Whitehouse ... calling on Congress to pass his Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act at a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the future of Social Security.
Call on Congress to pass the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act to shore up Social Security and Medicare.
Occurrences
Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act Fact Sheet
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and co-founder of the Expand Social Security Caucus, delivered an opening statement earlier this week calling on Congress to pass his Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act at a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the future of Social Security. ... My Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act would fix that by requiring contributions to Social Security on wages above $400,000. ... The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act, introduced by Whitehouse and Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-02), would require taxpayers earning more than $400,000 to contribute a fairer share to Social Security and Medicare. ... My bill would require those making more than $400,000 in investment income to contribute just like those who are working for their income. ... My bill would close [the Medicare tax] loophole. ... These reforms raise enough revenue to make Social Security solvent for the entire 75-year actuarial window, according to the Social Security Actuary. That is as far as the actuarial eye can see. And the Medicare Actuary found it would also extend Medicare solvency for as far as the actuarial eye can see.
Evidence
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act aims to extend the solvency of both programs by requiring high-income earners to contribute more. The bill proposes applying Social Security taxes to wages above $400,000 and increasing Medicare taxes for incomes over $400,000 by 1.2%.
Following a CBO report indicating earlier-than-expected depletion of Medicare and Social Security trust funds, Senator Whitehouse urged Congress to pass his Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act to prevent benefit cuts.
During a Senate Budget Committee hearing, Senator Whitehouse emphasized the need for Congress to pass his Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act to ensure the programs' long-term solvency without cutting benefits.
Senator Whitehouse introduced the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act on the Senate floor, but Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) blocked the bill from advancing.
Senator Whitehouse criticized Republican legislation that could trigger automatic cuts to Medicare and advocated for his bill as a means to protect the program.
Senator Whitehouse introduced a tax fairness plan, including the Paying a Fair Share Act, to ensure high-income earners pay a minimum effective tax rate.
Senator Whitehouse introduced the Paying a Fair Share Act to implement the 'Buffett Rule,' ensuring million-dollar earners pay at least a 30% effective tax rate.
Senators Reed and Whitehouse introduced the Billionaires Income Tax Act to ensure billionaires pay a fair share in annual taxes, targeting tax avoidance techniques.
On May 8, 2025, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Brendan Boyle reintroduced the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act to protect the future solvency of Medicare and Social Security by reversing inequities in the tax system so the nation’s highest earners contribute their fair share.
On May 8, 2025, Senate Bill 1690, titled the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act, was introduced by Senator Whitehouse and referred to the Committee on Finance.
The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act aims to extend Social Security and Medicare solvency by at least 75 years by requiring taxpayers with over $400,000 in income to contribute a fairer share to Social Security and Medicare.
On August 18, 2025, Senator Whitehouse positioned his legislation as a safeguard against potential Medicare cuts, emphasizing the need to protect the program from back-door Republican cuts.
On September 18, 2025, Senator Whitehouse co-introduced the Billionaires Income Tax Act, aiming to address tax avoidance by the ultra-wealthy and ensure they pay their fair share.
On January 12, 2015, Senator Whitehouse released a tax fairness plan aimed at addressing tax inequities by targeting high-income earners.
On February 1, 2012, Senator Whitehouse introduced 'Buffett Rule' legislation seeking to enforce a minimum tax rate for high-income individuals.
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (Introduced 05/08/2025). Latest Action: Senate - 05/08/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Tracker: This bill has the status Introduced.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse ... delivered an opening statement earlier this week calling on Congress to pass his Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act at a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the future of Social Security.
Assessments
The promise was to call on Congress to pass the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Senator Whitehouse sponsored and reintroduced S.1690 (Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act) on May 8, 2025 and repeatedly urged passage (including statements in the Senate Budget Committee in 2026). While the bill had been referred to committee and had not been enacted as of the available records, the candidate clearly fulfilled the pledged action of calling on Congress and materially advanced the legislation by sponsoring and advocating for it. Therefore the promise (to call on Congress to pass the bill) is delivered in the same term; effort_badge is true because he sponsored the bill and consistently pushed for it.
Senator Whitehouse called on Congress to pass the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act, introduced the bill, repeatedly advocated for its passage, and reintroduced it alongside public legislative efforts. Despite these actions, the bill was blocked in the Senate and did not become law, so the promised outcome (passage of the act) was not delivered. The consistent and serious legislative activity justifies awarding the effort badge.
Senator Whitehouse clearly called on Congress to pass the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act and made multiple legislative and public efforts to advance the bill, including introducing it on the Senate floor and advocating for its passage in response to relevant fiscal warnings. The legislative record shows honest effort and continued advocacy. However, the bill was blocked in the Senate and did not pass; thus, the core promise—calling on Congress to pass the act and seeing it enacted—was not fulfilled. Substantial effort was demonstrated but the actual outcome was not delivered.