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HR 1540 116th Congress House

Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement (POWR) Act

Official title: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to improve social security benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households.

Introduced: March 5, 2019 Introduced by: Sánchez, Linda T. Democratic · California See on congress.gov
Social Welfare Poverty and welfare assistanceSocial security and elderly assistance
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 5, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Mar 5, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Mar 5, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 5, 2019

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement (POWR) Act

This bill increases Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits for widows or widowers in two-income households by establishing an alternative benefit based on combined household benefits.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 2654 Related bill Strengthening Social Security Act of 2019
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 9
All 9 Democratic 8 Republican 1
R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Mar 26, 2019
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Dingell, Debbie
Michigan · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Gonzalez, Vicente
Texas · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Moore, Gwen
Wisconsin · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Pocan, Mark
Wisconsin · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Wilson, Frederica S.
Florida · Mar 5, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1540: Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement (POWR) Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1540/
MLA
"H.R. 1540: Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement (POWR) Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1540/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1540, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1540/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1540: Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement (POWR) Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1540/)
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