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Remarks by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375: Social Security Act, Amendment
[CR page S-1747, 94 lines]
Attributed to MCCAIN (R-AZ)
By Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ford, Mr.
Warner, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Reed, Mr. DeWine,
Mr. Wellstone and Mr. Hagel):
S. 375. A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to restore the
link between the maximum amount of earnings by blind individuals permitted
without demonstrating ability to engage in substantial gainful activity and
the exempt amount permitted in determining excess earnings under the earnings
test; to the Committee on Finance.
THE BLIND PERSONS EARNINGS EQUITY ACT
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise today with my good friend, Senator Dodd,
to introduce an important piece of legislation which would have a tremendous
impact on the lives of many blind people. Our bill restores the 20-year link
between blind people and senior citizens in regard to the Social Security
earnings limit which has helped many blind people become self-sufficient and
productive.
Unfortunately, by passing the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act last
year, Congress broke the longstanding linkage in the treatment of blind
people and seniors under Social Security, which resulted in allowing the
earnings limit to be raised for seniors only and did not give blind people
the same opportunity to increase their earnings without penalizing their
Social Security benefits.
My intent when I sponsored the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act was not
to permanently break the link between blind people and the senior population.
Last year, time constraints and fiscal considerations forced me to focus
solely on raising the unfair and burdensome earnings limit for seniors. I am
happy to say that the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act became law last
year, and the earnings exemption for seniors is being raised in annual
increments until it reaches $30,000 in the year 2002. This law is allowing
millions of seniors to make their lives better and continue contributing to
society as productive workers.
We now should work in the spirit of fairness to ensure that this same
opportunity is given to the blind population. We should provide blind people
the opportunity to be productive and" make it on their own. We should not
continue policies which discourage these individuals from working and
contributing to society.
The bill I am introducing today, along with Senator Dodd, will restore the
traditional linkage between seniors and blind people and allow them the same
consideration as seniors in regard to the Social Security earnings test. This
bill would reunite the earnings exemption amount for blind people with the
exemption amount for senior citizens. If we do not reinstate this link, blind
people will be restricted to earning $14,400 in the year 2002 in order to
protect their Social Security benefits, compared to the $30,000 which seniors
will be permitted to earn.
There are very strong and convincing arguments in favor of reestablishing
the link between these two groups and increasing the earnings limit for blind
people.
First, the earnings test treatment of our blind and senior populations has
historically been identical. Since 1977, blind people and senior citizens
have shared the identical earnings exemption threshold under title II of the
Social Security Act. Now, senior citizens will be given greater opportunity
to increase their earnings without having their Social Security benefits
being penalized; the blind, however, will not have the same opportunity.
The Social Security earnings test imposes as great a work disincentive for
blind people as it does for senior citizens. In fact, the earnings test
probably provides a greater aggregate disincentive for blind individuals
since many blind beneficiaries are of working age--18-65--and are capable of
productive work.
Blindness is often associated with adverse social and economic
consequences. It is often tremendously difficult for blind individuals to
find sustained employment or any employment at all, but they do want to work.
They take great pride in being able to work and becoming productive members
of society. By linking the blind with seniors in 1977, Congress provided a
great deal of hope and incentive for blind people in this country to enter
the work force. Now, we are taking that hope away from them by not allowing
them the same opportunity to increase their earnings as senior citizens.
Blind people are likely to respond favorably to an increase in the earnings
test by working more, which will increase their tax payments and their
purchasing power and allow the blind to make a greater contribution to the
general economy. In addition, encouraging the blind to work and allowing them
to work more without being penalized would bring additional revenue into the
Social Security trust funds. In short, restoring the link between blind
people and senior citizens for treatment of Social Security benefits would
help many blind people become self sufficient, productive members of society.
I want to stress that it was always my intent that the link between blind
and senior populations would only be temporarily broken. I urge my colleagues
to join me in sponsoring this important measure to restore fair and equitable
treatment for our blind citizens and to give the blind community increased
financial independence. Our Nation would be better served if we restore the
work incentive equality provision for the blind and provide them with the
same freedom, opportunities and fairness as our Nation's seniors.
