S.Amdt. 3000

1. Adds TITLE V--SENSE OF THE SENATE at the end of the resolution

   Adds a title

   In S.Con.Res. 83 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of the Senate to change those rules (so far as they relate to that house) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as is the case of any other rule of the Senate.

   Inserted: TITLE V--SENSE OF THE SENATE

   Inserted: SEC. 501. SENSE OF THE SENATE SUPPORTING ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE ENTITLEMENT REFORM COMMISSION.

   Inserted: (a) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that there should be established a Comprehensive Entitlement Reform Commission in accordance with subsections (b) through (e).

   Inserted: (b) Purpose.--The Commission should review Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and make comprehensive recommendations to sustain the solvency and stability of these three programs for future generations.

   Inserted: (c) Duties of the Commission.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Commission should conduct a comprehensive review of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid consistent with the purpose specified in subsection (b) and should submit the report required under paragraph (2).

   Inserted: (2) Report.--

   Inserted: (A) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the selection of the 2 Co-Chairpersons and the Executive Director of the Commission, the Commission should prepare and submit a final report that contains a detailed statement of the recommendations, findings, and conclusions of the Commission to the appropriate Committees of Congress and the President.

   Inserted: (B) Public availability.--The report submitted under this paragraph should be made available to the public.

   Inserted: (d) Membership.--

   Inserted: (1) Number and appointment.--The Commission should be composed of 8 members, to be appointed as follows:

   Inserted: (A) The majority leader of the Senate should appoint 2 members.

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   Inserted: (B) The minority leader of the Senate should appoint 2 members.

   Inserted: (C) The Speaker of the House of Representatives should appoint 2 members.

   Inserted: (D) The minority leader of the House of Representatives should appoint 2 members.

   Inserted: (2) Period of appointment.--Each member should be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancies should not affect the power and duties of the Commission but should be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

   Inserted: (3) Date.--Members of the Commission should be appointed by not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

   Inserted: (4) Initial organization period.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission should develop and implement a schedule for completion of the review and report required under subsection (c).

   Inserted: (5) Co-chairpersons.--The Commission should select 2 Co-Chairpersons from among its members.

   Inserted: (6) Termination.--The Commission should terminate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Commission submits the report required under subsection (c)(2).

   Inserted: (e) Administration.--

   Inserted: (1) Quorum.--Five members of the Commission should constitute a quorum for purposes of voting, but a quorum is not required for members to meet and hold hearings.

   Inserted: (2) Meetings.--

   Inserted: (A) In general.--The Commission should meet at the call of the Co-Chairpersons or a majority of its members.

   Inserted: (B) Open meetings.--Each meeting of the Commission, other than meetings in which classified information is to be discussed, should be open to the public.

   Inserted: (3) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings and undertake such other activities as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties.

   Inserted: (4) Travel expenses.--Members should receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in performance of services for the Commission.

   Inserted: (5) Staff.--

   Inserted: (A) Executive director.--The Commission should have a staff headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director should be paid at a rate equivalent to a rate established for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, United States Code.

   Inserted: (B) Staff appointment.--With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may appoint such personnel as the Executive Director determines to be appropriate.

   Inserted: (C) Actuarial experts and consultants.--With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.

   Inserted: (D) Detail of government employees.--Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission. Any such detail should not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee.

   Inserted: (E) Other resources.--The Commission should have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information such Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties from the Library of Congress, the Chief Actuary of Social Security, the Congressional Budget Office, and other agencies and elected representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government. The Co-Chairpersons of the Commission should make requests for such access in writing when necessary.

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   At the end add the following:

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As printed