[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 48 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 48

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress 
   and the President should undertake the Social Security Guarantee 
Initiative to strengthen and protect the retirement income security of 
all Americans through the creation of a fair and modern Social Security 
                     Program for the 21st century.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 9, 1999

  Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress 
   and the President should undertake the Social Security Guarantee 
Initiative to strengthen and protect the retirement income security of 
all Americans through the creation of a fair and modern Social Security 
                     Program for the 21st century.

Whereas the social security program provides benefits to 44,000,000 Americans, 
        including more than 27,000,000 retirees, 5,000,000 people with 
        disabilities, and 2,000,000 surviving children, and is essential to the 
        dignity and security of the Nation's elderly, disabled, and their 
        families;
Whereas the social security program's progressive benefit structure is of 
        particular importance to women, due to their (1) longer life 
        expectancies than men, making social security's lifetime, inflation-
        adjusted benefits a critical income support especially for widows; (2) 
        lower average earnings; and (3) lower pension and other retirement 
        savings, stemming in part from their lower incomes and their spending an 
        average of 11 years out of the paid workforce caring for families;
Whereas the approaching retirement of the Baby Boom Generation will result in 
        the social security program's benefit costs exceeding its tax revenues 
        beginning in 2013;
Whereas the social security program faces looming insolvency and instability in 
        the next century so that by 2032 the Social Security Trust Funds will be 
        fully depleted and the program will be able to honor less than 75 
        percent of benefit commitments; and
Whereas prompt action is necessary to restore Americans' confidence that their 
        retirement benefits will be protected: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Congress and the President should strengthen and 
protect the retirement income security of all Americans through the 
creation of a fair and modern social security program for the 21st 
century that--
            (1) ensures equal treatment across generations to all 
        Americans, especially minorities;
            (2) recognizes the unique obstacles that women face in 
        ensuring retirement, disability, and survivor security and the 
        essential role that social security plays in protecting 
        financial stability for women;
            (3) provides a continuous benefit safety net for workers, 
        their survivors, and individuals with disabilities; and
            (4) protects guaranteed benefits for current retirees and 
        those nearing retirement.
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