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Montana lawmakers hear broad support for resolution urging Congress to protect Social Security
Summary
A House Joint Resolution backing federal action to secure Social Security drew dozens of proponents who detailed the program’s role for more than 250,000 Montanans and urged the committee to recommend passage; no committee vote was recorded at the hearing.
Representative Connie Keogh, the sponsor, opened the hearing on House Joint Resolution 21, asking the committee to send a message to Congress to "secure and strengthen Social Security and the Social Security Trust Fund." Keogh described HJ 21 as a joint resolution "requesting the federal Congress and federal executive branch to secure and strengthen Social Security and the Social Security Trust Fund."
Why it matters: Proponents told the committee that Social Security is a primary source of income and poverty prevention for tens of thousands of Montanans and contributes billions to the state economy. Supporters pressed the committee to recommend a "do pass" so Montana’s position is communicated to Washington, D.C.
Most testimony came from senior advocates and nonprofit representatives who provided state-level numbers and personal accounts. John Ellingson, vice chair of Big Sky 55 Plus, recounted Montana’s early local history with social-insurance ideas and urged the state endorsement. Representative Keogh, citing national and state data, said Social Security provides benefits to “over 250,000 Montanans” and cited a $4.5 billion annual benefit figure, which she said equals roughly 6.6% of Montana’s total personal income. Testimony noted that Social Security lifted nearly 66,000 Montanans age 65 and older out of poverty in 2022 and that the trust funds include an accumulated surplus cited in witnesses’ materials.
Several witnesses emphasized misconceptions they said are common about the program. Margie McDonald summarized the chief actuary’s recent report and said growth in 2023–24 temporarily extended the projected solvency date. Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, told the panel that federal bills such as the Social Security 2100 Act and the Social Security Expansion Act would increase benefits and would be funded, in his view, by having higher-earners pay on more of their wages.
Not a committee decision: The hearing record shows supporters urged the committee to pass HJ21 and send a message to Congress; the transcript does not show a committee vote on the resolution at this hearing.
Looking ahead: Representative Keogh closed by urging passage of HJ21 so Montana’s legislature can add its voice to federal deliberations and by reminding members that handouts provided by witnesses include links to the Social Security Administration and chief actuary resources.
