Des Moines, Iowa — Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) announced a new bill today to protect Iowans’ Social Security, Medicare, military pay and veteran’s disability benefits. The bipartisan Protecting American Benefits Act is being introduced with Representative Don Davis (NC-01) to ensure Iowan’s benefits are not jeopardized by debt ceiling negotiations.
As our country’s debt ceiling deadline looms, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently stated that the deadline could be as early as June 1, 2023. In the event the U.S. does hit the deadline before a deal is reached, this bill would require that Social Security, Medicare, active duty military pay, and veteran’s disability benefits are still paid on time. The bill would also protect these benefits in the future.
“I will continue to do everything in my power to protect Medicare and Social Security, servicemembers, and veterans,” said Rep. Nunn. “With the debt limit nearing, I will not allow these critical benefits and pay to be used as a pawn in a partisan political game. We cannot allow anything to jeopardize these benefits for Iowa’s retirees, military, and veterans.”
In Iowa alone, the bill would protect benefits for:
- 6,500 active duty members of our military receiving $75 Million in pay and benefits
- 664,000 Iowans on Medicare
- 668,000 Iowans on Social Security
- 46,000 Disabled Veterans
- 3,700 Surviving Spouses of Disabled Veterans
“We must depoliticize debt ceiling negotiations by taking social safety net programs, namely Social Security and Medicare, off the table, and I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan Protecting American Benefits Act,” said Congressman Davis. “In North Carolina’s First Congressional District, more than 174,000 residents receive about $2.5 million per month in life-saving Social Security benefits. We must protect our most vulnerable citizens, namely our seniors and disabled veterans, at risk of losing vital benefits.”
The full text of the bill can be read here.