Meehan Marks 75th Anniversary of Social Security

Press Release

Expresses support for strengthening system to ensure solvency, viability

Pat Meehan, the Republican candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, today marked the 75th Anniversary of Social Security, calling it a vital program that federal elected officials need to work to strengthen and ensure remains there for our nation's seniors. Legislation establishing the Social Security program was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935.

"I am committed to fighting for the long term solvency and viability of Social Security to ensure that it is there for current and future retirees," said Pat Meehan, a former District Attorney and U.S. Attorney. "Social Security is an integral part of our retirement system in the United States and we need to work together in a bi-partisan manner to address some of the long-term challenges facing the program."

"According to figures from the Social Security Administration, Social Security accounts for more than 50 percent of the average senior married couple's monthly income and nearly 75 percent for the average single senior," said Meehan. "Shoring up the financing of the system needs to be an issue we work toward regardless of political party or ideology."

Meehan also noted that he opposed the concept of raising the retirement age for Social Security, which has been raised by House Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, as well as Republican Minority Leader John Boehner. "I believe we can strengthen the system without raising the retirement age or privatizing the program," said Meehan.

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