[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 185 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S12969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR PRISONERS ACT OF 2009

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 4218, which was received 
from the House and is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 4218) to amend titles II and XVI of the Social 
     Security Act to prohibit retroactive payments to individuals 
     during periods for which such individuals are prisoners, 
     fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I urge the Senate to pass by unanimous 
consent the ``No Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Act of 2009,'' 
which was recently passed by the House of Representatives.
  This bill would prevent retroactive Social Security and Supplemental 
Security Income benefit payments from being issued to individuals while 
they are in prison, or in violation of conditions of parole or 
probation, or are fleeing to avoid prosecution for a felony or a crime 
punishable by sentence of more than one year.
  Under current law, the Social Security Act already prohibits payment 
of current monthly benefits to such individuals. This bill ensures this 
prohibition applies to retroactive benefit payments as well. The bill 
allows any payments that are withheld to be paid once the person is no 
longer in prison, or in violation of conditions of parole or probation, 
or are fleeing to avoid prosecution.
  This bill makes a common sense reform to the Social Security Act and 
I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  I thank my colleagues for their support.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times 
and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no 
intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to the matter 
be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 4218) was ordered to a third reading, was read the 
third time, and passed.

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