall cease to have any force or effect
on January 1, 2001.
Passed the House of Representatives March 24 (legislative day, March 23),
2000.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.
END