While all eyes were on the election, two members of the House Freedom Caucus went out of their way during Tuesday’s pro forma session to try to overturn a widely supported Social Security bill — and ambushed their leadership once again.
In a parliamentary maneuver, Republican Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) requested unanimous consent to put the Social Security Fairness Act on the table. Representative Andy Harris (R-Md.), who was presiding over the session, did not object. The House Republican leadership had no idea that HFC members would do this. It violates formal hearings protocol.
Their bill has 330 co-sponsors and received enough signatures on the discharge petition to force a vote. HFC members were buzzing about this successful effort. The legislation would eliminate limits on Social Security benefits that public employees or their spouses can qualify for if they also have state pensions.
The GOP leadership is considering what to do next.
