On the first day of the new Congress, proponents of cutting Social Security have hidden major disability program changes in an unrelated, routine package that sets the rules for the U.S. House of Representatives. These changes to the Social Security disability program have not been considered in hearings or open to input from constituents.
As Members of Congress are organizing for the new session, the rules governing debate and procedure in the House must be approved. Tucked in this package is a provision that takes off the table a routine shift in Social Security revenues needed to prevent a 20% cut in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in 2016.
This vote is happening this evening – call your Member of Congress now to support SSDI.
In 2016 Social Security’s disability fund will face a long-expected shortfall due to demographic trends such as the nation’s aging population. Since Social Security was enacted, Congress has “reallocated” payroll tax revenues between the retirement and disability trust funds – about equally in both directions – some 11 times, on a bipartisan basis, to account for such demographic shifts.
The House rules package would hold SSDI hostage by putting up roadblocks to another routine, common-sense shift in Social Security revenues. Unless Congress acts to temporarily increase dollars going into the disability fund, in 2016 SSDI beneficiaries will face a 20% benefit cut.
Instead of having a meaningful debate about the future of Social Security and SSDI, House leadership is seeking to make major policy changes that will affect millions of people without hearings or input from their constituents, essentially in the dead of the night.
Call your Member of the House of Representatives today and ask him/her to protect SSDI and vote NO on the House rules.
- The House rules package contains a harmful provision that could force cuts to Social Security, including Social Security Disability Insurance.
- People with disabilities rely on this program for basic needs – any cuts will have a devastating effect on our/their lives.
- This major policy is being done without hearings or input from your constituents, essentially in the dead of the night.
- Vote NO on the House rules package when it comes up for a vote today.
https://pod51043.outlook.com/owa/?ver=16.0.532.13&cver=16.0.532.13&cf=0&vC=1#path=/mail
for further information: http://www.offthechartsblog.org/house-rule-could-hurt-vulnerable-disability-beneficiaries/
