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To require the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a report containing information on extraordinary measures available when the debt of the United States Government approaches the statutory limit, and for other purposes.

12/15/2023, 4:00 PM

Summary of Bill HR 4651

Bill 118 hr 4651, also known as the "Debt Limit Extraordinary Measures Transparency Act," aims to require the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a report that provides information on the extraordinary measures that can be taken when the debt of the United States Government approaches the statutory limit. These measures are important in order to prevent the government from defaulting on its financial obligations.

The bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability in the management of the government's debt by requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to provide detailed information on the specific measures that can be taken, as well as the potential impact of these measures on the government's ability to meet its financial obligations.

In addition to requiring the report on extraordinary measures, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to the management of the government's debt. Overall, the goal of this legislation is to ensure that the government is able to effectively manage its debt and avoid defaulting on its financial obligations.

Congressional Summary of HR 4651

This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to issue a report when it uses extraordinary measures to meet federal funding obligations without issuing additional Treasury securities. 

(The term extraordinary measures generally refers to actions that Treasury may implement to allow the United States to borrow additional funds without exceeding the statutory debt limit. The measures generally include suspensions or delays of debt sales and suspensions or redemptions of investments in certain government funds.)

The bill requires Treasury to issue the report to the voting members of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, the Office of Financial Research, the House Committee on Financial Services, and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs upon notifying Congress that it has begun using extraordinary measures. The report must include  

  • a list of available extraordinary measures, stated as a dollar amount;
  • a projection of the headroom under the debt limit (i.e., the difference between the current debt limit and the projected operating cash balance of the Treasury) afforded by each extraordinary measure;
  • a projection of the date on which all available headroom afforded by the use of extraordinary measures will be exhausted, the Treasury will have an operating cash balance at or below $50 billion, the debt will be within $50 billion of reaching the limit, and Treasury will be unable to make timely payments on the debt; and
  • an attestation by the Secretary of the Treasury as to whether the debt approaching the limit is an emerging threat to U.S. financial stability. 

Current Status of Bill HR 4651

Bill HR 4651 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since July 14, 2023. Bill HR 4651 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on July 14, 2023.  Bill HR 4651's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. as of July 14, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 4651

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 4651

Primary Policy Focus

Economics and Public Finance

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 4651

To require the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a report containing information on extraordinary measures available when the debt of the United States Government approaches the statutory limit, and for other purposes.
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a report containing information on extraordinary measures available when the debt of the United States Government approaches the statutory limit, and for other purposes.

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