Issue Position: Social Security
Issue Position
Issue Position: Social Security
Since its enactment in 1935, Social Security has helped millions of senior citizens enjoy their retirement with greater financial security. Currently, the Social Security Program is facing some real challenges, and I strongly believe that Congress should focus on strengthening the program through careful planning and wise budgeting, instead of risking its viability through privatization plans.
I have met with hundreds of Ohioans to discuss the future of Social Security. Their message to me has always been clear: maintain the protections of Social Security, and avoid privatization.
America needs to find a way to maintain the Social Security program so that it will continue provide benefits for generations to come, as well as allow seniors and the disabled to maintain independent lifestyles. I will continue to work in Congress to craft a fiscally responsible budget that makes the right investments in defense, health care and education without dipping into the funds needed to secure the future of Social Security.
This is why at the beginning of the 111th Congress, I re-introduced H.R. 1289, a bill that would eliminate the five month waiting period that terminally-ill patients must endure before receiving their first Social Security Disability checks. Under current law, disabled Americans must wait five full months from the date their disability began before the Social Security Administration can begin issuing them disability payments. That delay was designed to prevent fraud and abuse, but it clearly has a disproportionate and unethical impact on terminally-ill Americans and their family members. I believe it is unfair that the Social Security Administration continues to enforce this waiting period for those individuals who are rapidly approaching the end of their lives.
I am also a proud cosponsor of H.R. 235, a bill that would repeal the government pension offset (GPO) requirements as well as windfall elimination (WEP) requirements. These provisions unfairly reduce the amount of Social Security benefits owed to hardworking Ohioans.
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