What's New
U.S. senators on Wednesday broke an eight-month voting trend, as all 100 showed up to vote on pushing forward a bill that would remove restrictions on Social Security for government workers.
Senators voted 73-27 in favor of a cloture motion to speed up a vote on the bill repealing rules that reduce Social Security benefits for those receiving other benefits, as well as those who were getting less because their employer didn't withhold Social Security taxes.
Why It Matters
All 100 senators hadn't shown up for a vote together since April 17, when they voted to adjourn. The last time all senators voted on a piece of legislation was February 29, amid multiple rounds of voting related to government funding.
What To Know
Wednesday's 100-senator vote was on a motion to advance the Social Security Fairness Act, known as H.R. 82, to an official vote.
The legislation was introduced by Republican Louisiana Representative Garret Graves and repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Both lower Social Security payments for public service workers, as well as their spouses, if they receive pensions from their employers.
It is estimated that around 3 million Americans receive lower payments due to the two rules, which, according to Graves, steal from many teachers, police officers and other public servants who have paid into the system.
The bill has seen widespread public support, with over 60,000 people signing a petition urging Congress to enact the changes. Critics argued increasing payments would add to the funding crisis already facing the Social Security Administration.
Social Security has been a major talking point this year, with President-elect Donald Trump suggesting changes could be made to the program, including the elimination of taxes on income from the fund, while also vowing to protect it.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger, one of the bill's cosponsors, on X: "For 40 years, Virginia police officers, firefighters, and federal employees have been robbed of the retirement they earned. We're on the cusp of finally righting this wrong."
Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, on the Senate floor Wednesday: "Millions of teachers, firefighters, police officers ... nurses, technicians, lab techs, they expect us to fulfill this promise, and they are watching today. They are watching, filled with hope, that the Senate will pass the Social Security Fairness Act to finally stop punishing them for having elected to serve our communities."
Democratic Delaware Senator Chris Coons on X: "Teachers, firefighters, and other public servants deserve their full Social Security benefit upon retirement just like every other hard-working American. I'm voting YES on the Social Security Fairness Act to restore benefits to more than 2 million retired public servants."
What's Next
The bill needs an official vote by senators for final passage before heading to President Joe Biden's desk. If enacted, the legislation would apply to payments after December 2023.
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