Welcome to 2025! Happy New Year! As a guest at the Community Christmas Day dinner, I want to express my huge thanks to all the volunteers who made that happen! As the over 150 guests who attended can attest, the Hall was decorated in the true spirit of the holidays.  The table decorations were awesome!  A big well done to the kitchen crew! It made for a really special Christmas and start of Chanukah for everyone!

As I write this Dec. 28, several bills of interest to many of us have made it through Congress and are waiting for the President’s signature.  

Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act (HR 7365) makes certain veterans eligible for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck Program at no cost if they meet the program's background check and security requirements.  Eligibility requirements for this fee waiver are those who are enrolled in the VA and require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device to aid with mobility due to (1) loss, or loss of use, of a limb; (2) full or partial paralyzation; or (3) permanent blindness.  The VA and the TSA must develop and implement a process to provide disabled veterans with effective outreach about TSA programs that are designed to improve the screening process for passengers with disabilities. 

Think Differently Database Act (HR 670) requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an online clearinghouse of resources and other information for individuals with an intellectual disability (and their caregivers and families) that is searchable by zip code. In particular, the clearinghouse must include information about (1) community-based services and long-term support services available through Medicaid; and (2) how to obtain health care, mental health care, and other relevant services. HHS must also promote awareness of the resources in the clearinghouse.  

Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (HR82) repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government. The bill eliminates the government pension offset, which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision, which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.   

Just think, for the bills to get this far, both the House and the Senate must have passed the same bill by majority vote. Who said they couldn’t get things done! Miracles do happen!  The president can veto these bills of course, but that isn’t likely.  He doesn’t have to sign them to become law either, as they become law after 10 days if Congress is still in session.  Now the law-making process starts all over again with the new 119th congress starting Jan. 3. 

I wish everyone a very Happy and Safe New Year!