James Pickle: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4277, the Social Security Administrative Reform Act of 1994. As I would…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4277, the Social Security Administrative Reform Act of 1994. As I would hope all Members are aware, this legislation would establish the Social Security Administration as an independent agency, thereby helping to insulate this vital program from partisan political pressures. The House has overwhelmingly voted in favor of this provision in the past, and, earlier this year, the Senate, under the able leadership of Senator Moynihan, recognized the merits of this approach. In addition, this bill contains several important provisions which are the result of investigations by the Subcommittee on Oversight, including: Preventing fraud by middlemen in obtaining benefits through the Social Security and SSI disability insurance programs; requiring periodic continuing disability reviews for people receiving benefits under the SSI Disability Insurance Program--an amendment by Mr. Herger; and prohibiting the misuse of symbols, emblems, or names related to the Social Security Administration, the Health Care Financing Administration, and the Treasury Department. Each of these reforms will protect American taxpayers from currently widespread abuse in these programs which are so important to the general public welfare. They will prevent the payments of hundreds of millions of dollars of benefits to those who are not entitled to benefits.”