Month: November 2025

The SWIFT Act would expand Social Security benefits for over one million Americans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation to expand Social Security benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act makes necessary changes to Social Security benefit rules by addressing outdated benefit caps, arbitrary legal restrictions, and claiming requirements—resulting in increased benefits for widow(ers) and surviving divorced spouses.

“The SWIFT Act corrects outdated rules and restrictions and removes barriers limiting Social Security benefits—ensuring widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses receive the Social Security benefits they rightfully deserve. Social Security is a lifeline for Americans, playing a critical role in their economic security and financial well-being—and yet, many individuals face burdensome hurdles and arbitrary requirements preventing them from receiving the full benefits they are owed. With this legislation, we make sure that no American is missing out on the benefits they need to live with dignity,” said Blumenthal.

“Our seniors have spent a lifetime working hard and paying into Social Security, and they deserve to receive adequate benefits and retire with dignity, not spend their golden years just trying to get by,” said Gillibrand. “But outdated rules and antiquated policies mean that too many seniors, especially widowed spouses, and women disproportionately, aren’t receiving the benefits they’ve earned or being treated fairly. Our SWIFT Act will help modernize the program and strengthen benefits for our seniors.”

The SWIFT Act allows widow(ers) and surviving divorced spouses with disabilities to receive 100% of the survivor benefits they are entitled to, regardless of their age, and empowers widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses to increase their survivor benefits beyond current arbitrary caps. The legislation also expands child-in-care benefits for widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses caring for children, significantly helping families struggling with the burden of caregiving.

The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Reps, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, The Arc of the United States, Justice in Aging, Alliance for Retired Americans, National Association of Disability Representatives, Social Security Works, and Strengthen Social Security Coalition.

“Our communities are stronger when families have the support they need during times of tragedy — and that’s exactly what the SWIFT Act provides. By ensuring widows and widowers can access their full Social Security survivor benefits, this bill will prevent countless families from falling through the cracks after losing a loved one. On behalf of 1.4 million AFSCME members, the public service workers who support working families every single day, we thank Sen. Blumenthal for introducing this critical piece of legislation and urge the Senate to pass it without delay,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders.

“The SWIFT Act delivers meaningful improvements for disabled survivors by removing outdated barriers and ensuring timely access to full benefits. NADR is proud to endorse this bill and values the bipartisan commitment to modernizing Social Security for the people who depend on it,” said Kelly Blad, President of the National Association of Disability Representatives.

“Losing a spouse is one of the saddest, most difficult times in a person’s life. For many, the emotional loss is compounded by sudden economic insecurity. The SWIFT Act recognizes this extra vulnerability, and addresses it by expanding Social Security’s benefits paid to those who have lost a spouse. Social Security Works enthusiastically endorses the SWIFT Act and thanks Senator Blumenthal for his extraordinary vision and sensitivity to this important issue,” said Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works.

The full text of the bill can be found here:
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/download/2025-11-20_swift_act_bill_text

(Hartford, CT) — Attorney General William Tong joined a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general and the City of New York in sending a letter to Shopify Inc., urging the company to take stronger action against merchants using the platform to sell illegal tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Shopify describes itself as “a commerce platform that helps you sell online and in person” and explains that “[e]ntrepreneurs, retailers, and global brands use Shopify to make sales, run stores, and grow their businesses.” Despite Shopify’s policies that prohibit merchants from using its services for unlawful activities, merchants continue to use Shopify’s services to sell illegal e-cigarettes.

The letter is the latest action by Attorney General Tong to address sales of bootleg nicotine products. Flavored nicotine products are largely manufactured and imported illegally into the United States from China. The companies who manufacture and distribute these products have failed to participate in the FDA’s mandated marketing order process, and these products are considered adulterated and unlawful for sale. This has not stopped the proliferation of these products. Last January, Attorney General Tong announced an investigation into 12 Connecticut smoke shops and convenience stores and two wholesalers found selling highly potent, illegally imported disposable e-cigarettes flavored and designed to appeal to youth. That investigation is active and ongoing.

“These bootleg vapes are illegally imported, untested and unsafe, and legitimate businesses should not have any part in facilitating their sale,” said Attorney General Tong. “We’re going to keep doing everything we can to shutoff the supply and distribution of these illegal products.”

In today’s letter, the coalition identifies 29 illegal e-cigarette websites that are currently hosted on Shopify’s platform. California recently placed these websites on notice for operating in violation of federal and state laws. The letter encloses an exhibit identifying over 200 additional websites known to sell illegal tobacco products. This list is not exhaustive. The coalition offers to undertake some of the effort needed to further identify illegal sellers to Shopify.

Notably, the use of Shopify’s consumer delivery services to facilitate scofflaw distributors’ online sales of e-cigarettes violates newly enacted state legislation. Effective July 1, 2025, Connecticut’s existing ban on the delivery of traditional cigarettes directly to Connecticut consumers applies to e-cigarettes as well.

Joining Attorney General Tong in sending today’s letter to Shopify, which is co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the City of New York, are the attorneys general of Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

A copy of the letter can be found here:
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/CA_NYC%20Letter%20to%20Shopify_FINAL.pdf

Assistant Attorneys General Amor Rosario and Heather Wilson, Deputy Section Chief for Tobacco Enforcement, are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.