Two lawmakers, one from the far-right Freedom Caucus, unexpectedly killed a House bill aimed at restoring Social Security benefits for public employees in Louisiana and other states. The bill, HR 82, would eliminate provisions in the Social Security law that have limited benefits for public employees, including police officers, firefighters, teachers, and state government employees. Efforts to change these policies have been ongoing for 40 years. With 330 cosponsors in the House, including the entire Louisiana House delegation, the legislation has broad support.
While the bill faced unexpected opposition, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise plans to revive it through a procedure called “suspension of the rules.” Despite concerns about the bill’s cost, given the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate of $196 billion over the next 10 years, Scalise and other supporters believe it is necessary to correct these injustices against public servants.
The move to kill the bill was considered unusual and drew criticism from various organizations, including the Maryland State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. If the bill is ultimately passed, it faces potential challenges in the Senate due to concerns about the impact on the Social Security trust fund. However, supporters of the bill remain committed to fighting for its passage to address the longstanding issues faced by public employees who have been denied rightful benefits.
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