I ask unanimous consent that numerous letters of support from various
community groups and state organizations be included as a part of the Record.
In addition, I would like to thank the many chapters of the National
Federation of the Blind from throughout the country who have sent letters of
support for this important piece of legislation including the Arizona
Chapter, Idaho Western Chapter, Minnesota, Alabama, South Carolina, Shoreline
Chapter of Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota's Metro Chapter, Virginia,
Maryland, Connecticut, New York, Utah, Pennsylvania, California, Mississippi,
Wisconsin, Idaho s Elmore County, and the Pend Oreille Chapter of Idaho.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1748, 18 lines]
National Industries for the Blind,
Alexandria, VA, February 21, 1997.
Hon. John McCain,
241 Russell Senate Office Building, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator McCain: On behalf of National Industries for the Blind and our
119 associated industries in 38 states, that employ over 5,300 people who are
blind, I vigorously endorse your proposed legislation to amend title II of
the Social Security Act.
This legislation to re-institute the linkage, between people who are blind
and senior citizens, if passed, will allow people who are blind to strive for
full employment.
Please let us know how NIB can be of further assistance to you as you seek
support of this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Judith D. Moore.
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1748, 31 lines]
Rehabilitation Advisory Council
for the Blind,
St. Paul, MN, February 20, 1997.
Hon. John McCain,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator McCain: On behalf of the Rehabilitation Advisory Council for
the Blind in Minnesota, I wish to express our strong support for the
restoration of the earnings limits linkage under the Social Security Act
between the blind and age 65 retirees. It is my understanding that you will
be introducing a bill to achieve this restoration. We commend you for your
willingness to exercise leadership on behalf of blind people who want to work
and participate actively and productively in society. We support your bill.
The Social Security earnings limit for the blind is presently set at
$12,000 per year. As I am sure you are aware, this is a powerful disincentive
for blind people to leave the Social Security rolls and become self-
supporting citizens. This barrier to self-support will become even more
insurmountable as the gap between the blind and senior citizens widens. It is
vital, therefore, that the blind achieve parity with age 65 retirees insofar
as earnings limits under the Social Security Act are concerned. Using the
figures that apply to senior citizens, this means raising the earnings limit
for the blind to $30,000 per year by the year 2002.
Thank you for recognizing the problem and taking forthright action to deal
with it.
Yours sincerely,
Curtis Chong,
Chairperson, Rehabilitation Advisory
Council for the Blind.
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1748, 22 lines]
Louisiana Center for the Blind,
Ruston, LA, February 21, 1997.
Dear Senator McCain: Since 1985, the Louisiana Center for the Blind has
provided training and job placement services for hundreds of blind adults
throughout the country. One of our primary goals is to help blind persons
become employed so that they can become productive, tax-paying citizens. Over
the past twelve years, we have observed that one of the main disincentives
for employment is the earnings limit under Social Security Disability
Insurance.
As the director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind, I want to express my
strong support for your bill which would restore the linkage between the
blind and retirees for the earnings limit under the Social Security Act.
Since the unemployment rate among the blind is a staggering 70%, I firmly
believe that your bill will decrease this statistic by helping blind
Americans enter the workforce.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the nation's blind.
Sincerely,
Joanne Wilson,
Director.
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1748, 27 lines]
National Council of State
Agencies for the Blind, Inc.,
Boston, MA, February 25, 1997.
Hon. John McCain,
U.S. Senate, Russell Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator McCain: Please accept this letter of support and applause from
the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind as a testimony to the
reality that your effort to reestablish the link for Blind SSDI recipients to
the earnings limits of persons who are elderly is both timely and well
grounded as a benefit to the national economy.
There is no question in the view of this organization which has a primary
role of assisting blind persons to return to work, that reestablishment of
the linkage would positively impact the decision of many persons to do so.
Removing the disincentive of lower earnings before a total cut-off of
benefits and reestablishing the linkage of a higher earnings limit would
afford those persons capable of rejoining the national work force with the
powerful personal reason to do so through sustained economic security.
Please be assured of the support and any assistance you may require of this
organization as you take on this progressive and needed challenge to restore
the earnings linkage. I may be reached at the above address or by phoning
(617)-727-5550 extension 4503 in the event you wish to communicate further.
