CommonHall

Jump to

  • PageFind my representativesFrom your address
  • PageBillsSearch and filter every bill
  • PageVotesEvery House and Senate roll call
  • PageMassachusettsLegislature and state bills
  • PageBoston City CouncilCouncilors, district map, meetings
  • PageDiscussionsHave your say

↑ ↓ to move · Enter to open · Esc to close

Discussion open: Should clergy be able to opt back in to Social Security? (H.R. 227, the Clergy Act)

H.R. 227 · 119th Congress

Clergy Act

Introduced Jan 7, 2025Policy area: Social Welfare

Read the textOn Congress.gov

Status: Passed Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Law

Latest action

: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5298)

Summary

Clergy Act

This bill establishes a two-year window for certain members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Under current law, such individuals who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an irrevocable exemption and will not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment.

The IRS must develop a plan to inform members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke prior exemptions, pursuant to the bill's changes.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service.

Actions

  1. Senate

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5298)

  2. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  3. Senate

    Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  4. Senate

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

  5. House

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  6. House

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 350 - 5 (Roll no. 139). (text: CR H3115-3116)

  7. House

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3118-3119)

  8. House

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  9. House

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 227.

  10. House

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3115-3116)

  11. House

    Mr. Carey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  12. House

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.

Show 5 earlier actions
  1. House

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.

  2. House

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.

  3. House

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  4. House

    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  5. Introduced in House