Overview
Title
To extend the supplemental security income program to Guam, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 878 is like a plan to make sure that people in Guam can get extra help if they don’t have enough money, just like people in other places. It wants to change some rules to make sure Guam is treated the same when giving out this help.
Summary AI
H. R. 878 aims to extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to include Guam, removing previous exclusions. It amends sections of the Social Security Act so that Guam receives the same SSI benefits as other states and territories. The bill also provides the Commissioner of Social Security with the authority to adjust the program’s requirements to better suit Guam's needs. This extension will take effect at the start of the federal fiscal year, beginning at least one year after the bill becomes law.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
The proposed bill, H.R. 878, aims to expand the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to include Guam. This program, which provides financial assistance to individuals with limited income and resources who are aged, blind, or disabled, currently does not extend to Guam. The legislation, titled the "Katrina and Leslie Schaller Act," intends to amend sections of the Social Security Act to treat Guam similarly to a state for SSI purposes. This includes removing payment limits specific to Guam and allowing the Social Security Administration to adjust program requirements to fit Guam's unique needs.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the primary concerns of this bill is the waiver authority given to the Commissioner of Social Security. This authority would permit the Commissioner to make changes to the SSI requirements without stringent guidelines or oversight, raising potential legal and ethical questions. The complexity of the legal language used in the amendments might also limit public understanding and transparency regarding what the bill proposes. Additionally, there is a notable absence of any explicit discussion or estimation of the financial impact of extending the SSI program to Guam, which could cause concern about potential budgetary implications.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, extending SSI benefits to Guam could provide crucial financial support to eligible residents, particularly those in financially vulnerable positions. This expansion could promote economic stability and alleviate poverty for many individuals on the island. However, the lack of clarity on the cost associated with this expansion might create uncertainty regarding how it will be funded and whether it could strain the existing budget for SSI or other social programs.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For residents of Guam, particularly those who meet the criteria for SSI benefits, this bill could offer significant economic relief, improving their quality of life. However, stakeholders involved in the administration of SSI, including the Social Security Administration, may face challenges. The broad waiver authority provided could result in inconsistencies in how SSI is administered in Guam compared with the rest of the United States, potentially leading to confusion or uneven application of the program's provisions.
Legislators and policymakers must balance the bill's potential benefits against concerns about financial impact and regulatory oversight. If passed, careful monitoring and transparent administration will be essential to ensure that the program's expansion serves the intended purpose of supporting needy individuals in Guam without unintended negative consequences.
Issues
The waiver authority granted to the Commissioner of Social Security in Section 2(c) is potentially problematic as it allows for broad powers to modify statutory requirements for benefits in Guam. This could lead to modifications without clear oversight or guidelines, which may raise legal and ethical concerns.
There is no explicit provision in Section 2 estimating the financial impact or cost associated with extending the Supplemental Security Income program to Guam. This lack of clarity on the financial implications can cause concern among legislators and the public regarding potential budgetary impacts.
The language used in Section 2 involves complex legal terms and amendments that may be difficult for the general public to understand without legal expertise. This may reduce transparency and accessibility of the bill's intent and implementation details.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this act states that it can be referred to as the “Katrina and Leslie Schaller Act.”
2. Extension of the supplemental security income program to Guam Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section extends the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to Guam by amending the Social Security Act to include Guam as a state for certain program purposes and eliminate payment limits to Guam. Additionally, it allows the Commissioner of Social Security to modify SSI requirements to better fit Guam's needs, effective in the fiscal year beginning one year after this Act is enacted.