Washington, DC – Last night, Congresswoman Moore (WI-04) introduced, H.R. 7195, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, which would make key reforms to the Social Security Act to guarantee vulnerable populations have the resources they need to maintain basic living standards and avoid the grips of poverty.
“It’s widely understood on both sides of the aisle that Congress needs to improve the fiscal outlook of Social Security. In order to achieve that goal, we have to make the program more effective. My bill works to that end by relying on proven anti-poverty tools to ensure that women, the elderly, and low-income populations, in Milwaukee and across the country, receive the benefits and support they need to thrive.
“For much of my life, I lived in poverty. Cash assistance, food stamps, and social services afforded me the tools I needed to lift my family out of impoverishment and to construct the foundation upon which I’ve built my life. I came to Congress to make sure all Americans have that same chance, and this bill is an important part of that mission.”
The Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act would update the Special Minimum Benefit to 100% of the poverty threshold, increase an individual’s benefits 20 years after becoming eligible for retirement, and reinstate the student benefit for children with disabled, diseased, or retired parents. The bill would pay for these measures by eliminating the cap on Social Security payroll contributions and gradually raising the contribution rate for employers and employees to 6.5% over six years.
The bill’s text is available here.
