Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act of 2021

Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to allow the District of Columbia to receive funding and other benefits under the Coastal Zone Management Act. I am pleased to offer this companion legislation to a bill introduced by the Congresswoman from the District of Columbia, Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Few of us realize that 70 percent of the District is located within the coastal plain. Similar to my State of Delaware, sea level rise, upstream sources of water, and degraded infrastructure mean that the District could experience serious future cleanup and repair costs due to flooding, including damage to Federal property, which makes up almost 30 percent of the District. Since 1950, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, reports there has been a 343-percent increase in nuisance flooding in

the District. Since 2006, D.C. has experienced two 100-year flooding events. Scientists predict that tides on the Atlantic coast could rise 2 to 4 feet by the year 2100, causing as much as $7 billion worth of property damage in the District, which would regularly be under threat by floodwaters. This fact was highlighted by a study released by the nonprofit Climate Central last week. Needless to say, these events will become more and more common due to climate change and sea level rise.

The District of Columbia would use funding from the Coastal Zone Management Program for flood risk planning and environmental restoration to prevent and mitigate future flood damage. At the same time, this work would help to restore and conserve the District's coastal resources such as habitat, fisheries, and endangered species.

If included in the Coastal Zone Management Program, the District of Columbia would be eligible for $1 million or more of Federal funding annually to assist in coastal flood-control projects, to combat non- point source water pollution, and to develop special area management plans in areas experiencing environmental justice and/or flooding issues.

The National Coastal Zone Management Program, housed in NOAA, was established through the passage of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. At the time, Congress recognized the need to manage the effects of increased growth in the Nation's coastal zone, which includes jurisdictions bordering the oceans and the Great Lakes.

There are currently 34 jurisdictional coastal zone management programs, including both States and territories. In order for the District of Columbia to participate in the program, Congress must pass this amendment to the Coastal Zone Management Act that would include the District under the definition of a ``coastal State.''

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill I am introducing today be printed in the Record following my statement.

Mr. President, older American workers are a vital source of economic strength. Before the pandemic, there were more seniors in the workforce than there were 20 years ago, and men and women age 55 and older lifted the overall labor force participation rate by a substantial margin. During the pandemic, more than 3 million seniors retired early, and millions more are considering early retirement. These losses harm seniors' retirement security by reducing their income and benefits.

That is why today, with my good friend Senator Rubio, I am introducing the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act, which would repeal the Social Security retirement earnings test. The earnings test is a confusing work disincentive. It says that you lose half your Social Security benefits if you earn more than $18,960. Then it gives your benefits back at full retirement age. The problem is that many seniors know their benefits will be cut if they make too much money, but not that they will be replaced later. They treat the earnings test like a 50-percent tax and work less to avoid it.

When I have spoken to small business owners in South Carolina they have made clear to me that the earnings test is in fact a disincentive for many older workers, and it harms their businesses. Older Americans want to earn just enough that they fall right under the threshold so their benefits don't get cut, which makes it harder for small businesses to hire them even on a part-time basis. It is not surprising that research shows the earnings test reduces labor force participation by more than 3 percent.

The earnings test also deepens inequality. It punishes lower-income seniors who need Social Security benefits and earned income to get by. And if you need Social Security benefits and earned income to meet caregiving responsibilities or pressing financial obligations or because you have a lower life expectancy, the earnings test says no, you have to wait until you reach full retirement age, whether that is 65 or 67.

Many seniors just can't wait that long, and the economy can't either. The Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act will give these older Americans the freedom and flexibility they need, promote work, and help employers and workers find arrangements that work best for them.

Thank you.

Mr. President, older American workers are a vital source of economic strength. Before the pandemic, there were more seniors in the workforce than there were 20 years ago, and men and women age 55 and older lifted the overall labor force participation rate by a substantial margin. During the pandemic, more than 3 million seniors retired early, and millions more are considering early retirement. These losses harm seniors' retirement security by reducing their income and benefits.

That is why today, with my good friend Senator Rubio, I am introducing the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act, which would repeal the Social Security retirement earnings test. The earnings test is a confusing work disincentive. It says that you lose half your Social Security benefits if you earn more than $18,960. Then it gives your benefits back at full retirement age. The problem is that many seniors know their benefits will be cut if they make too much money, but not that they will be replaced later. They treat the earnings test like a 50-percent tax and work less to avoid it.

When I have spoken to small business owners in South Carolina they have made clear to me that the earnings test is in fact a disincentive for many older workers, and it harms their businesses. Older Americans want to earn just enough that they fall right under the threshold so their benefits don't get cut, which makes it harder for small businesses to hire them even on a part-time basis. It is not surprising that research shows the earnings test reduces labor force participation by more than 3 percent.

The earnings test also deepens inequality. It punishes lower-income seniors who need Social Security benefits and earned income to get by. And if you need Social Security benefits and earned income to meet caregiving responsibilities or pressing financial obligations or because you have a lower life expectancy, the earnings test says no, you have to wait until you reach full retirement age, whether that is 65 or 67.

Many seniors just can't wait that long, and the economy can't either. The Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act will give these older Americans the freedom and flexibility they need, promote work, and help employers and workers find arrangements that work best for them.

Thank you.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.