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H.R. 397: Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019

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H.R. 397: Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019

116th Congress · introduced 2019-01-09 · Labor and Employment · Latest: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 390.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-01-09 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 3 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 503 (2019): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR397 (2019-07-24), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 390. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019

Plain summary

Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Pension Rehabilitation Administration within the Department of the Treasury and a related trust fund to make loans to certain multiemployer defined benefit pension plans. To receive a loan, a plan must be (1) in critical and declining status, including any plan with respect to which a suspension of benefits has been approved; (2) in critical status, have a modified funded percentage of less than 40%, and have a ratio of active to inactive participants which is less than two to five; or (3) insolvent, if the plan became insolvent after December 16, 2014, and has not been terminated. Treasury must transfer amounts, which may include proceeds from bonds and other obligations, from the general fund to the trust fund established by this bill as necessary to fund the program. The Pension Rehabilitation Administration may use the funds, without a further appropriation, to make loans, pay principal and interest on obligations, or for administrative and operating expenses. The bill allows the sponsor of a multiemployer pension plan that is applying for a loan under this bill to also apply to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for financial assistance if, after receiving the loan, the plan will still become (or remain) insolvent within the 30-year period beginning on the date of the loan. The bill also appropriates to the PBGC the funds that are necessary to provide the financial assistance required by this bill. The bill modifies the requirements for the distribution of remaining pension benefits from certain defined contribution plans to a designated beneficiary upon death of an employee. The bill increases penalties for failure to file a tax return, and certain retirement plan returns.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] · 209 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 397, Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 (2019-07-09); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 397, Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 (2019-07-23); CBO cost estimate: Potential Effects of H.R. 397, Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 (2019-09-06)

Cosponsors on this site

Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Angie Craig (D-MN), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Ted Lieu (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY) and 149 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] reported raising $3.1 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (4)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Bond
A way to borrow money. A government sells bonds to raise money now and promises to pay it back with interest over time. Bonds repaid from taxes often need voter approval.
Obligation
A binding promise by a government agency to pay money, for example by signing a contract or awarding a grant. Spending data such as USAspending.gov counts money when it is obligated, which can be before it is actually paid out.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr397 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116