In a shocking display of disregard for working Americans, 20 GOP senators voted against a bill that would have increased Social Security benefits for over 2 million people across the country. These senators chose to stand with their wealthy donors and special interests, rather than supporting hard-working teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public service workers who’ve had their benefits slashed for decades.
The bill, called the Social Security Fairness Act, was passed by the Senate on Friday with overwhelming support. The legislation aims to fix a decades-old mistake that’s been shortchanging essential workers. Specifically, it would repeal two harmful laws that cut benefits for people who work in public service, like teachers, police, and first responders.
The bill was approved by a 76-20 vote, with President Biden expected to sign it into law soon. Even President-elect Trump supported the bill, and it had strong bipartisan backing in the House back in November. But despite overwhelming public support, a group of 20 Republican senators decided to play politics with Social Security—showing once again where their priorities lie.
Here Are the 20 GOP Senators Who Voted Against Helping American Workers:
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.)
Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.)
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.)
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah)
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.)
Why Did They Vote “No”?
Despite the clear benefits to millions of Americans, these 20 GOP senators argued the bill was too expensive. Some, like Sen. Rand Paul, even went so far as to claim that the Social Security Fairness Act would lead to Social Security going broke faster. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill could add $196 billion to the federal deficit over the next decade. However, the same analysis shows that fixing a system that’s been unfairly penalizing hard-working Americans should outweigh the minor financial cost in the long run.
Outrageous Claims and Ridiculous Arguments
Some senators, like Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), had the audacity to call the bill “grotesquely irresponsible.” Johnson’s argument? The bill helps people who weren’t even harmed by the laws in the first place. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) took it a step further, saying repealing the 1983 Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) would return the country to a “broken model” that would unfairly benefit certain people.
But let’s be clear: these senators are protecting the status quo, where public servants are being short-changed while billionaires get tax breaks. The truth is, these senators aren’t worried about Social Security—they’re worried about the political fallout from upsetting their wealthy donors.
While these 20 GOP senators voted against increasing Social Security benefits for teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other essential workers, the bill passed anyway. And despite their opposition, President Biden and even President-elect Trump supported it, proving once again that helping working Americans is the right thing to do.
