Trump Administration Reverses Course And Allows Social Security Beneficiaries To Receive COVID-19 Direct Cash Assistance Without Filing Tax Returns

by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)

Washington, D.C. - April 2, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Following calls from U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Social Security recipients will automatically receive direct cash assistance included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act without having to file tax returns.

On Wednesday, Senators Udall and Heinrich, along with a group of 41 colleagues, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressing alarm over guidance that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued earlier this week that said that Social Security beneficiaries would need to file tax returns in order to receive direct cash payments. This directly contradicted Congressional intent in drafting the CARES Act, which had made clear that the Treasury Department had the authority to send automatic direct cash assistance to Social Security beneficiaries regardless of whether they file taxes.

“Now is the time for the federal government to do all it can to assist Americans financially, especially Americans most in need,” said Udall. “I’m relieved the Trump administration reversed course on requiring Social Security recipients to file tax returns in order for them to receive their direct assistance benefit, after we pushed them to do so. Many Social Security recipients are retired and living on fixed incomes or are disabled, and do not file tax returns because they’re not required to. Congress wrote the law with these people in mind -- and specifically intended that these individuals receive their direct payment without having to file a return. I’m glad the Treasury Department is following the law so these Social Security recipients are assured they will receive their check promptly.”

“The seniors and people with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits are particularly vulnerable during this time. Congress made it explicitly clear in drafting the CARES Act that Social Security beneficiaries did not need to take any additional actions in order to receive their direct payments,” said Heinrich. “While I am pleased that Secretary Mnuchin realized the need to reverse course, it should not require this much political pressure to do the right thing. I will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable every step of the way in implementing all of the emergency measures Congress passed as rapidly and effectively as possible so our health providers and the families who need help get it without delay."

Impeachment, FEMA, Iran, Cybersecurity, Social Security, Drugs, PFAS Action Act, Taxes, Boeing, Immigration

Impeachment

Rep. Billy Long Votes 'No' on Resolution Appointing and Authorizing Impeachment Trial Managers
Source: Billy Long (R-MI, 7th)
January 15, 2020
“After 28 days, the House finally voted on a resolution appointing and authorizing managers for the impeachment trial of President Trump. I voted against this resolution because I believe that the managers named by Speaker Pelosi have repeatedly demonstrated their hatred for President Trump and are therefore unable to be objective. In the months leading up to impeachment and all throughout the hearings, Speaker Pelosi and her cohorts insisted that this was an ‘urgent’ matter, yet these articles have collected dust on her desk for nearly a month. In an effort to justify her actions, the speaker has claimed that she wanted to ensure that the trial was ‘fair’ which is incredibly ironic given the highly-partisan witch hunt House Democrats led. For the past few months, House Democrats have attempted to remove a duly-elected president from office by any means necessary, and the American people are understandably sick of it. It is time for the American people to hear all of the evidence House Democrats previously withheld, and I am confident that Leader McConnell will give them that opportunity by conducting a fair and transparent trial.”

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FEMA

LaMalfa Statement on FEMA Seeking Reimbursement from Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund
Source: Doug LaMalfa (R-CA, 1st)
January 14, 2020
I recently sent a bipartisan letter asking FEMA to stand down on seeking a reimbursement from PG&E’s settlement fund for the wildfire victims. While FEMA is in the wrong, this letter did not mention that the State of California is seeking reimbursement from the PG&E compensation fund at the price tag of $3.3 billion. When preparing to respond to the needs of the victims, the state received $2.5 billion of the $3.3 billion from the federal government. The State of California is purposefully slighting its citizens by trying to earmark money from the victims’ compensation fund for themselves.”

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IRAN

Larsen Votes to Hold President Accountable to the American People, Limit Use of Military Force Against Iran
Source: Rick Larsen (D-WA, 2nd)
January 10, 2020
For all the President’s talk about getting out of the Middle East, his actions continue to foreshadow even more involvement in the region, including the recent airstrike and the deployment of 4,500 additional U.S. personnel. The U.S. must work with allies and partners to de-escalate tensions and focus on ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS.

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LAMB STATEMENT AFTER SECURITY BRIEFING ON IRAN
Source: Connor Lamb (D-PA, 17th)
January 9, 2020
“It is one of the highest forms of patriotism to speak out when a government engages in reckless military action that can lead us to war” said Lieu. “I previously served active duty in the United States military. The goal of any military action should be to make us more safe, not less safe. Unfortunately, as a result of Donald Trump's impulsive decision making, the following negative consequences have happened: Iran is no longer abiding by any limits on its nuclear program; the Iranian people who previously were protesting their own leadership have now rallied behind their government; and the Iraqi parliament voted to kick U.S. troops out of their country. We don't need the President make any more reckless decisions. We don't need him to tweet out flag pictures. We need the President to articulate a coherent Iran strategy, which he still hasn’t offered.”

