H.R. 963 — Protecting Social Security Act

This section states congressional findings on the Social Security program, including that it is an earned benefit not expanded in over 50 years; nearly 9 out of every 10 individuals age 65 and older receive benefits; more than 9 million veterans and over 6 million children depend on it; benefits are protected by automatic cost-of-living adjustments; and there should be a Social Security field office in every county with a population greater than 150,000.

This section requires the Commissioner of Social Security to ensure a field office operating in every U.S. county with a population greater than 150,000 people. (As background, Social Security Administration field offices provide in-person services for retirement, disability, survivors benefits, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare enrollment.)

This section requires monthly appropriations from general revenues to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, as certified by the Commissioner of Social Security, in amounts necessary to pay Title II benefits if either trust fund's balance is insufficient. (Title II of the Social Security Act provides retirement, survivors, and disability insurance benefits to covered workers and their families. Thus, the provision ensures full, uninterrupted benefit payments regardless of trust fund solvency.)

This section establishes an expedited congressional consideration process for a "Social Security solvency bill" upon certification by the Commissioner of Social Security that the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (established under SSA §201, 42 U.S.C. 401) lacks sufficient funds to pay benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.). A Social Security solvency bill consists solely of provisions that (A) ensure full title II benefits continue, (B) do not raise taxes on individuals other than the ultra-wealthy and corporations or decrease title II benefits, and (C) require the ultra-wealthy and corporations to bear any additional funding needs. In the House of Representatives, such a bill is jointly introduced (by request) by the majority and minority leaders; committees must report it without amendment or be discharged within 5 legislative days; it receives a privileged motion to proceed, is considered as read with all points of order waived, allows 2 hours of debate equally divided, and must receive a vote on passage within 15 days of introduction. In the Senate, upon certification the majority leader may reconvene the Senate if adjourned or recessed more than 2 days; such a bill is jointly introduced (by request) by the majority and minority leaders and jointly referred to committees, which must report it (with any recommendation or none) or be discharged within 5 session days; a motion to proceed is in order after 2 session days (notwithstanding Senate rule XXII), repeatable even if previously rejected, with all points of order waived.