Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)
Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 386–0
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 seeks to amend title II of the Social Security Act. This amendment would allow for the reissuance of social security account numbers to children under the age of 14. This applies specifically when the confidentiality of the number has been compromised due to the loss or theft of a social security card during transmission. To receive a new number, a parent or guardian must submit evidence to the Commissioner of Social Security under penalty of perjury. The changes are set to take effect 180 days after the Act is enacted.
Yes
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill targets the protection of identity for children under the age of 14.
- Scored +6
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill provides a remedy to protect the privacy of a child's Social Security number if it is lost or stolen during transmission.
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen Social Security?
The bill enhances the security of Social Security records for children by providing a mechanism to reissue compromised account numbers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 386 yes · 0 no
12/01/2025 · Roll call 306 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection against compromised information: The bill provides a way to get a new social security account number if a child's number is no longer secure due to a lost or stolen card (Section 2, subsection a, clause iii).
-
Accountability for lost or stolen cards: The Commissioner of Social Security would be required to make a note in the child's records regarding the loss or theft of the card once evidence is provided (Section 2, subsection a, clause iii).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Burden of proof on parents or guardians: To receive a new number, a parent or guardian must demonstrate the compromise through evidence submitted under penalty of perjury (Section 2, subsection a, clause iii).
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 children be better off under this? — The bill targets the protection of identity for children under the age of 14.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill provides a remedy to protect the privacy of a child's Social Security number if it is lost or stolen during transmission.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill enhances the security of Social Security records for children by providing a mechanism to reissue compromised account numbers.
- 12/2/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 12/1/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 306). (text: CR H4939-4940)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 306). (text: CR H4939-4940)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4954)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5348.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4939-4940)
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 10/3/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-329.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 282.
- 9/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/17/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 1.
- 9/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Introduced in House
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York