Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ)
Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act
A Democratic bill with 17 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 24, 2026. The main goal of the bill is to restore protections for certain benefits so they cannot be taken away through an administrative offset. Specifically, it targets Social Security, Railroad retirement, and Black Lung benefits. The bill makes certain existing rules regarding administrative offsets null and void. These changes apply to collections happening on or after the date the act is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill protects Social Security and related benefits from administrative offsets, directly benefiting older Americans who rely on these funds.
- Scored +8
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees heavily depend on Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, which are explicitly protected from administrative offsets under this legislation.
- Scored +8
Does this strengthen Social Security?
The bill explicitly restores protections for Social Security benefits by prohibiting certain administrative offsets.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Social Security Benefits: Section 2(a)(1) adds a new subsection to the Social Security Act that makes specific administrative offset rules null and void. This could benefit everyday people by keeping their Social Security benefits protected from being reduced or taken to pay off certain claims.
-
Protection of Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Benefits: Section 2(a)(2) applies these same new protections to the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. This ensures that railroad workers and their families keep these same safeguards for their retirement and unemployment benefits.
-
Repeal of Offset Authority: Section 2(b) repeals specific paragraphs and subparagraphs of title 31 of the United States Code related to administrative offset authority and removes the Commissioner of Social Security from those provisions. This removes the legal pathway for these specific administrative offsets, keeping money directly in the hands of the beneficiaries.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the text provided in the bill, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees heavily depend on Social Security and railroad retirement benefits, which are explicitly protected from administrative offsets under this legislation. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill protects Social Security and related benefits from administrative offsets, directly benefiting older Americans who rely on these funds. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Preventing administrative offsets on critical benefits helps lower-income households maintain their financial stability. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income households receiving Social Security or related benefits are protected from having those payments reduced by administrative offsets. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Certain beneficiaries, including those receiving specific retirement and disability-related payments, are safeguarded from administrative clawbacks.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill explicitly restores protections for Social Security benefits by prohibiting certain administrative offsets. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By preventing administrative offsets on Social Security, railroad retirement, and Black Lung benefits, the bill helps protect vulnerable beneficiaries from sudden income loss.
- 11/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 15 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Steven HorsfordDemocrat · Nevada
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Marcy KapturDemocrat · Ohio
John LarsonDemocrat · Connecticut
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida