Summaries of Legislation of the 107th Congress with provisions affecting Social Security:

  • On November 18, 2002, the Senate passed (with amendments) the House-passed version of H.R. 4070, the Social Security Program Protection Act of 2002.." The bill was returned to the House. No further action was taken on this bill in the 107th Congress. See also H.R. 2971 introduced in the 108th Congress.
    Previous actions 06/28/02; 04/26/02

  • P.L. 107-347 (H. R. 2458), the E-Government Act of 2002 was signed into law on December 17, 2002. This legislation establishes a broad framework that requires using Internet-based information technology to enhance citizen access to Government information.

  • P.L. 107-300 (H.R. 4878) the Improper Payments Reduction Act of 2002. was signed into law on November 26, 2002. The legislation provides for estimates and reports of improper payments by Federal agencies.
    Previous actions 10/18/02; 07/15/02; 06/26/02

  • P.L. 107-252 (H.R. 3295) the Help America Vote Act of 2002. was signed into law on October 29, 2002. The law includes provisions concerning the use of Social Security numbers for voter registration, election administration, and computerized voter registration lists.
    Previous action 04/19/02

  • P.L. 107-275 (H.R. 5542) the Black Lung Consolidation of Administrative Responsibility Act. was signed into law on November 2, 2002. The legislation transferred responsibility for administration of the Part B black lung program from SSA to DOL.

  • P. L.107-198 (H.R. 327) the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, was signed into law on June 28, 2002. Among other things, the law requires Federal agencies to establish one agency point of contact to act as a liaison with small businesses with respect to collection of information and control of paperwork; also, requires Federal agencies to make efforts to further reduce the information collection burden for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees.

  • On June 19, 2002, the Ways and Means Committee approved H.R. 4954, the Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002, by a vote of 22-16. The bill would provide a voluntary prescription drug benefit as an entitlement to Medicare beneficiaries. On July 15, 2002, the bill was placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. There was no further congressional action on this bill in the 107th Congress.

  • On May 16, 2002, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4737, the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002, by a vote of 229 to 197. The legislation reauthorizes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and makes a number of revisions in existing programs that were included in President Bush's welfare and work plan. On July 25, 2002, the bill was placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. There was no further congressional action on this bill in the 107th Congress.
    Previous action 05/07/02

  • On May 14, 2002, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4069, the Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act of 2002, by a vote of 418 to 0. On May 15, 2002, the bill was referred to the Committee on Finance. There was no further congressional action on this bill in the 107th Congress.

  • P.L. 107-171 (H.R. 2646), the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 was signed into law on May 13, 2002. The law provides Federal funding of up to $5 million for each fiscal year 2003-2007 for access and outreach pilot projects. The law also restored eligibility for food stamps for all legal immigrant children; restored food stamp eligibility for qualified alien adults who are receiving disability benefits; and provides food stamp eligibility to any otherwise eligible qualified aliens who have continuously resided in the United States for 5 years or more.

  • P. L. 107-117 (H.R. 3338) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2002 was signed into law on January 10, 2002. Of interest to SSA, the law eliminates deemed wage credits for members of the uniformed services for all years after calendar year 2001.
    Previous action 01/04/02

  • P.L. 107-116 (H.R. 3061) Making Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, HHS and Education, FY 2002 was signed into law on January 10, 2002. Of interest to SSA, the law provides that funds could be available to continue the evaluation of SSA's demonstration projects to promote Medicare buy-in programs and to identify individuals who may be eligible for Medicare cost sharing.
    Previous action 12/21/01

  • P.L. 107-90 (H.R. 10), the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Reform Act of 2001, was signed into law on December 21, 2001. The law modernizes the financing of the railroad retirement system. The 12/21/01 provisions are the same as reflected in the previous action of 12/14/01.
    Previous actions 12/14/01; 12/11/01; 08/02/01

  • On December 4, 2001, the House passed, by a vote of 408 to 0, H.R. 3391, the "Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2001". The bill would transfer responsibility for Medicare Appeals from SSA to DHHS. On December 20, 2001, the bill was referred to the Committee on Finance. There was no further congressional action on this bill in the 107th Congress.
    Previous actions 11/08/01; 10/16/01; 10/10/01

  • P.L. 107-16 (H.R. 1836) the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 was signed into law on June 7, 2001. The legislation provides for reconciliation pursuant to section 104 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2002.

  • On February 13, 2001, the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 407-2 passed H.R. 2, the Social Security and Medicare Lockbox Act of 2001. The bill would establish "points of order" or procedural rules intended to protect Social Security and Medicare trust fund surpluses. On February 15, 2001, the bill was referred jointly to the Committee on the Budget; Governmental Affairs. There was no further congressional action on this bill in the 107th Congress.

  • On March 8, 2001, the House passed H.R. 3, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001. Provisions of H.R. 3 were included in H.R. 1836, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act. H.R. 1836 became Public Law P.L. 107-16 on 6/7/2001.