Corrections_Today_Summer_2025_Vol.87_No.2

WASHINGTON WATCH

Social Security benefit increases and retroactive payments. This follows the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which fully repeals two Social Security provisions, WEP and GPO, and was signed into law on January 5, 2024. The Social Security Adminis tration (SSA) began depositing retroactive payments into bank accounts on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and completed nearly all retroactive payments by the end of March. Adjustments to ongoing monthly benefits began in April. WEP was enacted in 1983 and re duced the Social Security benefits of workers who received pensions from a federal, state, or local government for employment not covered by Social Security. GPO was enacted in 1977 and reduced Social Security spousal benefits for spouses, wid ows, and widowers whose spouses receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) reintroduced the Combat ting Illicit Xylazine Act (S. 545), which would: – Classify xylazine as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act; – Enable the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to track xylazine’s manufacturing; – Require a report on prevalence, risks and Combatting illicit Xylazine Act reintroduced in House and Senate

Over 3 million American public servants hurt by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) immediately begin receiving Social Security benefit increases and retroactive payments.

recommendations to best regulate xylazine; and – Ensure veterinarians, farm ers and ranchers can still use xylazine for its intended purpose — to treat large animals — by clearly defining “ultimate user” as someone lawfully permitted to possess a controlled substance for legitimate use. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and August Pfluger (R-Texas) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives (H.R. 1839). Attorney General Pam Bondi, on her first day in office advocated for the scheduling of xylazine in an internal Department of Justice memo. Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act passes House, awaits Senate action The House passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 5585) by a 271-154 count on January 30 th . Drivers who intentionally flee from U.S. Border Patrol and other law enforcement officers operating

within 100 miles of the U.S. border would be subject to new criminal penalties under the bill. It also would create new immi gration restrictions for noncitizens who are convicted of, or admit to, using motor vehicles to attempt to evade Border Patrol agents. The measure is named after Raul Gonzalez, a U.S. Border Patrol agent who was killed in the line of duty in December 2022 during a high-speed ATV chase pursuing migrants at the southern border near McAllen, Texas. Individuals operating a motor ve hicle while fleeing from U.S. Border Patrol — or other law enforcement officers assisting with border control operations — within 100 miles of the border would be subject to up to two years in prison, criminal fines, or both. If the motor vehicle chase results in serious bodily injury, the offender could be sentenced to between five and 20 years in prison. A chase that results in death would require a 10-year minimum sentence and could result in life imprisonment. A companion bill (S. 512) was introduced in February by Texas Senator Ted Cruz and 9 co-sponsors. CT

Summer 2025 | Corrections Today

19