Social Security bill clears first hurdle in Senate

The Senate is plowing forward with consideration of the Social Security Fairness Act, clearing its first procedural hurdle on what supporters hope is a path to passage later this week.

The Senate voted 73-27 to advance the measure, which could mean higher Social Security benefits for some Americans if passed before Congress leaves this week.

The bill would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.

Supporters say the overhaul of the tax rules is key to preventing unfair reductions in benefits for millions of people who have worked in public service.

But experts have sounded alarm over the measure, saying the rules it targets are aimed at preventing some beneficiaries from collecting both their pensions and relatively higher Social Security payouts than earned.

The bill, which passed with widespread support in the House, has backers lining up on both sides of the aisle.

That includes Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), a prominent conservative and deficit hawk who was recently elected the next governor of Indiana.

Asked about the bill’s projected price tag, Braun told The Hill on Wednesday that he is "going to vote for it, simply because it's an inequity.”

“Normally, if it didn't have a pay for, I wouldn't vote for anything I like the policy on. I've only done that where I felt it's been an inequity that underlies it in the first place,” he said.

Making the case for the bill on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said it would “ensure no American who has chipped into Social Security is wrongly denied their well-earned benefits.”

“This afternoon, we will vote whether or not to take up the Social Security Fairness Act, a bill repealing two flawed policies that eat away at the benefits of many Americans who at some point or another worked as teachers, firefighters, postal workers, or other public sector workers.”

Some Republicans have expressed concerns about what it could mean for the program’s insolvency date.

“I think it's very disrespectful to the people who are on Social Security to expand Social Security when Social Security is already in the process of going bankrupt,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told The Hill on Wednesday.

“I don’t think conservatives are supporting this bill.”

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would cost upward of $190 billion over a decade. It also projected in a letter last month that Social Security’s trusts funds could “be exhausted roughly half a year earlier than it would be under current law” if the bill were enacted.

Topics

Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions

Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
CBS News - 2h
Social Security Fairness Act clears procedural hurdle, on path for final passage

In a final lame-duck push, the Senate will attempt to pass legislation aimed at providing full Social Security benefits to millions of Americans this week.
ABC News - 2h
Senate may soon vote on a bill to change certain Social Security rules. Here's what to know

In the final days of this congressional session, the Senate could vote to nix rules affecting certain pensioners that have been in place for decades.
CNBC - 6h
Senate Clears Defense Bill Denying Transgender Care to Minors

The annual defense bill directing $895 billion toward the Pentagon and other military programs would deny transgender health coverage to minors. It now heads to President Biden’s desk.
The New York Times - 5h
GOP battle erupts over Social Security bill

Republican senators battled behind closed doors Tuesday over a proposal to beef up Social Security benefits for people who are eligible for non-Social Security government pensions. The legislation, ...
The Hill - 13h
Massive defense bill sees clear path in Senate, despite transgender measure

The Senate is on track to vote on the country’s massive annual defense spending bill Wednesday, with signs that it will pass smoothly despite Democratic objections to language involving transgender ...
The Hill - 2d
Senate plans to vote on bill that would increase Social Security benefits for some pensioners

People who receive income from public pensions may have their Social Security benefits reduced. The Senate may soon vote to eliminate those rules.
CNBC - 3d
Momentum builds around Social Security reforms ahead of Senate vote

Momentum is building around legislation that could mean higher Social Security benefits for some Americans as Senate leadership tees up a vote for next week. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ...
The Hill - 4d
Schumer says Senate will vote on Social Security changes

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday he’s “doing everything” he can to try to pass legislation that would enact some Social Security before Congress ushers in a new class ...
The Hill - Dec. 11