Senate bill would keep Social Security benefits for federal debtors

Senate Democrats introduced a bill Thursday that would shield Social Security payments for Americans with federal debts. 

The bill, introduced by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), would change a law that allows the government to seize earned benefits from people with unpaid student loans, Veterans Administration home loans, food stamp overpayments and other federal debts.

“Americans are getting hit by a wrecking ball of increasing college costs, and the last thing they can afford is to have their Social Security benefits reduced to pay off student loans,” said Wyden, the Senate Finance committee’s top Democrat. “Students and their families in Oregon and across the country who have worked to earn their benefits should not be penalized for trying to improve their lives and keep up with the climbing price of higher education.”

“These modest benefits put food on the table, pay for prescriptions, and help with monthly bills. When Americans are crushed by student loan payments, they should be able to count on Social Security benefits,” added Brown, who chairs the Finance committee’s sub-panel on Social Security.

Other orginal co-sponsors include Democratic Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also backs the bill, called the Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act.