Protect and Enhance Social Security

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my brothers and sisters on behalf of more than 124,000 of my constituents in north Jersey in the Ninth District who rely on Social Security each and every month. They rely on it.

To some, as in the entire country, that is their only means of income, of survival. That is how Social Security was established in the 1930s and implemented a few years later.

Social Security is one of America's greatest success stories. I remember the first time I ran for Congress in 1996. I walked into a room prepared to deal with housing codes and public housing, but the only questions folks asked me: ``Where do you stand on Social Security?'' ``Do you want to privatize Social Security?''

Social Security is a success story. After nearly 90 years, it still stands as a monument to decency and dignity and the birthright of hardworking Americans, yet throughout its storied history, Mr. Larson, it has been under attack. Even in 1935, it was the subject of attacks and lies from day one.

The Republican Study Committee, which represents three-quarters of House Republicans, proposed slashing Social Security benefits by $718 billion. The GOP leadership wants to create a so-called fiscal commission in our government funding bill. That is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I am proud to join my friend and colleague, Congressman John Larson, in a letter opposing this cynical ploy to slash Social Security and Medicare.

Without aggressive action, Social Security lurches toward insolvency. Congress has a sacred responsibility to fight for its future. The same question asked 26 years ago is asked of me today. That is why I am standing with Mr. Larson on his Social Security 2100 Act, to ensure the long-term strength and solvency of Social Security.

The Social Security 2100 Act provides paid-for benefit enhancements while not raising taxes on middle-class families. It is a no-brainer.

Our bill ends the painful 5-month disability waiting period. Who can justify that in this day and age?

It would ensure Americans suffering with permanent disorders like Huntington's disease get the help they need without red tape or delay.

The bill eliminates the windfall elimination provisions so that firefighters, police officers, teachers, and others get the full benefits that they have earned.

With the Social Security 2100 Act, we are fighting for our seniors who have worked their entire lives and rely on Social Security to make ends meet. We are fighting for working families so that no one who pays into the system over a lifetime ever retires in poverty.

We must get this done for the American people, Mr. Speaker. There are no excuses.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source