Social Security measure passes Senate, sending it to Biden

The Senate broadly approved a measure expanding Social Security payments to millions of certain public sector workers, sending the measure to President Joe Biden for his signature.

The vote on the Social Security Fairness Act was 76-20. It previously passed the House in an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 327-75 in November after rank-and-file lawmakers used a procedural measure, known as a discharge petition, to force a floor vote without House GOP leaders’ blessing.

“We will vote on taking up the Social Security Fairness Act to repeal flawed policies that eat away at the benefits of those who’ve worked as teachers, firefighters, postal workers, or public sector workers,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said ahead of the vote.

If signed into law, the measure will expand Social Security benefits to public sector workers who also collect pensions.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the measure will cost more than $190 billion over the next decade and means the Social Security trust fund will “be exhausted roughly half a year earlier than it would be under current law.”