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REP LIEU STATEMENT ON HOUSE EFFORT TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED WAR WITH IRAN
Source: Ted Lieu (D-CA, 33rd)
January 8, 2020
“The administration still will not explain why Soleimani suddenly was an ‘imminent’ threat after multiple U.S. and Israeli administrations declined to kill him. Nonetheless, we know the following has resulted from the administration’s policy in the Middle East. We now have 15,000 more American troops there than we did six months ago. Our mission to defeat ISIS has been slowed down by the need to defend from additional Iranian attacks. Iran is now closer to developing a nuclear weapon.

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Cybersecurity

Langevin Statement on Microsoft Windows Cybersecurity Vulnerability Identified by NSA
Source: Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd)
January 15, 2020
Today’s disclosure of a critical Windows vulnerability shows that the vulnerabilities equities process is working. When government researchers discover a vulnerability in a widely used commercial product, the bias must be towards disclosure. This is a feather in the cap of the NSA’s new Cybersecurity Directorate, which is committed to helping partners, whether government customers or private sector critical infrastructure owners and operators, defend against malicious activity. I strongly support the United States government’s continued leadership on coordinated vulnerability disclosure, leadership enhanced by the recent binding operational directive directing government agencies to have their own vulnerability disclosure policies. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and on the Solarium Commission to strengthen operational relationships between the private sector and government, particularly through the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Cybersecurity Directorate.

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Social Security

Larson, Neal, and Davis Slam Harmful Draft Social Security Rule
Source: John B. Larson (D-CT, 1st)
January 13, 2020
“Yet again, the Trump Administration is going out of its way to make life more challenging for the most vulnerable people in our country. The United States government already has extremely stringent disability standards. In fact, fewer than four in 10 applicants are found eligible for Social Security disability benefits, even after all levels of appeal. This rule would further restrict eligibility, making it even harder for disabled people to access the essential income they’re qualified to receive. We are particularly alarmed that news of this latest proposal comes on top of the Administration’s recent efforts to cut off benefits for severely disabled people whom the agency already found eligible.

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Drugs

Latta Focuses on State Efforts to Combat Substance Abuse & the Opioid Epidemic
Source: Robert E. Latta (R OH, 5th)
January 14, 2020
According to the Ohio Department of Health, in 2017, prescription opioid overdose deaths fell in Ohio by almost 28% since 2011, but overdose rates are still high. Prescription opioid-related overdose deaths accounted for 523 of Ohio’s total 4,854 unintentional overdose deaths in 2017, compared to 564 of 4,050 total deaths in 2016 – which was the highest in the nation at the time. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Ohio had the second highest rate of drug related overdose deaths involving opioids in the country in 2017.

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PFAS Action Act

U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence’s Amendment to Address PFAS Contamination Passes House Floor
Source: Brenda Lawrence (D-MI, 14th)
January 10, 2020
Exposure to PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”, are linked to adverse health effects including cancer, immune system effects, infertility, impaired child development, high cholesterol and thyroid disease. PFAS contamination has been found across the country in almost every single congressional district posing a serious threat to public health including on our military bases risking the well-being of our troops and their families.

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H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act would:

Require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS within two years;

Designates PFAS as a hazardous substance under the Superfund Law;

Creates a newly funded grant program to assist states with remediation efforts;

Prevents future contamination through strengthened testing, reporting, and monitoring requirements that hold contaminating companies accountable.

PFAS Bill Passes House with Provisions Written by Rep. Andy Levin
Source: Andy Levin (D-MI, 9th)
January 10, 2020
“Properly addressing PFAS contamination will require a monumental effort with coordination at the federal, state and local levels,” Rep. Levin said. “Today, the House took a major, bipartisan step toward committing the tools of the federal government to cleaning up these toxic chemicals nationwide. I was proud that today’s bill includes my PFAS Safe Disposal Act, which would ensure that when PFAS is eliminated by incineration, that the chemicals don’t end up in the air we breathe. I also authored an amendment to create accountability in the PFAS cleanup and disposal process.

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Taxes

LEWIS, NEAL CALL ON IRS TO ISSUE REFUND GUIDANCE TO TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS PENALIZED BY HARMFUL GOP TAX LAW
Source: John Lewis (D-GA, 5th)
January 8, 2020
“Charities and houses of worship wasted precious time, money, and energy contending with a damaging tax that the 2017 Republican law imposed on them. It is unconscionable that the GOP gave big corporations and the wealthiest Americans more than $2 trillion of tax cuts, but forced soup kitchens to pay taxes on their employees’ parking benefits. That policy undermined any semblance of a fair or just tax code. Congress did our part to right this wrong – now it is time for the IRS to provide tax-exempt organizations with the guidance they need to claim and receive the refunds they are due.”

