A Forest Service official shot down legislation aimed at bolstering the Social Security system with revenues from activities on public lands.
The “Land and Social Security Optimization (LASSO) Act,” H.R.34, from Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), would direct 10 percent of public land revenues to the Social Security Trust Fund.
But David Lytle, Forest Service acting deputy chief of fire and aviation management, said the legislation doesn’t clearly define its “mechanics” or consider statutes that already govern public lands revenue.
“While the department appreciates the intent of the bill to strengthen Social Security consistent with the President’s unbreakable commitment to protecting and strengthening this vital program, as currently written, the department opposes H.R.34,” Lytle said during a hearing.
