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H.R. 2870 100th Congress House

Economic Bill of Rights Act

Official title: A bill to help protect and improve the quality of life for all the people of the United States by setting forth an economic bill of rights and by mandating pre… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to help protect and improve the quality of life for all the people of the United States by setting forth an economic bill of rights and by mandating presidential and legislative action on an overall program to help establish and maintain conditions under which a more vigorous and responsible capitalism will enable all Americans freely to exercise such rights.

Introduced: February 23, 1988 See on congress.gov
Labor and Employment Advisory bodiesAgricultural economicsAgriculture and Rural AffairsAntitrust law
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Business and commerceEconomics and Public FinanceEducationEmployment and training programsFarm incomeFarmsFederal advisory bodiesFull employment policiesGovernment and businessHousing and Community DevelopmentNational growth policyRestrictive trade practicesUnemployment
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This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 24, 1987
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Nov 23, 1987
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 9, 1987
Executive Comment Requested from Federal Reserve, HHS, Labor.
Sep 30, 1987
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Aug 18, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities.
Jul 15, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization.
Jul 10, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Legislation and National Security.
Jul 8, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Trade.
Jul 8, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation.
Jul 8, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 1, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jul 1, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Rules.
Jul 1, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Government Operations.
Jul 1, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Jul 1, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs.
Jul 1, 1987
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 24, 1987

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Economic Bill of Rights Act - Lists certain recognized economic rights of Americans (along with specified legislation deemed necessary to assure such rights), which include: (1) the right to useful paid employment; (2) the right to earn enough to provide an adequate living; (3) the right of every farmer to raise and sell agricultural products at a return which will provide a decent family living; (4) the right of every business to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition; (5) the right of every family to a decent home; (6) the right to adequate medical care; (7) the right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment; and (8) the right to a good education.

Directs the President to transmit to the Congress a staged program to establish conditions under which the rights set forth in this Act may be secured.

Requires all Federal departments, agencies, and commissions to plan and carry out their programs in a manner designed to establish and maintain conditions under which such rights may be secured.

Requires the Joint Economic Committee to monitor the actions taken under this Act and report its conclusions to the Congress.

Establishes the Commission on Economic Rights to: (1) promote education and public discussion of the economic rights set forth in this Act; and (2) study the extent to which new conditions and problems require extensions of or amendments to such rights. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress and the President within two years of enactment of this Act.

Directs the President to submit a budget request necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its work.

 Committees of jurisdiction 11
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Feb 23, 1988
 D
Mfume, Kweisi
Maryland · Sep 25, 1987
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2870: Economic Bill of Rights Act. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-2870/
MLA
"H.R. 2870: Economic Bill of Rights Act." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-2870/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2870, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-2870/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2870: Economic Bill of Rights Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-2870/)
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