H.R. 173 · 108th Congress · 2003–2004
Blind Empowerment Act of 2003
H.R. 173 in the 108th Congress (2003–2004) was introduced on Jan 7, 2003, sponsored by Thomas Reynolds with 180 co-sponsors.
During the 108th Congress (2003–2004), George W. Bush was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.
- Status
- Introduced
- Introduced
- Jan 7, 2003
- Co-sponsors
- 180
- Policy area
- Social Welfare
What it does
Blind Empowerment Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase, by specified increments over five years, the level of earnings demonstrating the ability of a blind person to engage in substantial gainful activity for purposes of determining disability insurance benefit payments.
Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
Sponsor
Thomas Reynolds (R-NY). Co-sponsors: 109 Democrats, 70 Republicans, 1 Independent.
Where it stands
- IntroducedJan 7, 2003
- Passed the House—
- Passed the Senate—
- Sent to the President—
- Became law—
Latest action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security. (Jan 23, 2003)
More bills from Thomas Reynolds in the 108th Congress
Other Social Welfare bills in the 108th Congress
- H.R. 2350: Welfare Reform Extension Act of 2003
- S. 1276: Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act
- H.R. 3182: Adoption Promotion Act of 2003
- H.R. 743: Social Security Protection Act of 2004
- S. 2231: Welfare Reform Extension Act of 2004
- H.R. 4589: TANF and Related Programs Continuation Act of 2004
- H.R. 5149: Welfare Reform Extension Act, Part VIII
- S. 333: Elder Justice Act
- H.R. 535: To provide access to welfare tools to help Americans get back to work.
- H.R. 594: Social Security Fairness Act of 2003
Committees
More
From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.
Cite or embed this page
Capitol Receipts, “H.R. 173 (108th Congress): Blind Empowerment Act of 2003,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/108-hr-173/blind-empowerment-act-of-2003 (accessed 2026-10-17).