Legis Daily

Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act

USA119th CongressHR-1876| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2025
John B. Larson

John B. Larson

Democratic Representative

Connecticut

Cosponsors (129)
John W. Mannion (Democratic)Dwight Evans (Democratic)Stacey E. Plaskett (Democratic)April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Kelly Morrison (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Gabe Amo (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Julie Johnson (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Emanuel Cleaver (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Joe Courtney (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Jake Auchincloss (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Greg Stanton (Democratic)George Latimer (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Derek Tran (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Hillary J. Scholten (Democratic)Sara Jacobs (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Wesley Bell (Democratic)Richard E. Neal (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Timothy M. Kennedy (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Josh Riley (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Lois Frankel (Democratic)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Rick Larsen (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Nancy Pelosi (Democratic)Lizzie Fletcher (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Bradley Scott Schneider (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation establishes an immediate moratorium on the closure, consolidation, or any new limitation of public access to Social Security Administration field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations. This prohibition includes all actions taken by the Commissioner of Social Security, with the sole exception of temporary closures due to emergencies. The moratorium will remain in effect until 180 days after the Commissioner submits a comprehensive report to specific congressional committees. The required report, which cannot be submitted earlier than January 21, 2029, must outline and justify the process for selecting offices for closure or consolidation. It must include an analysis of the criteria used, a description of how relevant factors like transportation and communication burdens for elderly and disabled individuals were considered, and a detailed cost-benefit analysis . This analysis must account for anticipated savings, replacement costs for lost services, effects on employees, and how lost access will be replaced. After the moratorium concludes, the bill amends the Social Security Act to implement permanent, rigorous requirements for any future office closures, consolidations, or access limitations. These requirements mandate that the Commissioner provide effective public notice at least 120 days in advance, including information on how lost access will be replaced. Additionally, at least two public hearings must be conducted between 30 and 45 days before the proposed action, allowing for public input and requiring the Commissioner to present detailed justifications. Furthermore, the Commissioner must submit a detailed final report to Congress and affected Members at least 30 days prior to any action, summarizing justifications, hearing findings, and the final decision. The bill also establishes a process for individuals to appeal proposed closures if they can demonstrate the decision is arbitrary or unlawful. Crucially, any future actions cannot result in the total number of Social Security field and hearing offices falling below the number that existed on January 20, 2025 , ensuring a baseline level of service access.
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Timeline
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • March 5, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 5, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Social Welfare

Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act

USA119th CongressHR-1876| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2025
This legislation establishes an immediate moratorium on the closure, consolidation, or any new limitation of public access to Social Security Administration field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations. This prohibition includes all actions taken by the Commissioner of Social Security, with the sole exception of temporary closures due to emergencies. The moratorium will remain in effect until 180 days after the Commissioner submits a comprehensive report to specific congressional committees. The required report, which cannot be submitted earlier than January 21, 2029, must outline and justify the process for selecting offices for closure or consolidation. It must include an analysis of the criteria used, a description of how relevant factors like transportation and communication burdens for elderly and disabled individuals were considered, and a detailed cost-benefit analysis . This analysis must account for anticipated savings, replacement costs for lost services, effects on employees, and how lost access will be replaced. After the moratorium concludes, the bill amends the Social Security Act to implement permanent, rigorous requirements for any future office closures, consolidations, or access limitations. These requirements mandate that the Commissioner provide effective public notice at least 120 days in advance, including information on how lost access will be replaced. Additionally, at least two public hearings must be conducted between 30 and 45 days before the proposed action, allowing for public input and requiring the Commissioner to present detailed justifications. Furthermore, the Commissioner must submit a detailed final report to Congress and affected Members at least 30 days prior to any action, summarizing justifications, hearing findings, and the final decision. The bill also establishes a process for individuals to appeal proposed closures if they can demonstrate the decision is arbitrary or unlawful. Crucially, any future actions cannot result in the total number of Social Security field and hearing offices falling below the number that existed on January 20, 2025 , ensuring a baseline level of service access.
View Full Text

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Timeline
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • March 5, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 5, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
John B. Larson

John B. Larson

Democratic Representative

Connecticut

Cosponsors (129)
John W. Mannion (Democratic)Dwight Evans (Democratic)Stacey E. Plaskett (Democratic)April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Kelly Morrison (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Gabe Amo (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Julie Johnson (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Emanuel Cleaver (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Joe Courtney (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Jake Auchincloss (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Greg Stanton (Democratic)George Latimer (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Derek Tran (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Hillary J. Scholten (Democratic)Sara Jacobs (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Wesley Bell (Democratic)Richard E. Neal (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Timothy M. Kennedy (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Josh Riley (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Lois Frankel (Democratic)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Rick Larsen (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Nancy Pelosi (Democratic)Lizzie Fletcher (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Bradley Scott Schneider (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee

Social Welfare

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted