As I write this, the Senate is considering important legislation to fund our nation’s highway system – but how? Unfortunately, some Senators believe that it’s a good idea to partially pay for our highways by cutting Social Security.
These cuts would erode the financial security of millions of Americans who rely on Social Security retirement or disability benefits or SSI.
Some proposals would arbitrarily terminate benefits for hundreds of thousands of elderly and disabled people who have arrest warrants. Many of the warrants are decades old and for minor offenses. They often include inaccurate information, leaving people at risk of having their benefits terminated because of mistaken identity.
Some proposals would cut to SSDI for beneficiaries who also receive Unemployment Insurance. Such cuts create a disincentive to work and harm people with disabilities who try to work and get laid off. SSDI and UI are earned benefits, paid for by workers and their employers.
There are better, more humane ways to repair our highways.