I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3211 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 14, 2009 Mr. Kagen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that the percentage increase applied to benefits each year as a cost-of-living increase under such title shall in no case be less than the percentage increase in compensation of Members of Congress specified for such year under section 31 of title 2, United States Code.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Cost of Living Equity Act.

2.

Adjustment to percentage increases in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act to ensure that such increases are in no case less than percentage increases in compensation of Members of Congress

(a)

In general

Section 215(i)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: (iv)Notwithstanding clause (ii), the Commissioner shall, effective with the month of December of each year as provided in subparagraph (B), irrespective of whether the base quarter in that year is a cost of living computation quarter, apply and adjust the increases described in subclauses (I), (II), and (III) of clause (ii) as necessary so as to result in a percentage increase in the amounts described in such subclauses (including each of those amounts as previously increased under this subparagraph) which is not less than the percentage increase in compensation of Members of Congress specified under section 31(2) of title 2, United States Code, for the first applicable pay period after such month to which such increase applies (as determined without regard to any other applicable provision of law affecting such compensation). Any percentage increase determined under this clause shall be treated as a percentage increase determined under clause (ii). . (b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to increases determined under section 215(i)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act.