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

Last week marked the 10-year anniversary of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA). As noted in a report by the Tax Foundation, these tax rates, which were fully phased-in as of 2003, will soon be among the longest lasting tax rates in history. Though it has been suggested on numerous occasions by Congressional Democrats and the Administration that they… Read more

Washington, DC – In a report requested by Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) that was released last week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that participation in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) return to work program, known as Ticket to Work, while… Read more

Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statements today after the Administration announced that Colombia had complied with all elements of the Action Plan Related to Labor Rights that were due by June 15, 2011: Chairman Camp stated:  “Colombia has again met its commitments, and it is time for the U.S. to… Read more

Today, Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) outlined a plan which he says would reduce Medicare spending by $200 billion and extend the program's solvency for approximately 20 years.  While his call for higher taxes — especially when the unemployment rate is at 9.1 percent — is troubling, he deserves credit for recognizing that Medicare is fast going broke and is in need of… Read more

A report released this week by the McKinsey Group, consistent with two other recent independent studies, reinforces the reality that too many employers, employees and their families are already facing – health care costs continue to increase because of the new health care law.  This despite repeated promises from President Obama that his current health care overhaul would ensure that… Read more

"I am concerned about the fact that the recovery that we're on is not producing jobs as quickly as I want it to happen," Obama said at an appearance with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "We don't yet know whether this is a one-month episode or a longer trend." Source: Department of Labor unemployment rate data and Obama Administration January 2009 projections (in “The… Read more

The federal government's financial condition deteriorated rapidly last year, far beyond the $1.5 trillion in new debt taken on to finance the budget deficit, a USA TODAY analysis shows. The government added $5.3 trillion in new financial obligations in 2010, largely for retirement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. That brings to a record $61.6 trillion the total of… Read more

During a recent hearing of the Ways and Means Committee, job creators from across the country shared the challenges their businesses face under the current tax code.  Witnesses expressed support for approaches proposed in the Republicans' Jobs Agenda which calls for lower tax rates, more certainty and greater simplicity. They urged Congress to take action to make America a more… Read more

"Now, my administration has a job to do as well, and that job is to get this economy back on its feet," President Obama declared on July 14, 2009, in Warren, Mich. "That's my job, and it's a job I gladly accept. I love these folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say, well, this is Obama's economy. That's fine. Give it to me." OK. It's yours. The unemployment rate… Read more