Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to advance responsible policies.

Bill Number

H.Res. 278

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Economics and Public Finance

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-06: Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Boyle (PA). Petition No: 119-3. (<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/DischargePetition/2025050603">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)

Last Updated

2025-05-13T14:18:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution (H. Res. 278) establishes the procedural rules for the House of Representatives to consider and pass H.R. 185, a bill aimed at advancing responsible fiscal policies by protecting certain social welfare programs from budget cuts. The underlying bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to limit reductions in funding or eligibility for Medicaid (a health insurance program for low-income individuals) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, which provides food aid to low-income households).

Key Provisions

• Procedural Rules for House Consideration: Upon adoption, the House immediately debates H.R. 185. All objections to the bill's consideration or its provisions are waived. A specified substitute amendment (replacing the bill's original text) is automatically adopted, and the bill is treated as read. Debate is limited to one hour, equally divided between the Rules Committee's chair and ranking minority member (or designees). A motion to end debate and vote (previous question) is ordered, with only one motion to recommit (send back to committee) allowed.
• Waiver of Specific Rules: Certain House rules on debate and amendments (clauses 1(c) of rule XIX and 8 of rule XX) do not apply.
• Transmission to Senate: The House Clerk must send the passed bill to the Senate within one week.
• Substitute Amendment Content:
• Adds a new subsection (h) to Section 310 of the Congressional Budget Act, prohibiting the House or Senate from considering any reconciliation bill, resolution, or related amendment/conference report that:
• Reduces enrollment or benefits for Medicaid participants (under Title XIX of the Social Security Act).
• Reduces eligibility or benefits for SNAP households (under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008).
• This prohibition applies to bills tied to budget resolutions under Sections 301 or 304, or emergency deficit control measures under Section 258C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
• The prohibition expires on January 20, 2029.
• Makes a conforming change to Section 313(b)(1) of the Budget Act, specifying that violations of the new rule make provisions out of order until the expiration date.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a temporary "point of order" mechanism in the budget reconciliation process (a fast-track procedure for passing budget-related bills with limited debate and no filibuster in the Senate). Previously, reconciliation could be used to cut spending on programs like Medicaid and SNAP without such protections.
• The change is time-limited (until January 20, 2029), after which the restrictions sunset, reverting to prior law.
• Aligns with existing "Byrd Rule" protections (Section 313 of the Budget Act), which already block extraneous provisions in reconciliation, by adding this program-specific safeguard.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Congressional budget committees and the Office of Management and Budget may face constraints in proposing or reviewing fiscal legislation, requiring alternative paths (e.g., regular order bills) for any Medicaid or SNAP changes, potentially slowing budget reconciliation processes.
• On Citizens: Low-income individuals and families relying on Medicaid (about 80 million enrollees) and SNAP (about 40 million participants) gain short-term protection against federal cuts, preserving access to healthcare and food assistance amid budget debates.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this focuses on domestic U.S. social programs.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Beneficiaries: Low-income households, including children, elderly, disabled individuals, and working poor, who depend on Medicaid and SNAP for essential support.
• Legislators and Congress: House and Senate members, particularly those on budget, rules, and appropriations committees, as it limits their flexibility in reconciliation bills.
• State Governments: States administering Medicaid and SNAP, which could benefit from stable federal funding but may need to adjust if cuts are pursued outside reconciliation.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations supporting social welfare (e.g., anti-poverty nonprofits) versus fiscal conservatives seeking spending reductions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens procedural hurdles in the budget process without altering substantive law on program funding, potentially leading to more court challenges if points of order are contested. It does not infringe on Congress's constitutional power of the purse (Article I, Section 9) but shapes how that power is exercised.
• Constitutional: Aligns with the House's authority to set its own rules (Article I, Section 5), as this is a self-imposed limitation via statute.
• Political: Could polarize debates on fiscal responsibility, appealing to progressives protecting entitlements while frustrating conservatives aiming for deficit reduction through program trims. The 2029 expiration ties it to a potential change in presidential administration, influencing midterm and presidential election dynamics around social safety nets.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-06: Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Boyle (PA). Petition No: 119-3. (<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/DischargePetition/2025050603">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)
• 2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
• 2025-03-31: Submitted in House
• 2025-03-31: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to advance responsible policies. — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (3 pages)