Jeff Bingaman: “I had hoped to offer an amendment to the debt limit bill that would have rectified an unjust situation in the…”

“I had hoped to offer an amendment to the debt limit bill that would have rectified an unjust situation in the legislation concerning the Social Security earnings limit increase for retirees. My amendment would have reestablished the linkage between earnings limit increases for retirees and the blind, a linkage that has existed since 1977. Unfortunately the bill we are considering ends that linkage which I believe is unfair and not supported by adequate policy considerations. However, Mr. President, I understand that passage of this amendment would have potentially damaged completion of the debt limit bill, a bill that has too long been delayed by extremist politics, so therefore I do not feel that now is an appropriate time to pursue my amendment. However, Mr. President, it is my understanding that the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Mr. Moynihan, has given me his commitment to support my efforts in the Finance Committee and on the floor of the Senate, if necessary, to support an amendment that reestablishes some linkage between the blind and retirees on the next bill reported out of the Finance Committee that amends the Social Security Act.”