§6249c Contracts for Which Implementing Legislation Is Needed

Summary

Gives the Secretary the power to send a bill to Congress to approve and put into law any contract, or change to a contract, that needs new legislation to work. An "implementing bill" is a bill that approves one or more contracts and includes the law changes needed to make them work. An "implementing revenue bill" is an implementing bill that includes tax or revenue changes and therefore must start in the House of Representatives. The Secretary must talk early and often with the House and Senate committees that will be affected. A contract covered by one of these bills can only take effect if the Secretary notifies both Houses at least 30 days before signing and posts that notice in the Federal Register, then sends Congress the final contract, the implementing bill, an explanation of how the bill changes existing law, and a statement saying why the contract is in the United States’ interest. The bill must become law. In the Senate, the majority leader (or designated Senators) introduces the bill and it goes to the right committee(s). Senators may not offer amendments to these bills, and they may not vote to suspend that rule. If the committee does not act within 30 days after the bill is introduced, the committee is automatically discharged and the bill goes to the calendar; the Senate must vote on the bill within 15 days after the committee reports it or is discharged. Implementing revenue bills from the House follow a similar timetable but use 15 days for committee action. Senate debate on these bills is limited to 20 hours, split evenly between majority and minority leaders, and other debatable motions are generally limited to one hour. Motions to recommit the bill are not allowed.