| TRAFICANT, James A., Jr., |
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1998
Washington, D.C. – The House today approved an amendment authored by U. S. Rep. James A. Traficant, Jr. (D–OH) to require an annual report on the impact on the U.S. economy of legislation to limit unfunded federal mandates on the private sector. The amendment was unanimously approved by the House on a voice vote during debate over legislation to make it more difficult for Congress to impose unfunded mandates on the private sector.
The House is currently debating the Mandates Information Act which extends to the private sector comparable procedural limitations currently placed on legislation imposing federal mandates on state or local governments. Specifically, the bill requires congressional committees to include in their reports on legislation detailed information on potential private sector mandates in excess of $100 million that result from the legislation. The bill also provides for parliamentary procedures to block Congress from considering legislation which contains such private sector mandates.
Traficant's amendment requires the Congressional Budget Office
to report to Congress each year on the economic impact of the bill on U.S.
employment and businesses.
The House is expected to complete consideration of the Mandates Information
Act later tonight.