The Orange County Leader reports that Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX) recently met with Social Security's Inspector General in advance of a Congressional hearing next week. The article says that the hearing concerns fraud in the Social Security disability programs. Brady is a member of the Social Security Subcommittee. The Subcommittee website does not yet list the date or time of that hearing.
It might be noted that the Subcommittee Chair is John Tanner of Tennessee, a prominent Blue Dog Democrat. However, even though I regard Social Security's backlogs as the biggest problem, the agency's lack of adequate staffing also leads to overpayments and these overpayments are not a minor matter. I wish that the term "fraud" would not be tossed about lightly. Certainly, there is some fraud at Social Security, but most overpayments are not the result of fraud. Many are the result of mistakes made by the Social Security Administration itself.
It might be noted that the Subcommittee Chair is John Tanner of Tennessee, a prominent Blue Dog Democrat. However, even though I regard Social Security's backlogs as the biggest problem, the agency's lack of adequate staffing also leads to overpayments and these overpayments are not a minor matter. I wish that the term "fraud" would not be tossed about lightly. Certainly, there is some fraud at Social Security, but most overpayments are not the result of fraud. Many are the result of mistakes made by the Social Security Administration itself.
I would like to know how Rep. Tanner got the job, other than by sheer weight of seniority in the subcommittee. It is not encouraging to see a Blue Dog in that spot.
ReplyDeleteI am a Blue Dog Democrat & never knew it until I went to your link. Actually, I used to be a moderate Republican until G.W. Bush and the Limbaugh wing of the GOP wrecked this country.
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