To require that the Government give equal priority to payment of social security benefits and payment of all obligations on the debt held by the public in the event that the debt limit is reached.

SA 113. Mr. VITTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 112 proposed by Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Vitter) to the bill S. 23, to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of the amendment, add the following:

(c) Prioritize Payment of Social Security Benefits.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), in the event that the debt of the United States Government, as so defined, reaches the statutory limit, the authority described in subsection (b) and the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly old-age, survivors', and disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act shall be given equal priority over all other obligations incurred by the Government of the United States.