Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to advance responsible policies.
H. Res. 278 is a House Rules resolution that sets the terms for considering H.R. 185, a bill described as “to advance responsible policies.” The resolution speeds up floor consideration, waives typical points of order, and adopts a substitute amendment that adds a temporary budgetary constraint: any reconciliation bill or related measure cannot reduce Medicaid enrollment/benefits or SNAP eligibility/benefits. This limitation is time-limited, expiring January 20, 2029. The resolution also requires a timely transmission to the Senate and includes standard rules about debate and motion to recommit, with certain procedural exceptions. In short, it both accelerates consideration of H.R. 185 and imposes a temporary protection for two major social programs from potential budget cuts tied to reconciliation measures.
Key Points
- 1What the resolution does for H.R. 185: It immediately provides for consideration of H.R. 185 in the House, waives points of order against its consideration, treats the amendment in the nature of a substitute as adopted, and sets a limited debate (one hour) plus one motion to recommit.
- 2Amendment in the nature of a substitute: The substitute adds a new Section 310(h) to the Congressional Budget Act, prohibiting the House or Senate from considering any reconciliation bill or related budget measure that would cut Medicaid enrollment/benefits or SNAP eligibility/benefits. This is a temporary constraint.
- 3Sunset provision: The limitation on cuts to Medicaid and SNAP expires on January 20, 2029, meaning the protection is not permanent.
- 4Conforming budget rule change: Section 313(b)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act is amended to reflect the new sunset and enforcement language, ensuring that if a measure would violate the new limitation, it cannot proceed.
- 5Administrative steps: The Clerk must transmit to the Senate a message that the House has passed H.R. 185 within one week of passage, reflecting the rapid, streamlined process intended by this resolution.