Sincerely,
Charles H. Crawford,
President.
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1748, 23 lines]
American Council of the Blind,
Washington, DC, February 25, 1997.
Hon. John McCain,
U.S. Senate, 241 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator McCain: On behalf of the national membership of the American
Council of the Blind, I write to applaud your efforts to restore the
statutory linkage between the earnings limit for seniors and blind SSDI
beneficiaries. This bill will go a long way to improving employment
opportunities for blind people, who struggle to enter and remain in the work
force. In the words of Jim Olsen, a member of the American Council of the
Blind of Minnesota, "restoring the linkage will enable blind people to
continue to work, pay taxes, and believe in the American spirit of the work
ethic."
Our members are urging their Senators to support your bill to restore
linkage, and we are keeping them informed of your efforts on their behalf.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance in this matter.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Julie H. Carroll,
Director of Governmental Affairs.
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1748, 37 lines]
Metairie, LA,
February 22, 1997.
Hon. John McCain,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator McCain: I am writing to express our strong support for your
bill to restore the linkage of earnings limits under the Social Security Act
which apply to age 65 retirees and blind people of any age. The position of
the National Federation of the Blind on this matter is best expressed in a
resolution (copy attached) which was unanimously adopted at our 1996 National
Convention.
Your leadership on behalf of beneficiaries who want to contribute to
society by working has earned our utmost respect. The Social Security
earnings limit, presently at $12,000 annually, is the greatest barrier to
self-support for blind people. In fact, I would say that the single factor of
the earnings limit is more destructive to the self-support efforts of blind
people than any other social condition.
By raising the earnings exemption threshold for blind people to $30,000
beginning in 2002, your bill would substantially remove any disincentive to
work for blind people. For that reason, we applaud your efforts and pledge
our full support.
Although I think that restoring the linkage is all right for the present, I
believe that congress should totally eliminate the earnings limit and place
us in the same classification as those 70 and over, this would not only
provide a significant work incentive, but would also eliminate the cumbersome
process of reporting both our earnings and impairment related work related
expenses now required under the law. This has caused problems because of the
confusion among Social Security Administration employees some of whom are
unaware of the special provisions for blind persons.
I personally have had my earnings continuously started and stopped since
1991 not because of anything I have done that disqualifies me from receiving
them, but due to the confusion of S.S.A. personnel. I feel that classifying
blind persons the same as those 70 and over would ultimately provide an even
better work incentive than the restoration of the linkage.
Thank you for responding to the need.
Very truly yours,
Harvey Heagy.
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1749, 40 lines]
Connecticut Community Advocates, Specialized Educational Services,
Westbrook, CT, February 21, 1997.
Hon. John McCain,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Attention: Sonya Sotak
Dear Senator McCain: As a member of the CT. C.A.S.E.S., I have counseled
many blind individuals who want to work. I have compared their potential
entry level salary to their Social Security benefits. Too often, these work-
bound blind citizens realize that after taxes and work expenses, their new
job will not replace or equal their lost disability benefits. Few blind
people can afford to sacrifice income, and they must remain idle in order to
receive a guaranteed monthly check. The chance to work, earn, pay taxes, and
become a contributing member of our society is a valid goal for all
Americans; but with the existing law under title II of the Social Security
Act, it is an unobtainable goal for blind people.
However, Senator McCain, your leadership and foresight in introducing a
bill to restore the linkage of earnings limits under the Social Security Act
for seniors and the blind will enable both groups to work. In addition, they
will be able to join the work-force without fear. Your bill will restore
fairness, equity, and hope for the working age blind person. The blind want
to work and with your bill they will work. The staff of CT. C.A.S.E.S. and
clients would like to convey our strong support and appreciation for your
bill to restore the linkage of earnings limit under the Social Security Act
which applies to retirees and blind people of any age.
