The Senate Finance Committee convened last week to examine “work and Social Security disability benefits, focusing on addressing challenges and creating opportunities.” Throughout this hearing, the committee took every opportunity possible to illuminate the program’s inaccessibility and ineffectiveness. Social Security is deeply broken.

Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), in several of his statements throughout the hearing, attempted to fight back on repeated instances of overpayments that continue to cost the public. He highlighted a $28,000 overpayment example that hurt a person who was already struggling with balancing food and housing costs. This is a price many people have had to pay. He was understandably very upset following the opening statements. The consequences of the failure to address this problem deeply affect many of the 97% of older people who either will receive or do receive Social Security benefits. Wyden directed most of his inquiries to Erin Godtland, the assistant director for education, workforce, and income security at the Government Accountability Office. Her questioning was a prime example of the brokenness of the system.