Is Hr 82 On The Consensus Calendar?

The Consensus Calendar is a procedural tool in the U.S. House of Representatives designed to expedite the consideration of bills that have garnered significant bipartisan support. For a bill to be placed on this calendar, it must meet specific criteria, including having at least 290 cosponsors and being pending in committee for at least 25 legislative days. This mechanism aims to facilitate the passage of legislation with broad consensus, ensuring that such bills receive timely attention on the House floor.

H.R. 82 The Social Security Fairness Act

H.R. 82, known as the Social Security Fairness Act, is a legislative proposal aimed at repealing two provisions in the Social Security Act the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions can reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive pensions from government employment not covered by Social Security. The bill seeks to eliminate these provisions, thereby restoring full Social Security benefits to affected individuals.

Placement on the Consensus Calendar

During the 117th Congress, H.R. 82 was placed on the Consensus Calendar after meeting the necessary criteria. On July 15, 2022, Representative Rodney Davis filed a motion to place the bill on the calendar, and it was assigned Calendar No. 3. The bill had over 290 cosponsors and had been pending in committee for more than 25 legislative days, fulfilling the requirements for this expedited consideration process.

Subsequent Developments

Despite its placement on the Consensus Calendar, H.R. 82 faced challenges in advancing through the legislative process. On November 5, 2024, a unanimous consent request was made to lay the bill on the table, effectively halting its progress at that time. However, this action was later vacated on December 11, 2024, allowing the bill to proceed. On November 12, 2024, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 82 by a vote of 327-75. The bill was then sent to the Senate, where it passed on December 21, 2024, with a vote of 76-20. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on January 5, 2025, marking a significant victory for proponents of Social Security fairness.

H.R. 82’s journey through the legislative process highlights the complexities and challenges of passing significant reforms. While the bill was initially placed on the Consensus Calendar to expedite its consideration, various procedural hurdles had to be overcome before it could become law. The successful passage of H.R. 82 underscores the importance of sustained advocacy and bipartisan support in achieving legislative goals.