I know from personal experience, just how strict the earnings limit is for
blind people who attempt to work. My earnings exceeded the exempt amount and
the entire sum paid to the primary beneficiary, myself, and my dependents was
abruptly withdrawn. After subtracting the travel expenses etcetera, from the
salary I obtained from being employed, it was quite evident that my real
earnings were much less than my monthly disability benefits. At present many
blind people will lose financially by going to work but with the enactment of
your bill, restoring the linkage, they will not lose. These blind people will
become part of the working force. They will pay taxes. They will become fully
integrated and truly achieve first class status as working Americans.
Paula A. Krauss,
Director CT. C.A.S.E.S.
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Text Inserted by MCCAIN (R-AZ) on S. 375 [CR page S-1749, 27 lines]
National Federation of the Blind,
Baltimore, MD, February 12, 1997.
Hon. John McCain,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator McCain: I am writing to express our strong support for your
bill to restore the linkage of earnings limits under the Social Security Act
which apply to age 65 retirees and blind people of any age. The position of
the National Federation of the Blind on this matter is best expressed in a
resolution (copy attached) which was unanimously adopted at our 1996 National
Convention.
Your leadership on behalf of beneficiaries who want to contribute to
society by working has earned our utmost respect. The Social Security
earnings limit, presently at $12,000 annually, is the greatest barrier to
self-support for blind people. In fact, I would say that the single factor of
the earnings limit is more destructive to the self-support efforts of blind
people than any other social condition.
By raising the earnings exemption threshold for blind people to $30,000
beginning in 2002, your bill would substantially remove any disincentive to
work for blind people. For that reason, we applaud your efforts and pledge
our full support.
Thank you for responding to the need.
Very truly yours,
James Gashel,
Director of Governmental Affairs,
National Federation of the Blind.
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Remarks by DODD (D-CT) on S. 375: Social Security Act, Amendment
[CR page S-1749, 49 lines]
Attributed to DODD (D-CT)
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise with my dear friend and colleague, Senator
McCain, to introduce legislation of vital importance to Americans who happen
to be blind. Its purpose is simply to restore the Social Security earnings
limitation for the blind to the same level as that for America's senior
citizens.
Mr. President, the English poet John Milton once said that "To be blind is
not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable."
Over the past 20 years, blind Americans have made amazing progress in
shouldering those difficult burdens. Today, millions of blind Americans have
achieved more independent and rewarding lives for themselves.
The legislation that we introduce today will ensure that this progress
continues by restoring an important work incentive for close to 150,000 blind
Americans. This bill would reestablish the identical earnings exemption
threshold for blind and senior citizen beneficiaries under the Social
Security Act, which had been the law from 1977 until just last year.
Prior to 1977, blind people were overwhelmingly dependent on disability
benefits. What's worse, many of them could not afford to work without risking
the loss of the basic security that these benefits provided.
However, in that year, we raised the earnings exemption for the blind to
the same level as retirees--from $500 to $940 a month. That modest step
encouraged millions of blind Americans to work by allowing them to keep more
of what they earned.
Unfortunately, last year, when the Congress raised the earnings limit for
seniors, it failed to extend the same benefits to the blind.
The impact of this unfortunate step has been significant. As the law now
stands, a senior citizen may earn $13,500 in 1997 and $30,000 by the year
2002 without any reduction of benefits. A blind person, on the other hand,
may only earn $12,000 today, and only $14,400 in 2002. While this provides
terrific encouragement for seniors to work, it reenshrines into law the
disincentive for blind people that existed before 1977.
There are approximately 1.1 million people in the United States who are
blind under the Social Security definition. Of those, 713,000 of the 1.1
million are 65 or older, and they are considered retirees, not blind people.
But there are roughly 387,000 people who are blind, and under retirement
age, who have been adversely affected by the severed link between retirees
and the blind. Of the 332,000 blind people who are 20 or older, more than 70
percent are unemployed. We must not make their efforts to find meaningful and
rewarding work more difficult. Rather, we should encourage blind Americans in
their noble endeavors. Our legislation would do just that by raising the
earnings limit and linking it once again to the senior citizens exempt
account.
In closing, Mr. President, allow me to commend Senator McCain for his
leadership here. He has once again demonstrated his commitment to ensuring
that all Americans have a fair and equal opportunity to enjoy the fruits of
their labors and the blessings of our great Nation. I urge our colleagues to
join us in supporting this legislation.
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