I thank the Chairman for holding this hearing today. We both agree that improper payments should not happen. However, we disagree on how to fix the problem. I believe that we need to fund the agency. Republican budget cuts harm beneficiaries, harm taxpayers, and harm the Social Security Trust Fund. We will see this clearly today.
The Republicans failure to fund the agency will cost taxpayers more than $200 million in improper payments this year alone.
Some now seem surprised and are here asking the agency, “What went wrong?" “What more needs to be done?"
We and the witnesses all know the answer to these questions. The agency needs more funding, more staffing, and more resources. It is that simple. The President’s request for next year, if funded, would save taxpayers $9 billion in improper payments over the next decade and up to $58 billion in the long run. We do not need a hearing to learn this. Therefore, I believe there must be something more. Why are we having this hearing?
I say again, as I have said at each hearing we have held, that I am troubled. I remain concerned by the path of this Committee.
I continue to ask, “Who is next?" “Who else is on your list?" We started the year with seniors and proposals to end Medicare. The Committee then moved to teachers and their pensions, and then to women’s health and the uninsured. Last month, the targets were middle-class, working families and the unemployed. Now, we have come back to seniors and added severely disabled adults and severely disabled children in very poor families. I am concerned about the people being added to this list.
Today, we are witnessing a self-fulfilling prophesy - Republican budget cuts are being used to put the Social Security Administration in a bad light. The truth is that the agency’s overpayment rate is extremely low. This agency provides vital payments to over 60 million Americans and families. One out of four households depends on these programs, including my friend, your neighbor, and the grandparents who live up the street. I ask that we all are mindful not to cast these Americans in a bad light.
I thank the witnesses for being here today. I also thank the employees of the Social Security Administration for their dedication and hard work each and every day.
Thank you.
