[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9210-S9211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRASSLEY:
  S. 1165. A bill to apply rules regarding the conduct of meetings and 
recordkeeping under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to the Social 
Security Advisory Board and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Finance.


            THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD SUNSHINE ACT

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce the Social 
Security Advisory Board Sunshine Act. This legislation will apply the 
public meeting and disclosure requirements of

[[Page S9211]]

the Federal Advisory Committee Act to the Social Security advisory 
board.
  The Social Security Advisory Board was created in 1994 when the 
Social Security Administration became an independent agency. Its 
purpose is to serve as an advisor to the Commissioner of the Social 
Security Administration, the President and the Congress. The 1994 law 
requires the Board to make recommendations on some of the most critical 
issues facing the Social Security Administration and the country, 
including: How to ensure economic security for Government retirement 
and disability programs; how to ensure the solvency of Social Security 
programs; how to improve the quality of service and the policies and 
regulations that influence that service; and how to increase the 
public's understanding of Social Security.
  With such a significant mandate, the question we should be asking is 
not why have open meetings, but why not have open meetings? This Board 
has been entrusted with the responsibility of making policy 
recommendations regarding the largest domestic Government program in 
this country. Virtually every American is affected by Social Security. 
Every American has a stake in Social Security. They have the right to 
know what recommendations are being made and why. The Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, which became public law in 1972 is intended to promote 
good Government values, such as openness, accountability, and balance 
of viewpoints. At the heart of the matter is a desire to keep the 
channels open between Government and the interested public.
  Yesterday, during the confirmation hearing for Ken Apfel for the 
position of Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, I asked 
him if bringing the Advisory Board under the Sunshine laws was a good 
idea. He said, ``I think sunshine is almost always a good idea.''
  My legislation would require the Advisory Board to provide notice of 
all meetings, make available for public inspection all Advisory Board 
documents, provide opportunities for nonmembers to participate in Board 
meetings, keep minutes of those meetings, and make transcripts of 
Advisory Board meetings available. In addition, the Social Security 
Administration will be required to disclose the disbursement of money 
to, and the disposal of money by, the advisory Board.
  My legislation would also provide for compensation of the board 
members. Board members are paid per diem travel expenses, but they 
receive no compensation for the time they take off work to attend the 
meetings, which are held once a month. Because they have been given 
charge of such an important task, and because of the homework that must 
be done in order for them to be prepared and participate in meetings, 
compensation commensurate with that of similar boards and committees is 
only fair.
  I want to commend the Board on the work it has done so far, 
particularly to highlight the need to expand the Social Security 
Administration's policy analysis capabilities. Those capabilities will 
be very important as we jump start discussions about Social Security 
reform.
  The Advisory Board will be undergoing some changes in membership in 
the near future. I intend to work at getting this legislation enacted 
as soon as possible so the change in membership will occur with a 
change in the philosophy that Government is best done in the open and 
not behind closed doors.
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