Leaders have stated that the Senate is anticipated to cast the final vote on legislation proposing modifications to Social Security rules.

• The Senate is expected to vote on a bill that would increase Social Security benefits for approximately 3 million people as its final legislative days for the year come to an end.
• The Social Security Fairness Act aims to abolish longstanding rules that diminish Social Security benefits for individuals with public sector pensions.

A bill that could enhance Social Security benefits for approximately 3 million individuals is nearing a final Senate vote.

On Wednesday, the chamber approved the consideration of the Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan proposal that aims to repeal certain rules that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pension income from public sector work.

Although a 73 majority vote supported the bill's advancement, some opposition was expressed by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who argued that the change would result in additional costs. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset would amount to $196 billion over a decade.

Individuals who receive pension or disability benefits from jobs where they did not pay Social Security payroll taxes have their Social Security benefits reduced by the WEP. Similarly, spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive their own government pension income have their Social Security benefits reduced by the GPO.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget states that passing the bill would delay Social Security's trust fund insolvency dates by six months. If no change is made, the program's trust fund, which funds retirement benefits, is projected to run out in 2033, with 79% of benefits still payable.

Tillis stated in a Senate speech prior to the vote on the bill that we will be passing an unfunded $200 billion spending package for a trust fund that is predicted to become insolvent within the next nine to 10 years, while pretending that someone else will resolve the issue.

Tillis stated that lawmakers are not taking into account the 97% of beneficiaries who would not gain from the bill, but who would suffer from the program's future repercussions.

Many workers are concerned about the Social Security Fairness Act and its potential impact on their retirement benefits.

Tillis stated that the bill had not undergone a hearing in any committee in the House or Senate.

In November, the House passed the Social Security Fairness Act following a discharge petition filed by Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Garret Graves. However, the Senate's cloture vote restricted its ability to discuss the bill further.

The 27 Senate leaders who voted against the Social Security Fairness Act's final vote were all Republicans, except for Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent from West Virginia.

The bill was advanced by Senators from both parties, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Vice President-elect JD Vance, R-Ohio.

'No excuse for treating our public servants this way'

Those who spoke in favor of the bill on the Senate floor prior to the vote on Wednesday did so, citing the financial struggles of their constituents.

Over 2 million individuals' Social Security benefits were impacted by the WEP, and more than 650,000 people were affected by the GPO, according to Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who co-led the Senate version of the bill.

After her husband's death, a 72-year-old constituent was forced to return to work due to the GPO reducing her Social Security widow benefits by two-thirds, according to Collins.

Collins stated that due to the lack of financial security, she was forced to return to work after the GPO penalty left her with limited options.

A retired Louisiana schoolteacher, affected by the GPO, visited Sen. Bill Cassidy's office and broke into tears, expressing confusion over why her Social Security spousal benefits were reduced.

"She felt like she was being punished for educating generations of Louisiana children," Cassidy said. "It's unacceptable to treat our public servants this way."

If the Senate passes the bill, it will be a win for Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who co-led the bill. Brown has been pushing for the change for more than two decades, and Collins has been a key supporter. Brown is leaving the Senate after losing a reelection campaign.

The House bill introduced by Reps. Spanberger and Graves is being left by them as they depart from Congress.

Brown urged his colleagues in a Wednesday Senate speech to join him in restoring Social Security for those who protect the country and have earned it through a lifetime of work.