Congress only recently increased funding to help address the backlog of disability claims. and we are working to continue that trend. It will take sustained adequate funding for SSA to meet the challenge of reducing its backlog while keeping pace with growing workloads. In light of these difficulties. we have been concerned about whether SSA has been provided the necessary resources by DHS to meet its rapidly growing workload under the EVerify program. I thank our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee. who worked tirelessly with us to include language in this bill to provide for full and timely payment to SSA for its role under the EVerify program. The Social Security Act prohibits the use of Social Security program funds for nonprogram related purposes. Therefore. SSA executes reimbursement agreements with other agencies whenever SSA performs work on their behalf. SSA plays a significant role in the EVerify pilot program. Every query made by the system is run through SSA data and systems first. Every time there is a mismatch between the information sent via EVerify and the SSA database. employees are told to contact SSA. Many must visit SSA field offices to show necessary proof of identity or workauthorization. For this work.