Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act
Ends specified federal debt-collection offsets against Social Security, railroad retirement, and Black Lung benefits.
In the Senate Finance Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 12 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Federal agencies can collect certain debts by reducing some federal payments. The bill would remove specified authority for administrative offsets and extend Social Security’s protection to railroad programs. Its stated aim is also to protect Black Lung benefits from these offsets.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Protect named benefits from offsets
The bill would remove specified federal authority to collect debts through administrative offsets. Its stated aim is to protect Social Security, Railroad retirement, and Black Lung benefits from those offsets.
- Repeal specified offset provisions
It would make specified parts of federal law on administrative offsets ineffective and repeal related offset authority in the U.S. Code.
- Extend protections to railroad programs
The bill would apply the Social Security Act’s new protection to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.
Administrative offsets can reduce benefit payments when the federal government collects a debt. The bill seeks to restore protections against that kind of collection for people who rely on Social Security, railroad, or Black Lung benefits.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026SENATESEP 24, 2026By Sen. Wyden with 6 original cosponsorsReferred to Finance
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 24, 2026FINANCE NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 12 daysNo hearing yet
- 12 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 12, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 6 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Wyden’s record: sponsored 98 bills this Congress. 4 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Kirsten E. GillibrandD-NYORIGINAL
- Patty MurrayD-WAORIGINAL
- Bernie SandersI-VTORIGINAL
- Chris Van HollenD-MDORIGINAL
- Elizabeth WarrenD-MAORIGINAL
- Sheldon WhitehouseD-RIORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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