Larson Fights to Protect Seniors and Workers from Republican Attacks

Washington, D.C. - Today, during the Ways and Means Committee markup of harmful legislation that would target innocent workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) offered an amendment to protect seniors on Social Security.  

“This Republican bill would target innocent workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic, received UI benefits, spent them in good faith on basic necessities, and have no idea their state made mistakes and overpaid their benefits,” said Larson. “This bill would require states to target those workers for 10 years, demanding they repay funds they no longer have or face steep penalties. As we approach the high holiday of St. Patrick's Day, I want to recall what Finley Peter Dunne said very clearly, ‘Trust everyone but cut the cards.’  

“My amendment would protect seniors by ensuring no beneficiary of Social Security receives a surprise bill and allows states to focus on real fraud instead. These are people who in good faith, filled out the forms, did so correctly, and received benefits they desperately needed because of the pandemic. Imagine you are a senior on a fixed income and then you get this surprise bill. Imagine the panic when you receive the notice you must immediately repay UI benefits you spent five years ago without knowing there was an overpayment. We believe in preventing fraud, but we also believe the attempts to prevent fraud cannot punish people who are on fixed incomes and in this situation through no fault of their own,” Larson continued.