[Nfbf-l] Fw: Senator Nelson offers way to cover Social Security checks

[Sherri]

Senator Bill Nelson's e-BriefsHello all,

    The following comes from senator Bill Nelson's office. He has proposed 
legislation which if passed will assure that social security and disability 
checks go out on time. I wrote to him thanking him. On his site, there is an 
email form. It is very easy to use and doesn't even have one of those stupid 
captchas (the numbers you have to fill in). Please write and thank him for 
proposing this. 'Thank you.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Senator Bill Nelson
To: flmom2006 at gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 4:31 PM
Subject: Senator Nelson offers way to cover Social Security checks


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                              July 13, 2011

                              Dear Friends,

                              Just wanted to let you know that I have 
introduced legislation designed to ensure our government is able to continue 
making Social Security payments even if partisan games lead us into default. 
While I’m optimistic that both parties will reach a compromise and avoid 
catastrophe, I’m doing everything I can to ensure Social Security’s 
obligations are fulfilled, no matter what happens.

                              Below is the news release regarding the 
legislation, which I introduced today.


                                Senator offers way to cover Social Security 
checks, if government defaults

                                Similar step was taken by Congress in 1996

                                WASHINGTON, DC – The Treasury Department 
would be able to cover tens of millions of Social Security checks in the 
event of a government default, under legislation introduced in the Senate 
today.

                                Saying nearly four million people in Florida 
alone rely on Social Security checks, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson ( D-FL ) filed 
legislation that would temporarily let officials not have to count Social 
Security obligations against the national debt limit.

                                A similar non-traditional approach was 
passed by Congress in 1996 during a conflict between then-Democratic 
President Bill Clinton and the Republican-controlled Congress over funding 
for major programs including Medicare.

                                Nelson disclosed he’s filing an updated 
version of the 1996 bill to protect Social Security in a letter to Treasury 
Secretary Timothy Geithner. His letter comes in the wake of President 
Obama's stark warning this week that Social Security payments may not go out 
next month, if Congress cannot agree on a package of spending cuts and an 
increase in the debt ceiling before Aug. 2.

                                A few Social Security measures already have 
been filed by other lawmakers, but they are generally limited to making 
benefits a priority among competing government payments. They do not ensure 
that Social Security checks will be paid.

                                “During the 1996 debt-limit situation 
Congress passed a special temporary law that said Social Security didn’t 
count against the debt limit,” Nelson wrote in his letter to Geithner. 
“Would such a non-traditional measure be needed today? Would pending 
legislation that prioritizes Social Security obligations suffice? If not, I 
stand ready with legislation that would temporarily exempt Social Security 
obligations from the public debt limit.

                                “If congressional leaders fail to get beyond 
the partisan games and reach an agreement on spending cuts … the stakes are 
high not only for our economy, but also for the millions of seniors who 
depend solely on Social Security,” he wrote.

                                The Treasury Secretary anticipates the 
country will hit the debt limit on Aug. 2. Some benefit checks are supposed 
to go out as soon as Aug. 3.

                                “Time is of the essence,” Nelson said in his 
letter in which he asked Geithner for an immediate response on the best 
option.
                                #


                              Sincerely,






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