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Insider’s Report: Will GOP Hardliners Shut Down the Government This Time?
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More congressional turmoil lies ahead as lawmakers continue to work to avert a partial government shutdown. While progress has been made toward a spending deal among congressional leaders, hardliners in the U.S. House of Representatives continue to demand unpopular concessions, including a proposal that would create a so-
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called “fiscal commission” which could have the power to fast-track benefit cuts through Congress.
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More congressional turmoil lies ahead as lawmakers continue to work to avert a partial government shutdown. While progress has been made toward a spending deal among congressional leaders, hardliners in the U.S. House of Representatives continue to demand unpopular concessions, including a proposal that would create a so-called “fiscal commission” which could have the power to fast-track benefit cuts through Congress.
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These GOP hardliners are threatening to disrupt the basic functioning of government unless their extreme demands, which are unpopular with the public, are met. And so Congress could still be a long way off from a final deal that would avert a partial government shutdown on January 19.
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It’s clear that GOP extremists in the House do not seem to care what impact a shutdown would have on everyday Americans like you. In fact, many of them seem eager to roll the dice and shut down the government!
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And so we now face two fiscal deadlines, one on January 19, the other on February 2. If an agreement is not reached before the latter deadline, it could impact customer service at the Social Security Administration (SSA) depending on how long a government shutdown would last.
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While the possibility of a government shutdown does not pose as serious a threat to Social Security and Medicare as the averted federal default last spring would have, it is of serious concern to seniors and their advocates.
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Social Security payments would continue to go out because the process is largely automated. But if a shutdown lasts longer than a few days, for example, customer service for Social Security claimants and beneficiaries could be significantly disrupted.
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Bottom line, threatening a government shutdown if the demands of a small but vocal minority of lawmakers in the House don’t get their way is no way to conduct the People’s business.
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Please help us ensure your voice, as a senior American, is heard loud and clear in Washington during this time of heightened threats to your earned benefits. Sign our Emergency Petition to Congress today!
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Have You Listened to the National Committee’s First Podcast Episode?
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Listen to this episode from “You Earned This: The Social Security & Medicare Podcast!” on Spotify. In our very first episode, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's grandson, Jim Roosevelt, talks with host Walter Gottlieb about his grandfather's greatest legacy, the Social Security program — and the troubled agency (SSA) that administers benefits for 71 million beneficiaries every year. Jim also shares memories about his grandmother, Eleanor Roosevelt, including her commitment to women's retirement security. This bite-sized podcast is only 15 minutes long!
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Ask Us!
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Whether you’re retired or approaching retirement, our team of experts in the field of Social Security policy is available to answer your questions about benefits.
You can either search our archives for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns or submit your question here.
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This week’s question is:
The Department of Child Support Enforcement started garnishing my Social Security Disability Insurance benefit for child support arrears they claim I owed. This began after my son graduated from high school and turned 18. I do not owe child support nor do I owe child support arrears. Can you please help me contact the Social Security Administration to stop this illegal garnishment of my small Social Security Disability benefit?
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Click here to read the answer.
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Ask Us
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Whether you’re currently retired or approaching retirement, we can help answer your questions and provide valuable advice on Social Security.
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Join Now/Donate
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Your support sustains our campaigns in Washington to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
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Social Security Benefits
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Learn more about the Social Security program and the policies the National Committee supports that would strengthen your earned benefits.
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“On the Republican side, there is a growing understanding that proposals to cut benefits are deeply unpopular,” NCPSSM's Dan Adcock told States Newsroom. “So they’re trying to come up with other ideas: ‘Well, let’s grow the economy’ or ‘Let’s drill for oil.’ I’m skeptical that those are really what we need." (January 5, 2024, Virginia Mercury, Jennifer Shutt)
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Read Here →
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If you’re a retiree who relies on Social Security benefits for income, you will see some changes in 2024. You will get a benefit boost to adjust for inflation. But just how much extra money you see will depend on the size of your Medicare Part B premiums and any money for taxes withheld from your check. (January 2, 2024, CNBC, Lorie Konish)
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Read Here →
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As Medicare Advantage plans' share of the Medicare patient pie has ballooned to 30.8 million people, so too have concerns about the insurers' aggressive sales tactics and misleading coverage claims. (January 3, 2024, NPR, Sarah Jane Tribble)
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Read Here →
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More Americans with diabetes will get a break on their insulin costs in 2024. Sanofi is joining the nation’s two other major insulin manufacturers in offering either price caps or savings programs that lower the cost of the drugs to $35 for many patients. (January 2, 2024, CNN, Tami Luhby)
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Read More →
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Starting Jan. 1, the more than 65 million Americans who rely on Medicare will have better access to mental health coverage. Medicare now covers therapy appointments with licensed marriage and family counselors, and licensed professional counselors. (January 2, 2024, NPR, Juana Summers, Avery Keatley, Sarah Handel)
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Read More →
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Once you start Social Security retirement benefits, you are generally guaranteed to receive monthly checks for life. But that will stop once you die — with some exceptions for your loved ones. (January 5, 2024, CNBC, Lorie Konish)
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Read More →
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Big pharma companies including Pfizer are planning to raise prices on more than 500 drugs this month, according to a recent Reuters report. (January 2, 2024, Kiplinger, Joey Solitro)
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Read More →
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