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Republican duo blocks bill to expand some Social Security benefits

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WASHINGTON — Two members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus blocked a bipartisan bill on election night that would have repealed previous measures restricting Social Security benefits for certain retired officials.

The bill, introduced by Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Garret Graves, R-La., would have eliminated Social Security provisions that reduce benefits for retirees who received a state pension and work in a job not covered by the Social Security is covered by a government program and reduces the benefits received by surviving spouses who receive a state pension.

The bill would affect about 2.8 million Americans.

It had 330 co-sponsors, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. – more than the 218 a petition would require to force the legislation through.

But Reps. Bob Good, R-Va., and Andy Harris, R-Md., introduced the bill during a pro forma session (a brief session of the House that typically does not conduct business) on Tuesday, according to Roll Call effectively presented.

Graves dismissed the move as a ploy, the outlet reported.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would cost about $196 million over 10 years, even though the House Freedom Caucus had called for spending cuts.

Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, a grassroots organization, urged Johnson to put the bill on the table for a vote.

“This issue affects millions of Americans, and the bill to restore their benefits deserves an up or down vote on the issue,” he said in a statement.

USA TODAY has reached out to Good and Harris' offices for comment.

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