Mike Levin: “I voted, yesterday, in favor of the Ensign amendment to deny credit toward Social Security benefits claimed in violation…”

“I voted, yesterday, in favor of the Ensign amendment to deny credit toward Social Security benefits claimed in violation of the Social Security Act. This would deny benefits to people, including undocumented workers, who have, in the words of the act, ``willfully, knowingly, and with the intent to deceive used false Social Security numbers.'' The Ensign amendment was more carefully focused on denying benefits based on illegal use of a fake Social Security number, unlike previous Ensign amendments which I did not support. Yesterday's Ensign amendment requires the Commissioner of Social Security to deny Social Security benefits for work performed by any individual using a Social Security account number which was not his, in violation of section 208 of the Social Security Act at 42 U.S.C. 408. The Ensign amendment was adopted yesterday by the Senate. This amendment differs from a previous amendment offered by Senator Ensign in the 109th Congress, which could have harmed senior citizens and other individuals who may have made an honest error.”