David Camp, NOSSCR Senior Policy Advisor

In an early, memorable episode of The West Wing, a campaign staffer reminds the presidential candidate of a saying in Washington: “Social Security is the third rail of American politics. Touch it and you die.”

For decades, that conventional wisdom has made lawmakers hesitant to approach our national insurance system, which is both good and bad. Passing any Social Security legislation is famously difficult, slow, and politically sensitive. The administrative machinery of the Social Security Administration operates under immense strain, and changing the statutory landscape requires an alignment of political stars.

Yet, as we navigate through 2026 and look toward the upcoming congressional elections, we are observing notable legislative movement that warrants our close monitoring. While these are not the only bills advancing in Congress, they are uniquely interesting due to the upcoming election and a probable change in control of at least the House of Representatives.

If the Democratic caucus wins the chamber, the bills that have advanced in this Congress with deep Democratic support are highly likely to become viable vehicles for serious committee attention and floor votes in the next Congress (2027–2028). Think of this month’s spotlight as a preview of what might become our priority watch list after the election when the next Congress convenes in 2027.

House Bills with Active Movement
Several pieces of legislation addressing structural deficiencies in the safety net have seen fresh cosponsorship, particularly from Democrats in the House:

H.R. 2540: SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

• Impact: This piece of legislation directly targets the draconian asset limits that penalize Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients for saving money. Under current rules, individuals are effectively barred from building even a modest emergency fund to weather unexpected expenses, trapping them in deep poverty.
• Details: This bill was introduced by Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and boasts a highly collaborative coalition of 35 cosponsors. The proposal would raise the resource limits to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for married couples, while indexing those limits to inflation moving forward. It has maintained steady legislative momentum, with its latest cosponsor additions signing on as recently as June 24, 2026.

H.R. 7828: Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026

• Impact: This bill represents a wholesale structural modernization of an SSI program that has remained largely frozen since the Nixon administration. It increases monthly benefits to 100% of the federal poverty level, repeals the marriage penalty, and eliminates the highly complex rules surrounding In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM)—the policy where a claimant’s benefits are slashed simply because a relative gives them a hot meal or a place to sleep. Furthermore, it extends full SSI benefits to residents of Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
• Details: This bill was introduced by Representative Adelita S. Grijalva (D-AZ) on March 5, 2026, and has quickly gathered 29 cosponsors. By cutting out manual calculations like ISM, it would significantly reduce the administrative hours that an understaffed SSA currently wastes tracking down family care arrangements.

H.R. 930: Stop the Wait Act of 2025

• Impact: This bill seeks to phase down and ultimately eliminate the archaic five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits. It also wipes out the grueling 24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility for disabled individuals who lack minimum essential health coverage.
• Details: This bill was introduced by Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and has built a coalition of 85 cosponsors, with its latest support arriving as recently as July 2, 2026 (Representative McIver of New Jersey). The bill provides a strict statutory phase-down of the waiting period through 2029 before full elimination takes effect on January 1, 2030.

H.R. 7253: Ticket to Work Advertisement Act

• Impact: This bill seeks to amend the Social Security Act to mandate that the Commissioner of Social Security disseminate clear information regarding participation in the Ticket to Work employment program to all disabled beneficiaries every six months.
• Details: This bill was introduced by Representative J. French Hill (R-AR) on January 27, 2026. It has accumulated 11 cosponsors, with its latest support added on May 12, 2026.

Looking Ahead
While legislative roadblocks are an inevitable part of touching the “third rail,” NOSSCR’s role is to look past the immediate barriers and prepare our members for the solutions on the horizon. If power shifts in the House, these moving bills will form the core of the new legislative agenda.

If the odds of a change in control of the Senate continue to develop, we will update you on bills currently pending in that chamber in the coming months. If you have comments on any of these or other bills, please contact us at nosscr@nosscr.org.

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