This week, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) endorsed new legislation from Congressman Walter Jones (NC-3) that would create a Social Security guarantee for all eligible recipients. In addition, lawmakers returned to their home states and districts for a seven-week recess.
TSCL Endorses New Social Security Bill
This week, TSCL announced its support for new legislation from Congressman Walter Jones (NC-3) that would create a Social Security guarantee for all eligible recipients. The Social Security Guarantee Act (H.R. 5670), if adopted, would guarantee by law the right of individuals to receive Social Security benefits in full and with accurate annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs).
Under current law, no legal guarantee to Social Security benefits exists, even for those who meet all required eligibility criteria. This means that Congress may enact unexpected benefit cuts or the Social Security Administration may pay reduced benefits if the necessary funds are unavailable.
If the Social Security Guarantee Act is signed into law, all eligible recipients will receive benefit guarantee certificates from the Secretary of the Treasury that would require the payment of full benefits. Additionally, the bill will adopt a measure of inflation that would make annual COLAs more fair and accurate, allowing older Americans to better keep up with rising costs.
TSCL enthusiastically supports the Social Security Guarantee Act since it would go a long way in ensuring the retirement security older Americans have earned and deserve. At a time when many in Congress are considering proposals that would cut Social Security benefits, we believe its passage is more important than ever.
In a letter to Congressman Jones, Ed Cates – TSCL’s Chairman – wrote: “The Senior Citizens League lends its enthusiastic support and the support of its membership to the Social Security Guarantee Act … We salute you for introducing legislation that would make the Social Security program more fair and reliable, and we look forward to informing our members and supporters about your efforts.”
In the months ahead, TSCL will advocate tirelessly for the Social Security Guarantee Act, and we hope to see it signed into law before the end of the 114th Congress. For updates on its progress, visit the Legislative News section of our website, or follow us on Twitter.
Congress Adjourns for Summer Recess
Late this week, lawmakers in the House and Senate adjourned for a seven-week summer recess. They are expected to return to Capitol Hill following the Labor Day holiday, on September 6th. In the meantime, most Members of Congress will be holding town hall meetings in their home states and districts, presenting constituents with an excellent opportunity to have their most pressing questions answered before the looming elections.
TSCL encourages its members and supporters to attend these events and to voice their concerns about important Social Security and Medicare issues like inadequate cost-of-living adjustments and skyrocketing prescription drug prices.
The following Members of Congress, among many others, will be holding town hall meetings next week: Sen. Jerry Moran (KS), Sen. Ron Wyden (OR), Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1), Rep. Scott Perry (PA-4), Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-4), Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-4), Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-5), and Rep. Tom Emmer (MN-6).
For details, or to see if your Members of Congress will be holding town hall meetings during the summer recess, call their local offices. You can find contact information HERE.