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Boeing

Lipinski Statement on Newly Released Boeing Emails
Source: Daniel Lipinski (D-IL, 3rd)
January 10, 2020
The Committee has made repeated requests since the Ethiopian Air Crash in March 2019 that Boeing turn over all relevant internal documents related to the MAX. It is absolutely outrageous that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee just received these documents now. Boeing’s concealment of these documents flies in the face of the company’s stated commitment to the public and to victims’ families that they would cooperate with these important investigations and help get to the bottom of what happened. Boeing should be ashamed.

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Immigration

House Judiciary Will Investigate Trump Administration's "Remain in Mexico" Policy
Source: Zoe Lofgren (D-CA, 19th)
January 14, 2020
In their letter, the Members wrote, "The policy has nearly eliminated the already scarce due process protections available to asylum-seekers—such as access to counsel—further reducing the likelihood that legitimate asylum-seekers can obtain asylum. Moreover, MPP forces women, children, and families to remain in areas that the federal government recognizes as especially unsafe. As of today, there are 31 active travel advisories for Mexico, including 5 warnings in which the State Department explicitly advises Americans against travel. It is difficult to understand why this administration is sending children and families to areas where they will face certain harm."

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Bipartisan Kennedy-Carper Bill To Stop Paying Dead People Advances Out of Committee

by: Senator John Kennedy (R-LA)

Washington, D.C. - May 16, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) advanced the bipartisan Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. The bill, introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) would help save millions of taxpayer dollars by curbing erroneous payments to deceased individuals.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains the most complete federal database of individuals who are reported to have died. However, only a small number of federal agencies have access to this official list, and most federal agencies rely on a slimmed down, incomplete and less timely version of the death information. In addition, most Inspectors General lack access to the complete death information. As a result, many federal agencies make erroneous payments to people who are actually deceased.

In the Senate, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Gary Peters (D-MI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Bipartisan companion legislation was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) and Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.).

“Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be wasted on paying government benefits to dead people. We know the dead people aren’t cashing those checks. Their relatives are,” said Sen. Kennedy. “It’s just throwing hard-earned taxpayer money into the pockets of con artists. We can easily do something about that.”

“As government officials, one of our most important responsibilities is to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Carper. “That’s why, for years, I have worked across the aisle to assess federal government spending and eliminate billions of taxpayer dollars in waste, fraud and abuse. But there is still work to be done. With a little hard work and bipartisanship, we can take the common sense steps necessary to reduce improper payments and put these funds to better use for the American people.”

Key provisions in the bill include:

Allowing Federal Agencies Access to the Complete Death Database. Under current law, only federal agencies that directly manage programs making beneficiary payments have access to complete death data. The act allows all appropriate federal agencies to have access to the complete death data for program integrity purposes, as well as other needs such as public safety and health.

Requiring Use of Death Data to Curb Improper Payments. The act would require that federal agencies make appropriate use of the death data in order to curb improper payments.

Improving the Death Data. The legislation would establish procedures to ensure more accurate death data. For example, the bill requires the SSA to screen for “extremely elderly” individuals. This is in response to a 2015 Inspector General Report that identified 6.5 million individuals currently listed as being older than 112 years of age as still alive.

Organizations that supported the bill in 2018 included American Commitment, Americans for Tax Reform, Coalition to Reduce Spending, FreedomWorks, National Taxpayers Union, Project on Government Oversight, 60 Plus Association, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

Social Security and Medicare Annual Report

by: Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Washington, D.C. - April 23, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa today issued the following statement regarding the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees’ annual reports.

“Increased growth in the economy, wages and additional employment stemming from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, along with an end to the prior Administration’s crippling regulatory agenda that choked the economy, have helped Americans at work and in their retirement security. With bigger paychecks, more jobs and increased pension values, Americans’ retirement savings are better protected.

“While the strong economy and labor markets are helping Americans across the board, Social Security and Medicare trust funds also benefit. However, it remains that those trust funds are not financially sustainable, and reforms are necessary to ensure stability and sustainability of Medicare and Social Security programs.

“As the reports show, the nation’s Medicare program will be in the red in less than a decade – by 2026 – and the Social Security combined disability and retirement trust funds will be exhausted in 2035. With Social Security facing more than $43 trillion of unfunded future liabilities, which is up by almost $9 trillion from last year’s report, it’s clear that work needs to be done to ensure that these programs can truly benefit future generations.

“That work will require bipartisanship and cooperation. Unfortunately, partisan politics have even crept into the Social Security and Medicare trustee reports themselves. For the fourth year in a row, these reports lack oversight from public trustees – the longest period since 1985 when the role of public trustee began. That role was designed in the interest of increasing public trust in the integrity of the trust funds. Unfortunately, lack of public trustees being in position is a continuing product of partisanship and obstruction on the part of Democratic leadership.”

