House Passes Debt-Limit Bill That Trims Social Security Administration Budget

A cut of 23% “would exacerbate glaring customer service problems at the SSA,” Richtman said. “Social Security claimants have suffered through interminable wait times on the agency’s 800 phone number, field office closures, and long delays obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance hearings.”

Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, said in a statement Wednesday after the vote that “if this bill becomes law, it will force SSA to close field offices, reduce hours, and lay off thousands of workers. This will make it far harder for Americans to claim the benefits they’ve earned.”

Republicans, though, are staunchly defending the proposed legislation. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said in a statement after the vote that McCarthy “is pushing to use the debt limit as a time to take stock of government spending, which has been too high for too long.”

McCarthy “has united House Republicans around a plan to responsibly raise the debt limit, while limiting government spending, saving taxpayer money and growing our economy,” McHenry added. “It’s time for President Biden to put partisanship aside and come to the table to negotiate with Republicans to avoid default and get America’s fiscal house in order.”