This week, Rep. John Larson (D-CT), chair of the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, held two historic hearings on expanding Social Security benefits. These were the first hearings on Social Security expansion in nearly half a century.

These hearings represent a return to transparency and regular order, an important development for anyone who cares about the future of the American people’s pension, Social Security.

In addition to holding hearings, Representative Larson recently introduced the Social Security 2100 Act along with over 200 of his fellow Democrats. This wise legislation expands Social Security’s modest benefits while ensuring that all promised benefits will be paid in full and on time through the year 2100 and beyond.

Under Larson’s leadership, Democrats are holding public hearings and, presumably, plan to record their votes on the issue in the Ways and Means Committee and the House floor. This presents a sharp contrast to the infamous Bowles Simpson Commission, the so-called Super Committee and other closed door, fast track efforts that attempted to cut Social Security’s modest benefits in secret so that the American people would have no way to hold their elected leaders accountable.

It also is a stark contrast to the House Republicans when they were in the majority. For years, Larson, as ranking Democratic member of the Social Security subcommittee, requested the kind of hearings that he held this week. But as long as Republicans held the House majority, they refused.

Now that Larson has the gavel, his Republican colleagues emphasize the so-called need for “bipartisanship” on Social Security. What they really seem to be saying, from their performance at the recent hearings, is that they want Democrats to give them political cover to cut benefits so that they are free from accountability at the ballot box.

Read more – full story at Forbes.com