The House Appropriations Committee"Chairman's Mark" for Social Security is now available. I am not absolutely certain that this is what the full Committee will report out, but it probably is. The Chairman's mark is only $100 million above the President' recommended budget for Social Security, rather than the $400 million increase contained in the budget resolution. If this is finally adopted, I am not sure that Social Security can keep backlogs and staffing shortages from getting worse. Significant improvement cannot be expected.
Note that other agencies fared much better. The Department of Labor budget, which is similar in size to Social Security's is increased by about $900 million over the President's recommended budget. The Health and Human Services budget goes up by about $5 billion over the President's budget. The Department of Education budget goes up by about $5.5 billion.
You may recall that Michael Astrue, the Social Security Commissioner, has been lobbying only for the President's budget. Even though Astrue is supposedly independent, he has been lobbying for a lower budget that what many in Congress want to give his agency. It looks as if Astrue's lobbying has had the effect he desired.
Note that other agencies fared much better. The Department of Labor budget, which is similar in size to Social Security's is increased by about $900 million over the President's recommended budget. The Health and Human Services budget goes up by about $5 billion over the President's budget. The Department of Education budget goes up by about $5.5 billion.
You may recall that Michael Astrue, the Social Security Commissioner, has been lobbying only for the President's budget. Even though Astrue is supposedly independent, he has been lobbying for a lower budget that what many in Congress want to give his agency. It looks as if Astrue's lobbying has had the effect he desired.
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