WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered the following remarks during debate in the U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 5348, the Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025. 

As prepared for delivery.

“A lost or stolen Social Security number can cause a lifetime of harm to American children. 

“Every year, more than a million children become victims of identity fraud. 

“Current Social Security Administration policy makes it extremely difficult for families to get a new Social Security number for a child – even when families know the original number was compromised through no fault of their own. Previously, the Ways and Means Committee heard direct testimony from a mother who had to battle with the Social Security Administration when her one-month-old child’s Social Security number was compromised, and she was denied a new number.

“This bill, the Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Smucker, will help families when their child’s Social Security number is lost or stolen. It requires the SSA to issue a new number to children under the age of 14 when that child’s card has been compromised versus sitting around and waiting for a malicious act to take place. 

“This is a straightforward solution that will help protect children and families from fraud. I urge my colleagues to support this so we can continue to stand together to better safeguard the identities of America’s kids.”