As we heard a few weeks ago from the Public Trustees, unless Congress acts, in 2036 Social Security revenues will only cover 77 percent of promised benefits.  Congress must act and the sooner we do so, the sooner we can protect those who are most vulnerable. Republicans and Democrats agree on this much: current benefits should not change for those in or near retirement.  All… Read more

HEARING ON SOCIAL SECURITY'S FINANCES JOINT HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SECURITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS U.S.… Read more

U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security announced today that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Social Security’s current revenue streams, proposed changes to those structures and the impact they would have on the program, beneficiaries, workers and the economy.  The hearing will take place on… Read more

As we heard from the Public Trustees at our June 3rd hearing, Social Security revenues will cover only 77 percent of benefits by 2036.  Congress must act and the sooner we do so, the sooner we can protect those who are most vulnerable, along with current retirees and those nearing retirement.  And for younger workers and families, we have a responsibility to provide certainty… Read more

With talks on reaching a deal to cut spending and raise the debt ceiling reaching a critical stage, the venerable over-50 organization AARP has weighed in with a television advertisement that seeks to shift the focus from entitlement programs such as Medicare onto what it deems to be wasteful spending by Congress. We had earlier given the American public four Pinocchios for failing to… Read more

Washington, DC – Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Members, led by Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Ranking Member Xavier Becerra (D-CA), sent a letter to Social Security Administration (SSA) Inspector General Patrick O’Carroll inquiring into recent press reports which have raised concerns about decisions made by a Social Security administrative law judge (ALJ). In the letter… Read more

House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany, Jr, MD (R-LA) and Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) today announced that the Subcommittees on Oversight and Social Security will hold a hearing on the accuracy of payments made by the Social Security Administration (SSA).  The hearing will take place on Tuesday, June 14, 2010, in 1100… Read more

The American people have just been told by the Trustees for Social Security and Medicare that these programs are headed towards insolvency. So when they hear Social Security is owed billions due to wrongful payments, Americans want, need, and deserve answers. In FY 2009, overpayments totaled $6.5 billion for the retirement, disability, and Supplemental Security Income or SSI program,… Read more

Good afternoon.  I am pleased to welcome everyone to this afternoon’s joint hearing on payment accuracy in programs administered by the Social Security Administration.  As with past Subcommittee on Oversight hearings on Medicare fraud and refundable tax credits, today’s hearing is aimed at better understanding improper payments in Social Security programs and how taxpayer… Read more

SOCIAL SECURITY'S PAYMENT ACCURACY JOINT HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND … Read more