Congress can have a major impact on Social Security programs, but so too can the president of the United States. Although the president does not pass legislation, whoever holds the office has a large influence over significant changes that occur at Social Security. Most presidential candidates are asked what they would do with Social Security. Prior to being elected president, Donald Trump was asked this question. Trump responded that he would protect Social Security and Medicare and not make any changes. We shall see what the next two years have in store for Social Security, but there are likely to be some things that happen to Social Security while Trump is president. Take a look back at what happened under former President Barack Obama.
Social Security In The Obama Administration
On February 17, 2009, the President signed H.R. 1, the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009″ (Public Law 111-5). This law appropriated an additional $1 billion to the Social Security Administration’s administrative budget, $500 million of which is to be used to replace the National Computer Center, and the information technology costs associated with such Center; and $500 million for processing disability and retirement workloads, including information technology acquisitions and research in support of such activities. The bill also provided special a one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to adults who were eligible for benefits from one of the four following Federal benefit programs: Social Security, Railroad Retirement, Veterans Disability, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
On September 18, 2009, the President signed into law H.R. 3325, the “” which became Public Law 111-64.
This legislation extends, through fiscal year 2010, funding authorization for the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program and the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security program.
On December 15, 2009, President Obama signed H.R. 4218, the “No Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Act of 2009”, which became Public Law 111-115.
The bill prohibits the payment of any retroactive Title II and Title XVI benefits to individuals while they are in prison, are in violation of conditions of their parole or probation, or are fleeing to avoid prosecution for a felony or a crime punishable by sentence of more than one year.