Soon-to-be Released Report Will Show That Social Security Continues to Work for America

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by: Social Security Works


Washington, D.C. - April 19, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- As reporters prepare to cover the soon-to-be-released 2019 Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports, Social Security Works provides you with this background analysis, which summarizes what are likely to be the Social Security Report’s key findings (based on last year’s forecasts), and puts them in context. Please note that this backgrounder addresses only the Social Security cash benefits Trustees Report (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Trustees Report), and not the Medicare Trustees Report.

In addition to reviewing this backgrounder, we invite you to speak with our president, Nancy Altman, who is a nationally recognized Social Security expert. (See her bio below.) We also urge you to review our fact sheet that discusses, among other things, misinterpretations by non-experts caused by over-emphasis of unrealistically long valuation periods.

The most important takeaways from the 2019 Trustees Report will be that (1) Social Security has a large accumulated surplus, and (2) Social Security is extremely affordable. In three-quarters of a century, in 2095, Social Security will constitute just around 6.16 percent of GDP. That is considerably lower, as a percentage of GDP, than Germany, Austria, France, and most other industrialized countries spend on their counterpart programs today.

The 2019 Trustees Report will project Social Security’s cumulative surplus to be roughly $2.9 trillion. It will show that Social Security is fully funded until around 2034, around 93 percent funded for the next 25 years, around 87 percent funded over the next 50 years, and around 84 percent funded over the next 75 years.

(Those percentages are calculated from the 2018 report. This year’s report may vary slightly, but not significantly. As soon as the report is released, this backgrounder will be updated with the latest projections and released as a fact sheet.)

Often, the release of the annual Trustees Report leads to lamentations from many observers that “Congress has no plan to address Social Security’s projected shortfall.” That is incorrect. It is only Congressional Republicans who have no plans – at least that they are willing to publicly embrace. That is perhaps because their preferred “solutions” involve benefit cuts, which are overwhelmingly opposed by voters across the political spectrum, including their own Republican base.

In contrast, Congressional Democrats have concrete plans – not just to ensure that all promised benefits will be paid in full and on time for the foreseeable future, but to address our nation’s retirement income crisis by increasing Social Security’s modest benefits. The Social Security 2100 Act, introduced by Rep. John Larson (D-CT), has over 200 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. Larson has held several hearings on the bill and intends to bring it to the House floor this spring.

Several other bills to protect and expand Social Security benefits have been introduced in the House and Senate, and nearly every 2020 presidential candidate serving in Congress is a member of the bicameral Expand Social Security Caucus.

The question of whether to expand or cut Social Security’s modest benefits is a question of values and choice, not affordability. Indeed, in light of Social Security’s near universality, efficiency, fairness in its benefit distribution, portability from job to job, and security, the obvious solution to the nation’s looming retirement income crisis is to increase Social Security’s modest benefits. The average annual benefit received by Social Security’s over 63 million beneficiaries is only about $16,000 this year.

Over half (52 percent) of American households headed by someone of working age will not be able to maintain their standards of living in old age. This figure rises to roughly two-thirds when health and long-term care costs are also considered. Traditional employer-sponsored defined benefit pension plans are disappearing, leaving workers, at best, 401(k) and other retirement savings plans, which have proven inadequate. Around half of households aged 55 or older had zero retirement savings in 2013. Among those households age 55-64 with some retirement savings in 2013, the median amount of those savings was about $104,000, equivalent to an annuity of just $310 a month. Thus, it is not surprising that today two-thirds of senior beneficiaries rely on Social Security for a majority of their income. Social Security will certainly be even more important to tomorrow’s seniors.

Expanding Social Security not only addresses the retirement income crisis, it also is part of the answer to growing income and wealth inequality and the financial squeeze on working families. Expanding, not cutting, Social Security while requiring the wealthiest among us to contribute more – indeed, their fair share – is the best policy approach to addressing these challenges while restoring Social Security to long-range actuarial balance. Cutting those modest benefits will only exacerbate these challenges.

NRA, Social Security, 2nd Amendment, Internet, Veterans, Government Shutdown

More of Today's News from the Lawmakers

Republican Social Security Leader Tom Reed Highlights How Social Security Reform Must be Bipartisan
Tom Reed (R-NY, 23rd)
February 6, 2019
“Not once in Social Security’s nearly 100-year history have changes been made to its solvency that didn’t have Republicans and Democrats support in the House,” Republican Leader of the Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady said. “Going it alone, forcing one party, solutions will certainly fail.”

Read more...

RASKIN, WHITEHOUSE DEMAND ANSWERS FROM NRA ON ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW VIOLATIONS
Jamie Raskin (D-MD, 8th)
February 7, 2019
The NRA is named in four pending complaints to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) alleging campaign finance law violations. In their letter to NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre, the Members seek information regarding the NRA’s relationship with media consulting firms that also worked for the Trump Campaign and other Republican candidates.

