Archives of Social Security Legislation of the 112th Congress

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The following are summaries, prepared by Social Security's Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, of legislation of the 112th Congress affecting Social Security benefits and programs. The first session of the 112th Congress convened on January 3, 2011 and continues.

For additional information on legislation, you can use THOMAS, which was developed by the Library of Congress to make federal legislative information freely available to the public. You can access THOMAS at: http://thomas.loc.gov/ .

Summaries of Legislation of the 112th Congress with provisions affecting Social Security:

• On April 26, 2012, the Senate passed S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, by a vote of 62 – 37. The bill is intended to improve, sustain, and transform the United States Postal Service.
  


• On April 18, 2012, the House Ways and Means Committee approved three legislative proposals that would make changes to subsidized health care and child tax credit programs, and repeal the Social Services Block Grant.
  
  
• On April 4, 2012, the President signed S. 2038, the "Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 or Stock Act".  This enactment has been designated as Public Law 112-105.6.
  Previous action 03/23/12



• On February 22, 2012, President Obama signed H.R. 3630, the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012,” which became Public Law 112-96. The bill passed the House  on February 17, 2012 by a vote of 293-132. Later in the day it passed the Senate by a vote of 60-36.
  Previous action 12/14/11



• On February 1, 2012, the House passed H.R. 1173, the “Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2012,” by a vote of 267-159.  The bill would repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act created under Title VIII of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”  Under the law, benefits paid under the CLASS Act would be excluded from being used to determine eligibility under any Federal, State, or locally funded assistance program.  The bill now goes to the Senate for its action.
  
  



• On February 7, 2012, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1734, the "Civilian Property Realignment Act", by a vote of 259-164.  The bill was sent to the Senate where it was received and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

• On December 23, 2011, President Obama signed H.R. 3765, the “Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011,” which became Public Law 112-78.  The law extends the current payroll tax cut for two months and is similar to H.R. 3630, the “Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011,” as passed by the Senate on December 17.

• On December 7, 2011, the House passed H.R. 10, the "Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011", by a vote of 241-184. It is the third of three bills approved by the House in recent days that would revise the Federal rulemaking process.

• On December 2, 2011, the House passed H.R. 3010, the "Regulatory Accountability  Act of 2011", by a vote of 253-167. It is the second of two bills approved by the House in the last week that would revise the Federal rulemaking process.

• On December 1, 2011, the House passed H.R. 527, the "Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011", by a vote of 263-159.  The bill would amend the process that Federal agencies use to analyze and develop new regulations.  It would also require agencies to periodically determine whether existing regulations are necessary.



• On October 17, 2011, the Senate passed by voice vote S. 1721, the "SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011".  The bill would extend for only one year the refugee eligibility policy that was previously authorized for a three year period (FY 2009 through FY 2011).




• On August 2, 2011 the President signed S. 365, the "Budget Control Act of 2011" into law shortly after the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 74-26.  The House passed the bill on August 1, 2011 by a vote of 269-161.The enacted bill has been designated Public Law 112-25.

• On June 29, 2011, by a vote of 89-8, the Senate adopted S. Res. 116, a resolution to provide for expedited Senate consideration of certain nominations.  No further action is needed on this change to the Rules of the Senate.