Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Bill Cassidy are spending their final months as senators attempting to protect tens of millions of Social Security beneficiaries from a projected 22% cut starting in six years. Tackling the issue is one of the most politically hazardous efforts a member of Congress can undertake, making it notable that the drive is being led by two lawmakers with little to lose at this point in their careers. "We’ve been at this six years, eight years.
It’s incredible how long I’ve been at it," Cassidy said. "But Durbin came up to me and he goes, ’Bill, I’m leaving the Senate soon. We need to take a ride at it.'" Their plan to secure the program's solvency is among a small number formally introduced this Congress.
While none has gained significant traction, it serves as a starting point for a problem that will soon confront incoming senators and the next president as 2032 approaches. The measure that Durbin, D-Ill., and Cassidy, R-La., are pushing would not dictate an outcome, but instead set up a process for Congress to take action. It calls for the bipartisan Social Security Advisory Board to collect public input and submit draft legislation to Congress that would keep the program's retirement trust fund solvent for at least 50 years.
The resulting bill would then be introduced by the majority leaders of the Senate and House. If they do not want to go along, any member could sponsor the bill. It would then be referred to the two committees with jurisdiction over Social Security — the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.
Both committees would have the chance to debate the bill and amend it if they wish. If not, the original bill drafted by the advisory board would be placed on the Senate and House calendars for consideration. Lawmakers could offer substitute proposals, with final votes after 100 hours of debate.
Passage would require a three-fifths vote in the 100-member Senate and a simple majority in the 435-member House. Even though the bill does not prescribe a solution for replenishing Social Security, sponsors have struggled to win support. Cassidy voiced exasperation in a recent floor speech.
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