Compiled By Jason Doyle Oden
Lankford Calls for Disability Insurance Reform
Senator James Lankford warns of impending problems if Social Security Disability Insurance program reforms aren’t put in place. Oklahoma’s junior senator contends the reforms he’s proposing could help keep the fund from going insolvent next year.
“The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Trust Fund is sustained by payroll taxes on each check. When the trust fund goes insolvent next year, 14 million disabled Americans will face a drastic cut to benefits of almost 20 percent or the fund will have to be replenished with higher taxes,” Lankford said in a statement.
Lankford uses recent problems with fraud in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Puerto Rico as warning signs that reform is needed. He would like to prevent those receiving unemployment and earned income tax credit from also getting benefits from SSDI.
“By definition, disability insurance is reserved for those who cannot work, and unemployment insurance and the earned income tax credit are for those who can work or are already working,” Lankford said.
Additionally, Lankford calls for streamlining the administrative process and appeals. He would like to update the “vocational grid” used to define jobs in America which has not been updated since the mid-1970s. He also wants to take the federal government out of the business of collecting legal fees for Social Security attorneys representing those appealing for benefits.
Lankford and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch introduced the Improving the Integrity of Disability Evidence Act (S. 1198) which would ensure that state Social Security administrators only use medical evidence from reputable sources when making a disability determination.
Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Bill Becomes Law
President Obama signed a bill into law removing economic barriers for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Senator Lankford and Congressman Markwayne Mullin worked on the legislation together. The new law removes the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s charter of incorporation.
“I am grateful to work alongside Congressman Mullin and the Miami Tribe to resolve the long standing issue with the Tribe’s federal charter of incorporation,” said Lankford. “Too many Oklahomans struggle with outdated laws and regulations that continue to hold them back. H.R. 533 is an example of how we can work together to find solutions to eliminate federal economic barriers for Oklahoma.”
“I have worked on behalf of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to remove this outdated, unnecessary charter of incorporation since arriving in Congress, and I am proud that Senator Lankford and I were able to get this bill over the finish line,” said Mullin. “This is a common sense law, and I am happy to be able to contribute to the future growth and success of the Tribe.”
Russell Issues Waste Watch No. 2
Following in the footsteps of retired Senator Tom Coburn and his Wastebook, Congressman Steve Russell published his second edition of Waste Watch. It highlights ten instances where the federal government spent taxpayer funds in an unwise fashion according to Russell.
An example of possible waste includes spending $1.8 billion on Russian helicopters for Afghanistan. Russell’s report points out that the Afghanistan unit doesn’t have enough personnel to fly or maintain the fleet. It also suggests that the pilots and staff could have been trained and equipped with U.S. made helicopters at a lesser cost.
Russell’s report also lists the National Endowment for the Arts financing the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s political satire shows to the tune of $112,000, Department of Defense employees spending $1 million at casinos and strip clubs using government charge cards, and a computer game for high school students where environmental regulations save the world.
The ten examples outlined in Waste Watch No. 2 total nearly $4.2 billion.