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Reschenthaler Defends Second Amendment During House Judiciary Committee Hearing
Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA, 14th)
February 7, 2019
“As a lifelong resident of southwestern Pennsylvania and a gun owner myself, I know that the overwhelming majority of American gun owners are hardworking, law-abiding citizens looking to protect their families, hunt with their kids, or just put food on the table,” Reschenthaler said. “I am strongly opposed to H.R. 8 and other legislation that does nothing to address the root causes of gun violence like mental health, and instead limits law-abiding citizens’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

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MCMORRIS RODGERS INTRODUCES PROMOTING INTERNET FREEDOM AND INNOVATION ACT
Cathy Rodgers McMorris (R-WA, 5th)
February 7, 2019
At the hearing, Cathy said, “My bill is based on the Washington State law and would codify the “bright line rules” of Net Neutrality, specifically: no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization… The Internet is vital to our future, and the opportunity that it provides is vital to the economic potential of hardworking men and women in the 21st century. I want to once and for all resolve this manufactured political debate and provide certainty to the internet ecosystem so that we can make that opportunity a reality for every single American.”

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House Passes Rose Amendment to Expand Childcare Coverage to Veterans Seeking Addiction Treatment
Max Rose (D-NY, 11th)
February 7, 2019
As one of the few post-9/11 combat veterans who are serving right now in this body, I’ve seen the courage of my fellow former-soldiers who seek the help they so desperately need. I’ve seen that substance abuse counseling at our VA facilities can save lives, save families. And I’ve seen what happens when my brothers and sisters who served do not get the treatment they need, and I’m here to tell my colleagues that I refuse to watch that happen again.

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RUPPERSBERGER INTRODUCES BILL TO REIMBURSE FEDERAL WORKERS AFTER SHUTDOWN – WITH INTEREST
Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD, 2nd)
February 7, 2019
While federal employees impacted by the most recent, 35-day government shutdown will receive compensation for lost wages, many workers were forced to incur additional costs, including fees for late payments on bills and loans. The Back Pay Fairness Act (H.R. 1051) would provide federal workers back-pay with interest matched to the Treasury Prompt Payment policy, the same interest rate federal agencies pay on late payments to vendors and contractors.

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Rep. Blum Cosponsors Bill to Protect Social Security and Medicare

Washington, D.C. - October 15, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Rod Blum (R-IA, 1st) recently cosponsored H.Res.1026 to express the sense of the House that Medicare and Social Security must be protected for current enrollees and preserved for future generations.

Rep. Blum commented, "Growing up, my mother was dependent on Social Security survivor benefits to put food on the table after my father passed— I personally understand the importance and necessity of these benefits. Iowans have worked hard and paid into the Social Security system with the expectation that these funds will be available upon retirement. Both parties in Congress must work together to enact responsible long-term reforms that will protect both current and future retirees- and this bill confirms my commitment to do so."

Seniors’ Security Act Re-introduced in the House

Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Following the announcement that Social Security recipients will receive a 2% cost-of-living increase next year, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) has announced he is re-introducing the Seniors’ Security Act to help seniors who are struggling to pay their medical bills.

Norcross’ Seniors’ Security Act would ensure that cost-of-living increases don’t just get eaten up by rising health care costs. Specifically, the plan would create a “circuit breaker” of sorts, so seniors never pay more than 30 percent of their COLA into Medicare premiums. The Act also recalculates cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) so future changes would be based on the price of goods and services seniors actually buy, a formula known as Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E).

“This cost-of-living increase is good news for seniors, but not good enough as seniors continue to struggle with rising health care costs,” said Congressman Norcross. “Our seniors worked hard all their lives and paid into the system – they’ve earned the right to true peace of mind. Let’s make sensible changes so seniors can get a higher COLA and keep more of it.”

“Congressman Norcross’ legislation would require the Social Security Administration to base future cost-of-living adjustments on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which much more accurately reflects the cost of things retirees purchase, including health care. It would also limit Medicare premium increases,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans. “The bill will get seniors the COLA they earned and ensure it isn't immediately consumed by higher Medicare premiums.”

"For the tens of millions of families who depend on Social Security for all or most of their retirement income, this cost of living increase may not adequately cover expenses that rise faster than inflation including prescription drug, utility and housing costs," said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO, AARP. "AARP continues our advocacy for bipartisan solutions to help ensure the long-term solvency of the program, as well as adequate benefits for recipients."

Since 2010, seniors have failed to receive a COLA increase three times – and last year the increase was a meager 0.3%. This year, higher 2018 premiums for Medicare Part B will hit older adults, including large numbers of low-income individuals who struggle to make ends meet. The expected increase is $300 next year.

Norcross added: “While others want to privatize and dismantle Social Security, I’m fighting to honor our commitments by keeping the system safe and secure for retirees and working Americans.”

Related News:

Social Security Not Keeping up With Seniors' Rising Costs

Social Security Announces 2.0 Percent Benefit Increase for 2018

Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 66 million Americans will increase 2.0 percent in 2018, the Social Security Administration has announced.

