[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 59 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S $32 MILLION IN BONUSES

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to express my strong disapproval and, 
in fact, outrage over the recent bonuses given by the Social Security 
Administration to employees of that office at a time when Social 
Security is pressing Congress for millions of dollars to deal with 
serious problems in its disability programs.
  I have several newspaper articles on the matter, and I ask unanimous 
consent that they be printed in the Record following my statement.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1.)
  Mr. LOTT. I would just note, Mr. President, a couple of the 
headlines. One of them in one of my home State newspapers in Jackson, 
MS, says, ``Ailing Social Security pays $32 million in Bonuses.''
  Another headline, ``Agency Shells Out Cash.'' And it notes in the 
first paragraph, ``The largest single award--$9,258--actually went to 
an executive who had been on the job for less than three months.''
  I have been personally working with high-level Social Security 
Administration directors to resolve backlogs and other serious problems 
they have in their Offices of Hearings and Appeals. Some disability 
cases have been pending for more than 1 year and are at critical 
stages; some of them as long as almost 2 years.
  In my own State of Mississippi, to assist claimants who desperately 
need help--some of whom are losing their homes and cannot pay their 
bills--I have asked Social Security officials to expedite these cases. 
And, I must say, to their credit, they have sent in a team to evaluate 
the situation, and they have acknowledged that some of them are 
actually emergencies. Those cases are being dealt with, and some of 
them are being sent to other offices so that they can be adjudicated. 
But I have received a pledge that these claims will be processed 
quickly.
  The problem is not just one office or just in my State, it is all 
over the country where there is a tremendous backlog.
  Now, as I am trying to help disabled claimants, here come these 
bonuses. Quite frankly, I could not believe it when I heard of the 
awards and the amounts of them. My constituents are furious. I have 
been receiving letters and phone calls. They are outraged that, at a 
time when they cannot get basic courtesies and basic considerations of 
claims that are long overdue, they see that these types of awards are 
being doled out.
  It is my understanding that the Clinton administration, to its 
credit, has urged Federal agencies across the board to reexamine how 
these cash bonuses are awarded.
  I do think there are times when that type of incentive--where you are 
given some recognition for extraordinary work, dedication, or some real 
innovative idea that saves a lot of money or helps a lot of people--
should be awarded.
  But I think this whole area of cash bonuses has gotten out of 
control. And I am not talking just about this administration. It has 
gone on in previous administrations. It is time we get a grip on it.
  Our taxpayers' dollars should be used more wisely, and I will be 
pressing for better accountability in the future.
  I also note that Senator Pryor of Arkansas, who is the chairman of a 
subcommittee in this area, has indicated that he is going to ask 
questions and look into it. So I hope he will certainly do that.
  I have written to the Commissioner of Social Security and requested a 
full explanation of these particular performance awards. As a strong 
advocate for Social Security disability claimants and all 
beneficiaries, I am going to continue to work here in the Senate to 
ensure that Social Security is run more responsibly and efficiently.
  It really bothers me when I see the chairman of the House Ways and 
Means Committee, in the last few days, suggesting that Social Security 
may, in the future, be running short of money. He seems to suggest that 
we need to cut benefits and raise Social Security taxes. But right on 
the heels of that type of announcement, we see $32 million given in 
bonuses to some of the employees of that Administration.
  Things are out of kilter, Mr. President. We need to make sure that 
they get back in order.
  I yield the floor at this time.
  Mr. DORGAN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota is recognized.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as if in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are in morning business. The Senator may 
proceed.

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