Social Security

News / National / State

Shelby proposes a balanced budget amendment

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, has re-introduced legislation proposing a constitutional amendment that would require Congress to pass a balanced budget. Shelby is concerned with our nation’s growing national debt, which has soared past $22 trillion. Shelby has introduced similar legislation each Congress since joining the Senate. “While our national debt continues to climb, it … Continued

May 7, 2019

Palmer bill would let seniors opt out of Medicare without losing Social Security benefits

Congressman Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, reintroduced the Retirement Freedom Act HR2108 on Thursday, which would allow senior citizens to opt out of Medicare without losing their Social Security benefits. Companion legislation was introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Mike Lee, R-Utah. “This bill would empower seniors by giving them more control over their healthcare decisions,” … Continued

April 15, 2019

Reps. Sewell, Larson introduce legislation to increase social security benefits, COLAs

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, D-Alabama, and Congressman John Larson, D-Connecticut, introduced the Social Security 2100 Act on Wednesday. The sponsors say that the legislation would increase Social Security benefits and financially strengthen the Social Security program overall. “Social Security should not only be protected, it should also be improved and expanded,” Sewell said. “Let’s be … Continued

January 31, 2019

Byrne introduces balanced budget amendment

Thursday, on the opening day of the 116th Congress, Alabama Republican Congressman Bradley Byrne introduced a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution, House Joint Resolution 6. The bill marks the first piece of legislation introduced by Congressman Byrne in the 116th Congress, which officially convened on Jan. 3. “We must balance the budget, … Continued

January 7, 2019

We don’t matter, because we don’t want to

I generally don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I have a few times, but not too often. The last New Year’s resolution I made was in 2012, about this time of the year, just before the world became 2013. I had just seen Les Miserables, the big-budget movie musical, and I loved it. I’ve seen the … Continued

December 28, 2018

Brooks warns of potential debilitating national insolvency after deficit jumps 17 percent

U.S. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, issued a warning about the potential for a “Debilitating National Insolvency and bankruptcy that robs America of the prosperity and peace we have long enjoyed” following the release of the Treasury Department’s preliminary Fiscal Year 2018 deficit projection of $779 billion and the Comptroller General’s statement that America’s fiscal path is … Continued

October 18, 2018

Alliance for Retired Americans endorses Lee Auman for US Congress

The Alliance for Retired Americans announced that they have endorsed Democrat James Lee Auman for U.S. Congress in Alabama’s 4th congressional district. The Alliance represents more than 4.4 million retirees, including 68,337 in Alabama. The Alliance wrote: “[we believe] that [Lee Auman’s] election to the House of Representatives will enhance the quality of life for … Continued

October 16, 2018

Go big, Sen. Jones, or go down trying

The perception, if not the reality, is that there is nobody to take the late Sen. John McCain’s place in the U.S. Senate as a “maverick,” or whatever one wishes to call McCain. There is no doubt that McCain leaves a void. He had a reputation for “independence,” if nothing else, even if that’s an … Continued

August 30, 2018

An Independence Day wish

A friend asked her Facebook followers this question on Independence Day: “On this beautiful 4th of July, I am just wondering what freedom means to you?” It’s a great question, and one well worth thinking about. One person wrote: “The right to think for myself is one thing.” Another quoted Nelson Mandela: “For to be … Continued

July 4, 2018

Group advocates for paid family and medical leave

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Family and Medical Leave Act was passed 25 years ago. The National Partnership for Women and Families celebrates this milestone but says that the country urgently needs a national paid leave plan. “Twenty-five years ago today, our nation took a major step toward a more equitable and family … Continued

February 6, 2018