The 2.0 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 61 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2018. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 29, 2017. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits) The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $128,700 from $127,200. Of the estimated 175 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2018, about 12 million will pay more because of the increase in the taxable maximum.

Seniors Task Force Chairs Doris O. Matsui (D-CA, 6th) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with Vice Chairs Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Charlie Crist (D-FL), released the following statement on the announcement of a 2 percent Social Security COLA increase for beneficiaries:

“Today’s announcement of a 2 percent increase in the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is welcome news after two years of virtually no inflationary adjustment – but it is not enough to help millions of seniors make ends meet.

“Two-thirds of retirees rely on Social Security for the majority of their income. For nearly 1 in 3 retirees, it represents 90% or more of their income. A two percent COLA – an average of $27 a month – isn’t adequate to help them deal with the rising costs of health care, food and transportation. That’s why the House Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force is committed not just to protecting and expanding Social Security benefits but to lowering the cost of prescription drugs and other basic necessities.

“Retirees deserve a better deal – and Democrats will fight to make sure that they get it.”

Fitzpatrick: Social Security Announces 2.0 Percent Benefit Increase for 2018

Source: Brian Fitzpatrick, (R PA, 8th)

Langhorne, PA - October 15, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) announced to constituents that the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 2.0 percent in 2018.

“The Social Security Administration’s move to provide a 2.0 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for more than 66 million Americans is important to keep our promises,” said Fitzpatrick. “Whether it is ensuring seniors get the benefits they worked for or expanding access to Medicare for those in need, I am committed to standing up for Bucks and Montgomery county residents.”

The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The COLA will begin with benefits payable to more than 61 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2018. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 29, 2017. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits).

In August, Fitzpatrick was named a 2017 Champion of Health Care Innovation by the American Life Sciences Innovation Council (ALSIC) for his efforts to protect Medicare and promote quality care for seniors. He is the cosponsor of the FAST Act – H.R.1148, H.R.2556 – Connect for Health Act of 2017, and H.R.807 - Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2017 which benefit seniors, and helped pass bipartisan legislation to keep the private information of senior citizens secure, and raise the COLA for our nations veterans.

American Health Care Act, Protestors, Biodefense, Food Stamps, Minimum Wage, Social Security, Veterans, Everglades

Davidson Statement on Updated CBO Score for AHCA
Warren Davidson (R-OH, 8th)
May 25, 2017
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) released the following statement in response to the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO’s) updated score of the American Health Care Act (AHCA): “The CBO only confirms that the AHCA’s entitlement reforms will reduce the deficit and its regulatory reforms will lower premiums. This updated score shows that the amendments added to the original bill will cause premiums to decrease potentially up to 30% in states that take advantage of the new waiver authority granted by the MacArthur Amendment. The Senate needs to act on this legislation as soon as possible so the American people can get relief from the rising costs of Obamacare.”
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Davis Urges Expulsion of Turkish Personnel Who Assaulted Peaceful American Protesters
Rodney Davis (R-IL, 13th)
May 26, 2017
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) sent a letter, along with several of his colleagues, to the Department of Justice and Department of State urging the immediate expulsion of Turkish personnel who physically assaulted Americans peacefully protesting President Tayyip Erdogan. The assault that took place on May 16, 2017 outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. resulted in several protestors being sent to the hospital.
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DeGette: CBO Score Shows Trumpcare Bill is Ill-Advised, Full of Broken Promises
Diana DeGette (D-CO, 1st)
May 24, 2017
“Trumpcare is bad news for a lot of people, as the CBO has shown yet again,” DeGette said. “If this bill becomes law, it will ration care and put insurance companies back in charge. Millions of people will lose their coverage while the cost for others will go up – including those covered through employer plans. People can expect higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for skimpy coverage that in many cases won’t include essential services such as maternity care and treatment for mental health and substance abuse. And those over age 50 will pay even more – that is, if they can afford the age tax that this plan would impose."
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Delaney Statement on Potential Closing of National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center in Frederick
John Delaney (D-MD, 6th)
May 26, 2017
President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget, released this week, zeroes out funding for the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) in Frederick, Maryland and calls for its closure. The NBACC is operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the United States against biological threats. The NBACC supports preparedness planning, intelligence assessments and bio-forensic analysis. The lab often assists the FBI in investigating bioterrorism and bio-crime and employs over 180 people.
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DeLauro Calls out Trump Administration for Decimating the SNAP Program
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
May 24, 2017
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today pressed Sonny Perdue, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to discuss how the Trump Administration’s budget will deeply affect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. The Administration has proposed changes that would cut SNAP by $193 billion—more than 25 percent of the program total. DeLauro is a senior member on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Click here to watch the full remarks.

