John Shaw: “Mr. Speaker, the House today will consider the Social Security Program Protection Act of 2002. It is legislation that…”

“Mr. Speaker, the House today will consider the Social Security Program Protection Act of 2002. It is legislation that would provide the Social Security Administration with the additional tools it needs to fight activities that drain program resources and undermine the financial security of beneficiaries. Many Social Security and supplemental security income beneficiaries have individuals or organizations called representative payees appointed by the agency to help manage their financial affairs when they are not capable. Nearly 7 million beneficiaries entrust their finances to representative payees who help safeguard their income and make sure expenditures are made in their best interests. Most are conscientious and honest. However, some are not. This bill raises the standard for representative payees and imposes stricter regulation and monetary penalties on those who take advantage of seniors. The bill also expands the existing prohibition against fugitive felons receiving benefits. In 1996, Congress denied supplemental security income benefits to persons fleeing prosecution or confinement. However, fugitive felons can still receive title II benefits. This is plain wrong, and H.R. 4070 denies benefits to those fleeing justice. Furthermore, the protection act enhances the ability of the Inspector General to fight fraud through new civil monetary penalties.”