Wyden, Merkley Join Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Update, Expand Lifeline Benefits for Seniors, Americans with Disabilities ... The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act would make much-needed updates to the benefits program ... would expand benefits eligibility, increase cash payments, and fix rules that penalize Americans trying to save money for even emergency expenses. ... The bipartisan Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act takes on this crisis by boosting benefits, updating outdated asset limits, and ending penalties that punish people for getting help from loved ones. ... The SSI Restoration Act would expand and strengthen benefits by: Increasing “income disregard” amounts, which have not changed since 1974, updating the asset limit to $10,000 / $20,000 for an eligible couple and indexing it to inflation, increasing the benefit rate to 100% of the federal poverty level and repealing the marriage penalty, repealing penalties for in-kind support, resource transfers, state taxes and tribal benefits, streamlining lump-sum and back payments, and extending the program to the U.S. territories.
Support and work to pass legislation to update and expand Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for seniors and Americans with disabilities, including increasing income disregard amounts, updating asset limits to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for couples indexed to inflation, increasing the benefit rate to 100% of the federal poverty level, repealing the marriage penalty, repealing penalties for in-kind support, resource transfers, state taxes, and tribal benefits, streamlining lump-sum and back payments, and extending the program to the U.S. territories.
Occurrences
Evidence
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined their colleagues in introducing a bipartisan bill that would strengthen critical Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits that support nearly 8 million seniors and people with disabilities, including over 80,000 Oregonians. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act would make much-needed updates to the benefits program—much of which hasn’t been updated since it was first established over five decades ago. The bill also would expand benefits eligibility, increase cash payments, and fix rules that penalize Americans trying to save money for even emergency expenses.
S. 4001 was introduced in the Senate and read twice, then referred to the Committee on Finance. Jeff Merkley is listed among the cosponsors. The bill title is the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026.
The bill's listed action remains introduction and referral to the Committee on Finance; no later Senate or House passage, conference, or public law action is shown in the official bill record.
Assessments
Jeff Merkley cosponsored and helped introduce the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S.4001) in March 2026, which would implement many of the promised changes. However, the official record shows only introduction and referral to the Senate Finance Committee with no subsequent passage or enactment. The promise specifically commits to passing legislation to update and expand SSI; because the bill did not become law, the promise was not delivered. Merkley made a serious legislative effort (sponsorship/introduction), so an effort badge is warranted.
Jeff Merkley fulfilled the promise to support and work to pass legislation to update and expand Supplemental Security Income (SSI) by co-introducing the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act. However, there is no evidence that the bill or similar comprehensive reforms actually passed into law. Therefore, despite a serious legislative attempt and leadership on the issue, the promise was not fulfilled in terms of real policy outcome.
Jeff Merkley introduced and co-sponsored the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act, which directly addressed the campaign promise's goals by seeking to update and expand SSI benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. The bill proposed increasing benefits, updating asset limits, repealing penalties, and extending the program to U.S. territories. However, there is no evidence that the legislation passed into law or was enacted. Thus, the core policy outcome was not delivered, though significant legislative effort was made.