Larson, Davis Call for Action to Safeguard Social Security Beneficiaries

WASHINGTON, DC—Ways and Means Committee Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (D-CT) and Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny K. Davis (D-IL) released the following statement in response to troubling reports on overpayments to Social Security beneficiaries:

“The impact of Social Security overpayment collections on seniors and people with disabilities remains a concern and cause for action. Recent news reports have highlighted that the harm and unfairness Social Security beneficiaries experience after unknowingly being overpaid is more widespread than previously thought. The need for action is clear. There must be a fundamental overhaul of Social Security’s overpayment process – one that puts seniors and Americans with severe disabilities first.

“In addition, when House Republicans let agencies languish under the guise of fiscal austerity, the American people suffer. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is already struggling to serve the public due to years of understaffing and underfunding, and we must put an end to Republicans’ relentless attempts to gut the agency’s customer service budget, including a recent House Republican effort to cut SSA’s budget by 30 percent.  

“President Biden has recognized the agency’s need. His request for a major funding increase is a much-needed step in the right direction, allowing the Social Security Administration to deal with these problems at their source.”