DelBene Joins Sen. Murray in Calling for Federal Minimum Wage Increase
Suzan Delbene (D-WA, 1st)
May 25, 2017
“Strong economic growth can only be achieved when all working families have the opportunity to succeed,” DelBene said. “To build an economy that works for everyone, we need to ensure Americans working a 40-hour week aren’t living below the poverty line. Congress should raise the federal minimum wage to restore the middle class and help families thrive.”
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CONGRESSWOMAN VAL DEMINGS RESPONDS TO THE PASSAGE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD PREVENTION ACT
Val Demings (D-FL, 10th)
May 24, 2017
Congresswoman Val Demings, Florida’s 10th Congressional District, is excited to announce the passage of H.R. 628, the Social Security Fraud Prevention Act of 2017, which she was an original Co-Sponsor of. It will prohibit federal departments and agencies from including the social security account numbers of any individuals on any document sent by mail unless the department or agency head determines that the inclusion of such numbers on a document is necessary.
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Dent Votes to Increase Quality, Expediency of Veterans’ Services
Charles W. Dent (R-PA, 15th)
MAY 26 2017
“These pro-veteran initiatives show that the members of the House from both parties have a sincere desire to ensure that our veterans receive the quality care and attention that they deserve,” Dent said. “We must never grow complacent in our continuing efforts to make necessary reforms to the VA and fulfill the promises that our nation has made to our veterans. The innumerable sacrifices and the selfless dedication exemplified by the men and women in our armed forces can and should be met with a firm commitment to providing them with the highest standards of care and service. In my role as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Other Related Agencies (MILCON-VA), my goal has always been to advocate on behalf of the men and women in uniform back home in Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, as well as those across the country. The passage of these bills this week marks an important step in that direction.”
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Everglades Caucus Co-Chairmen Hastings and Diaz-Balart Introduce Everglades for the Next Generation Act
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL, 25th)
May 25, 2017
“Protecting and restoring the Everglades is vital to the overall health of both South Florida’s ecosystem and economy,” said Congressman Hastings. “This bill works to restore this unique ecosystem by ensuring that as final planning for restoration projects is completed, these projects are authorized and brought on line as expeditiously as possible. I am proud to work with Congressman Diaz-Balart and Senator Nelson in ensuring that progress toward Everglades restoration continues as quickly as possible, and that this national treasure is protected for future generations.”
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Welfare, Sick Leave, Healthcare, Immigration, Manufacturing, Agro-Terrorism, Social Security, Death, Economy, Digital Privacy, Tax Reform, and more...

