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H.R. 2897 104th Congress House

To increase the public debt limit, to protect the social security trust funds and other federal trust funds and accounts invested in public debt obligations, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 25, 1996 See on congress.gov
Economics and Public Finance Armed Forces and National SecurityBlack lungCivil Service pensionsCoal
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CongressCongressional oversightCongressional reporting requirementsEducationFinance and Financial SectorGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment employees' life insuranceGovernment propertyGovernment securitiesGovernment trust fundsHigher educationInvestment of public fundsLabor and EmploymentMilitary pensionsOld age, survivors and disability insurancePublic debtRailroad retirement plansSocial WelfareSurvivors' benefitsTransportation and Public WorksUnemployment insuranceVeterans' educationWorkers' compensation
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 30, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Jan 25, 1996
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 25, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 30, 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends Federal law to increase the public debt limit to $4.92 trillion.

Prohibits any U.S. officer or employee from delaying a deposit or credit to, or refraining from investment in public debt obligations in, any Federal fund if the purpose is to reduce or not increase public debt. Allows, notwithstanding the public debt limit, the sale or redemption of public debt obligations held by a covered benefits fund in order to get the cash necessary for payment of benefits or administrative expenses.

Prohibits issuance, after December 31, 2001, of public debt obligations subject to limitation under specified provisions of Federal law. Declares that the prohibition does not apply to any obligations issued to refund an obligation issued before January 1, 2002.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, when the Government is unable to borrow sufficient funds because of the public debt limit, to manage the U.S. cash position under the priorities established by the President for making payments.

Prohibits any U.S. officer or employee from selling any U.S. property if the primary purpose of the sale is to avoid the public debt limit.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2897: To increase the public debt limit, to protect the social security trust funds and other federal trust funds and accounts invested in public debt obligations, and for other purposes.. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2897/
MLA
"H.R. 2897: To increase the public debt limit, to protect the social security trust funds and other federal trust funds and accounts invested in public debt obligations, and for other purposes.." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2897/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2897, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2897/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2897: To increase the public debt limit, to protect the social security trust funds and other federal trust funds and accounts invested in public debt obligations, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2897/)
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