{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-scanlon-introduce-bill-stop-social-security-cuts-seniors-people", "Davids, Scanlon Introduce Bill to Stop Social Security Cuts for Seniors, People with Disabilities", "2026-04-15", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced new legislation to change a longstanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rule that can reduce benefits for seniors and people with disabilities simply because they receive basic help like food or housing from family, friends, or caregivers.\n\n\u201cIn Kansas, we take care of our neighbors \u2014 whether that\u2019s a parent helping their child get through a tough month or a family making sure a loved one has a place to stay,\u201d said Davids. \u201cBut right now, federal rules can actually punish seniors and people with disabilities for receiving that kind of support. That\u2019s wrong. My new bill, which I\u2019m leading with my colleague Rep. Scanlon, fixes it so people don\u2019t lose out on their Social Security just because of the way Kansans naturally look out for each other.\u201d\n\n\u201cSocial Security provides a critical social safety net for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children,\u201d said Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05). \u201cSSI\u2019s rules disfavoring in-kind support and maintenance punish people receiving basic assistance from friends and family. At a time when the cost of living has skyrocketed, it is critical that we address these harmful rules, which discourage people from staying connected to their communities. I\u2019m grateful for Rep. Davids\u2019 partnership in making SSI more accessible for those who need it.\u201d\n\nSSI is a federal program that provides monthly financial support to seniors and people with disabilities who have very low income. Under current rules, their benefits can be reduced if they receive basic help like food or housing from family or others, or if certain income from household members is counted toward them. These rules can also make the program more complicated to administer and harder for beneficiaries to understand.\n\nDavids\u2019 bill would eliminate these reductions so that seniors and people with disabilities do not lose SSI benefits simply because they receive basic support to meet everyday needs. The legislation is aimed at simplifying the program, reducing administrative complexity, and ensuring more consistent and fair access to the full benefits people rely on.\n\n\"The SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026 takes a long-overdue step to fix one of SSI\u2019s most outdated and harmful policies,\u201d said Heather Sachs, Policy & Advocacy Co-Director, National Down Syndrome Congress. \u201cThe current ISM rules punish people with disabilities for receiving basic help like food or housing \u2014 support that keeps people stable and connected to their communities. Eliminating ISM is a commonsense reform that promotes fairness, reduces bureaucracy, and ensures SSI works the way it should.\u201d\n\n\u201cANCOR applauds Representatives Davids and Scanlon for their common-sense approach to tearing down barriers that for far too long have kept people with disabilities and older adults from accessing the support they need to remain in their homes and communities,\u201d said Barbara Merrill, Chief Executive Officer, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). \u201cBy removing SSI\u2019s in-kind support and maintenance rules, the SSI Savings & Efficiency Act would take us closer to an SSI program that is fairer, simpler, and more responsive to the daily realities facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ANCOR is proud to support this legislation and grateful for the leadership of Representatives Davids and Scanlon.\u201d\n\nSocial Security plays a crucial role in the lives of millions, from birth to retirement. In Kansas\u2019 Third District, there are 130,424 Social Security recipients, including 105,041 retirees, 6,120 children, and 9,975 disabled workers. Yet, both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have made damaging comments about Social Security. Musk called the program a \"Ponzi scheme,\" and Trump referred to it as a \"scam.\"\n\nDavids has been an advocate for Social Security beneficiaries throughout her time in Congress. She helped pass the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, a law repealing outdated rules that reduce benefits for millions of public sector retirees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers. These benefits have already begun hitting Kansans\u2019 bank accounts. Davids also voted against an extreme, partisan funding bill that would allow Trump and Musk to fire Social Security workers, causing office closures, longer wait times, and delays in benefits.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Autism Speaks, the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), the National Organization of Social Security Claimants\u2019 Representatives, Access Ready Inc., and Justice in Aging.", 1, "2026-05-09T06:00:32Z", "2026-05-09T06:02:31Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-scanlon-introduce-bill-stop-social-security-cuts-seniors-people"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.204363001510501, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}