Davidson Introduces Legislation to Consolidate Redundant Welfare Programs
Warren Davidson (R-OH, 8th)
March 9, 2017
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) has introduced the Welfare Benefit Reform and Alignment Commission (BRAC) Act which will create a bipartisan, eight-member commission tasked with formulating concrete solutions to reform more than 90 federal welfare programs which cost taxpayers almost $1 trillion a year.
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DeLauro, Murray Reintroduce Healthy Families Act to Allow Workers to Earn Paid Sick Days
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
March 15, 2017
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Ranking Member on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the Department of Labor, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today reintroduced the Healthy Families Act, legislation that would allow workers to earn paid sick leave to use when they are sick, to care for a loved one, to obtain preventative care, or to address the impacts of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
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CBO RATING CONFIRMS WORKING FLORIDIANS WILL PAY MORE FOR LESS COVERAGE UNDER GOP HEALTHCARE PLAN
Val Demings (D-FL, 10th)
March 15, 2017
The Congressional Budget Office released its Cost Estimate on the GOP’s Healthcare plan Monday, which shows 14 million more people would be uninsured in 2018, and 24 million more would be uninsured by 2026. Rep. Val Demings, Florida’s 10th Congressional district, released this statement:
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Rep. Denham’s ENLIST Act Surpasses 100 Co-Sponsors
Jeff Denham (R-CA, 10th)
March 14, 2017
U.S. Representative Jeff Denham today announced that his commonsense immigration reform bill – H.R. 60, the Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training Act (ENLIST Act) – has gained over 100 co-sponsors in the 115th Congress.
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DeSantis Commends Trump Administration For Charges Against Jordanian Terrorist
Ron DeSantis (R-FL, 6th)
March 14, 2017
The Trump administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today that Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi has been charged in connection with a 2001 terrorist attack in Jerusalem that killed two Americans, Malki Roth and Judith Greenbaum. Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06), Chairman of the National Security Committee, highlighted this attack and called for the DOJ to charge the mastermind behind the attack, Ahlam Al-Tamimi, during a February 2016 hearing examining the role of the Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism.
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Portman, Stabenow, Brown Introduce Bill to Support U.S. Manufacturers, Promote More American Jobs
Rob Portman- (R - OH)
March 15, 2017
Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today introduced legislation – the Promoting More American Manufacturing Jobs Act – to clarify the domestic manufacturing tax deduction for U.S. manufacturers. The legislation clarifies the intent of Congress in enacting the domestic manufacturing deduction, section 199 of the tax code, to ensure that in contract manufacturing situations, any party to the arrangement that makes a substantial contribution to the manufacture of qualifying goods through its U.S. employees is entitled to claim the deduction.
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Senate Homeland Security Committee Passes Roberts’ Legislation to Address Agro-Terrorism Threats to Nation’s Food Supply
Pat Roberts- (R - KS)
March 15, 2017
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) today announced his legislation to address the threat of agro-terrorism and ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply was approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC). Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the bipartisan legislation with Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
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Rubio, Cotton, Lee Introduce Legislation to Save Social Security Disability Insurance from Bankruptcy
Marco Rubio - (R - FL)
March 15, 2017
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced the Return to Work Act of 2017, legislation that would save Social Security Disability Insurance from bankruptcy. This bill would help Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries who can recover return to work, while also preserving the program's long-term sustainability for the permanently disabled. U.S. Representative French Hill (R-AR) introduced the companion bill in the House.
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Statement from Consumer Healthcare Products Association on HSA/FSA Provision of the American Healthcare Act
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
March 7, 2017
“CHPA strongly supports restoration of the ability for consumers to use their Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and urges the Ways & Means Committee to advance this important measure. According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of CHPA, the majority of Americans (75%) favor including OTCs in FSAs and HSAs. Since 2011, a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took away the ability of consumers to use their tax-preferred HSA and FSA dollars to purchase OTC medicines, unless they first received a prescription. At a time when more and more Americans are exercising these vital HSA and FSA benefits, this is a common-sense fix for many families who rely on non-prescription OTC medicines to treat common ailments such as allergies, cough and colds, or pain.”
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Hawai‘i State Senate Passes a Death with Dignity Bill
Death With Dignity
March 9, 2017
The Hawai‘i State Senate thus became the first full legislative chamber this year to pass an assisted dying law. Modeled on the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, SB 1129 would allow terminally ill residents of Hawai‘i to make their own end-of-life decision to die with dignity.
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The recent productivity slowdown could be reversed by giving the economy “room to run”
Economic Policy Institute
March 13, 2017
“Simply put, businesses’ incentives to invest in equipment and technology to make workers more productive are blunted when labor is so cheap,” said Bivens. “A tighter labor market and the rising wages that come with it would provide an incentive to boost workers’ productivity and will thus boost investment.”
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Digital Privacy at the U.S Border: A New How-To Guide from EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
March 9, 2017
“Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border” helps everyone do a risk assessment, evaluating personal factors like immigration status, travel history, and the sensitivity of the data you are carrying. Depending on which devices come with you on your trip, your gadgets can include information like your client files for work, your political leanings and those of your friends, and even your tax return. Assessing your risk factors helps you choose a path to proactively protect yourself, which might mean leaving some devices at home, moving some information off of your devices and into the cloud, and using encryption. EFF’s guide also explains why some protections, like fingerprint locking of a phone, are less secure than other methods.
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Getting Tax Reform Done—and Done Right
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
March 13, 2017
In the relationship between government and business, no issue is more fundamental, impactful, or important to get right than taxation. It’s one of government’s oldest responsibilities and one of business’ biggest expenses. Taxes are a critical factor in most major decisions a company makes—including whether to expand, hire new workers, or invest in new technologies. Unfortunately, America has one of the most burdensome tax systems in the world. That is why we must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul our tax code in a way that promotes dynamic economic growth.
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Family Research Council Applauds Texas Senate Passage of the Texas Privacy Act
Family Research Council
March 14, 2017
Family Research Council praised the State Senate passage of the Texas Privacy Act by a vote of 21 to 10. Last week, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, testified before the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee in support of the Texas Privacy Act (SB 6), which would protect the privacy and safety of women and children. The bill prevents public schools and government buildings from adopting policies that would open women’s showers, bathrooms, and changing facilities to men and visa-versa.
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Chairman Conaway praises President Trump's nomination of Chris Giancarlo
House Committee on Agriculture
March 14, 2017
President Trump announced today his intent to nominate Chris Giancarlo to serve as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway issued the following statement.
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Diane Black: “I am confident this bill is going to come out of Budget”
House Committee on the Budget
March 15, 2017
House Budget Committee Chairman Diane Black talked to MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson about the American Health Care Act and her confidence that the committee will pass the bill tomorrow to help those suffering under Obamacare.
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Nunes Statement on Surveillance of Political Campaigns
House Intelligence Committee
March 5, 2017
“One of the focus points of the House Intelligence Committee's investigation is the U.S. government's response to actions taken by Russian intelligence agents during the presidential campaign. As such, the Committee will make inquiries into whether the government was conducting surveillance activities on any political party’s campaign officials or surrogates, and we will continue to investigate this issue if the evidence warrants it.”
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