[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            STOP DISCRIMINATION AGAINST OUR SENIOR CITIZENS

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                       HON. BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 1994

  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, we must stop, once and for all, 
discriminating against our Nation's senior citizens. How can we, as a 
country, take pride in the fairness of our Government and the fairness 
of our laws when every day we blatantly discriminate against every 
older American in our country who is willing to work.
  Currently, a senior citizen, age 62-64, loses $1 dollar in Social 
Security benefits for every $2 dollars he or she earns over the limit 
of $8,040. Seniors age 65 to 69 lose $1 dollar for every $3 dollars 
they earn over the limit of $11,160. H.R. 300, The Older Americans 
Freedom to Work Act would repeal the onerous earnings test. Seniors 
have much to contribute to society, and those that want to work should 
be able to do so without being penalized. It's outrageous that a 
Depression-era relic that was designed to discourage older Americans 
from remaining in the work force, 60 years ago, continues to haunt us.
  Enough is enough. Let's sign the discharge petition, repeal the 
earnings test, and revoke this tax that robs our senior citizens, the 
economy, and the Nation's work force of invaluable experience.

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