Kaptur: I Oppose Social Security Cuts

Statement

"There is no place that shows the needs of this country versus the preferences of the 1 percent greater than in the debate over Social Security.

First, Congress cut senior meals by $823,000 in Ohio. And now, we are approaching the jugular for seniors -- Social Security cuts. By slashing benefits in Social Security while continuing to give tax incentives to the wealthiest Americans proves that the priorities in Washington lie with the banks, and not the poorest Americans.

The White House included the so-called "chained CPI" method for calculating Social Security cost-of-living adjustments in the fiscal 2014 budget.

This chained CPI proposal is a cut to Social Security benefits that would most hurt seniors over 85 years old. Instead of using the chained CPI, if you want to reform Social Security, make the wealthy pay their fair share by lifting the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes.

Cuts in promised Social Security benefits, whether from chained CPI, a higher retirement age, or means-testing, will shift costs onto the already struggling American families, seniors and veterans.

I oppose Social Security cuts for current or future beneficiaries in any deficit reduction package including supporting the chained CPI proposal."

Source