close
close

Mondor Festival

News with a Local Lens

    • Republican duo blocks bill expanding some Social Security benefits
    minsta

    Republican duo blocks bill expanding some Social Security benefits

    Pabio Posted on

    play

    WASHINGTON — Two members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus blocked a bipartisan bill on election night that would have repealed previous measures limiting Social Security benefits for some retired government workers.

    The bill, introduced by Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Garret Graves, R-La., would have eliminated Social Security provisions that reduce benefits for retirees who received a public pension and are employed not covered by the system. government program and cut benefits received by surviving spouses who receive a government pension.

    The bill would affect about 2.8 million Americans.

    It received 330 cosponsors, including House Speaker Mike JohnsonR-La. – more than the 218 needed for a petition to force passage of the bill.

    But Reps. Bob Good, R-Va., and Andy Harris, R-Md., during a pro forma session (a brief meeting of the House where business is not usually conducted) Tuesday actually introduced the bill, according to roll call.

    Graves called the move a stunt, the outlet reported.

    The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill costs approximately $196 million over ten years, and this comes as the House Freedom Caucus demanded spending cuts.

    Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, an advocacy organization, called on Johnson to bring the bill to a vote.

    “This issue affects millions of Americans, and the bill to restore their benefits deserves an up or down vote on its merits,” he said in a statement.

    USA TODAY has contacted Good and Harris’ office for comment.

    Pabio
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like