Discussion · House of Representatives
Judy Chu Democrat
“I want the House to vote against this bill. It gives the administration too much power to test changes to disability benefits, and I worry they will use it to cut the benefits that people rely on.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the risk that this bill poses to vulnerable Social Security disability benefits cannot be overstated. President Trump has tried time and time again to kick people with disabilities off of their benefits, including by pushing people into demonstration programs. This bill would give this administration open-ended authority to do that. Congress has authorized this kind of SSDI demonstration authority in the past but only after working with SSA to closely review its intended projects and their impacts. In contrast, the current SSA has not disclosed any information on how it plans to use the SSDI demonstration authority, and Ways and Means Republicans rejected a Democratic amendment that would have required a notice and public comment period for any demonstration before it gets enacted. The bottom line is that this administration cannot be trusted to not cut people’s benefits. These are earned benefits that people with disabilities rely on to make ends meet. This bill puts that lifeline in jeopardy, and that is why this House should reject this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,’’ and I yield back the balance of my time.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the risk that this bill poses to vulnerable Social Security disability benefits cannot be overstated. President Trump has tried time and time again to kick people with disabilities off of their benefits, including by pushing people into demonstration programs. This bill would give this administration open-ended authority to do that. Congress has authorized this kind of SSDI demonstration authority in the past but only after working with SSA to closely review its intended projects and their impacts. In contrast, the current SSA has not disclosed any information on how it plans to use the SSDI demonstration authority, and Ways and Means Republicans rejected a Democratic amendment that would have required a notice and public comment period for any demonstration before it gets enacted. The bottom line is that this administration cannot be trusted to not cut people’s benefits. These are earned benefits that people with disabilities rely on to make ends meet. This bill puts that lifeline in jeopardy, and that is why this House should reject this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,’’ and I yield back the balance of my time.