Senator Ron Wyden (D. Oregon) introduced a bill on December 10, 2015 that would allow people in debt to the government to maintain their Social Security benefits. At present, Americans who owe money for student loans, Veterans Administration home loans, food stamp payments, and other debts can have their Social Security benefits seized by the government.
The bill, which is introduced by Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Sherrod Brown (D. Ohio), seeks to change this trend.
Senator Wyden explains more about the goal of the bill to The Hill:
“Americans are getting hit by a wrecking ball of increasing college costs, and the last thing they can afford is to have their Social Security benefits reduced to pay off student loans,” said Wyden, the Senate Finance committee’s top Democrat. “Students and their families in Oregon and across the country who have worked to earn their benefits should not be penalized for trying to improve their lives and keep up with the climbing price of higher education.”
“These modest benefits put food on the table, pay for prescriptions, and help with monthly bills. When Americans are crushed by student loan payments, they should be able to count on Social Security benefits,” added Brown, who chairs the Finance committee’s sub-panel on Social Security.
The bill has garnered support from many Democratic senators, as well as from presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Photo by Teresa Boardman via Flickr License
