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H.R. 4197: Strengthening Social Security for Survivors Act

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H.R. 4197: Strengthening Social Security for Survivors Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-06-28 · Social Welfare · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-06-28 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Strengthening Social Security for Survivors Act

Plain summary

Strengthening Social Security for Survivors Act This bill allows eligible widows, widowers, surviving former spouses, parents, and children of a deceased worker to claim Social Security survivor benefits retroactive to the date of the worker's death. Current law limits retroactive claims for survivors benefits to six months.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Strengthening Social Security for Survivors Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4] reported raising $2.2 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr4197 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117