between the budgets for SSDI and Social Security Old Age and Survivors Insurance, the SSA’s far larger program for retirees.
This issue came to the forefront in January 2015, when the House of Representatives, on a near party line vote supported by the Republicans, voted to bar the SSA from reallocating funds between the programs. Although President Obama would almost surely veto a similar measure if approved by the Senate, the bill prompted a backlash from disability advocates (PDF format).
At this point, the battle is between candidates seeking to expand and cut SSDI benefits. In the center is Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, who has been largely mum on the subject of SSDI. In regard to the larger Social Security system, Clinton has ruled out major cuts, but in the 2008 race opposed a plan by then-candidate Barack Obama to increase Social Security revenue by raising the cap on the payroll that funds the program.
To the left of Clinton is Senator Bernie Sanders, who has made Social Security expansion central to his platform. Earlier this year, Senator Sanders blasted the House’s vote to restrict reallocations of Social Security spending. He also accused some Senators of attempting to drive a wedge between seniors and people with disabilities by contending that reallocation would hurt seniors.
Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has also called for expanding Social Security, but has not said much in regard to SSDI.
Among the Republican candidates, almost all are for such measures as expanding the retirement age and reducing benefits for wealthier seniors, but specifics as to SSDI have been minimal.
http://www.rootedinrights.org/ssdi-likely-to-be-center-stage-in-2016-presidential-election-race/
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