Bipartisan effort brings social security fairness act to house vote using rare legislative tactic

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Reps. Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) have successfully bypassed House leadership to bring the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 to the House floor for a vote. The bipartisan legislation, which seeks to repeal two long-standing provisions affecting Social Security benefits, earned the support of 128 members of Congress, clearing the way for a full vote.

Using a discharge petition, a rarely utilized legislative maneuver, Graves and Spanberger gathered enough signatures to bypass House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who had previously shown little interest in advancing the bill. The proposed Social Security Fairness Act would repeal two provisions from 1983 that reduce Social Security benefits for recipients who also receive pensions from state or local governments. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the repeal would cost $195 billion over the next decade.

Graves and Spanberger, in a joint statement, expressed determination to see the bill passed by both the House and Senate. The bill has received bipartisan support, with 47 Republicans and 171 Democrats backing it, despite concerns raised by some lawmakers and experts. Critics argue that a full repeal of these provisions could undermine fairness and equity.

The Social Security Fairness Act has become a focal point in ongoing discussions about Social Security reform, an issue that has also been debated in the 2024 presidential campaign.