Dreier Submits Testimony to Key Social Security Subcommittee

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, provided testimony this week to the fourth House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee hearing in a series of Social Security high risk issues. The hearing focused on proposals to strengthen the integrity of the Social Security card, including Dreier’s legislation, the Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act, or H.R. 98

"The use of the Social Security numbers has grown in number and scope since 1935, and I cannot stress enough the need for protecting this vital piece of personal information," Dreier said in written testimony. "In fact, the ease with which Social Security cards can be falsified is directly tied to our current problem with illegal immigration. We’ve taken steps in the REAL ID Act to secure our driver’s licenses and other identification documents against fraud and abuse. It is long past time to secure the Social Security card."

Dreier’s bill creates an updated "smart" counterfeit-proof Social Security card that includes a digitized photo and electronic strip unique to the holder. Employers would use this card to electronically verify the work authorization status of new hires with a database at the Department of Homeland Security, greatly simplifying the employment verification process and helping to stop the hiring of illegal immigrants.

Dreier also pointed out that the creation of a "smart" Social Security card would not create a national ID card. "A worker would only need the updated Social Security card when applying for a new job,"Dreier wrote. "We want to make it very, very clear that this is not a national ID card. In fact, the legislation contains language to ensure that the improved Social Security card does not become a national ID, and is only used to verify a prospective employee’s authorization to work in the United States. Social Security cards are already routinely required to be provided to new employers; the changes we are proposing to the Social Security card take us no further down the road of creating a national ID card."