Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) recently introduced legislation that would bar people who have an outstanding arrest warrant for serious crimes from receiving government benefits.
The proposed bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) and Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) and was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Griffin said recent court cases have resulted in the expansion of the eligibility of fugitive felony suspects to receive government benefits.
“It’s outrageous that fugitive felons can avoid prosecution but still collect their Social Security disability or retirement checks,” Griffin said. “The Social Security Administration’s Inspector General, Patrick O’Carroll, brought the issue to my attention, and I worked with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to draft legislation that will end this injustice by revoking the eligibility of people who are ‘the subject of an arrest warrant’ for serious crimes.”
Language in the bill revises existing law to discontinue benefits for individuals who are “the subject of an arrest warrant” instead of the previous language of “fleeing to avoid arrest.”
The existing process would remain a joint effort between SSA and the Social Security Inspector General. The SSA would continue to send notification letters to beneficiaries before any benefits are discontinued. The proposed bill does allow good cause exceptions as administrators find necessary.
Johnson said he looks forward to passing the bill in order to protect American taxpayers.