[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 112 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4277, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM 
                              ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, August 11, 1994

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives passed 
the conference report on H.R. 4277, the Social Security Administration 
Reform Act of 1994. I supported H.R. 4277 when it passed the House in 
May, and I support the conference report today.
  This legislation will remove the Social Security Administration from 
the Department of Health and Human Services and establish it as an 
independent agency. Currently the Social Security Administration is the 
largest agency within the Department of Health and Human Services and 
the ninth largest agency within the Federal Government.
  This agency will have direct administrative responsibility for the 
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs. The 
President will appoint a Commissioner to head this new agency.
  Independence for the Social Security Administration is not a new 
idea--this issue has been addressed since back in the 1970's. However, 
the House and Senate could not come to an agreement. Finally during 
this 103d Congress both the House and the Senate have agreed to this 
motion, with President Clinton's endorsement.
  This legislation also promotes fiscal restrictions in such areas as 
disability payments to alcoholics and drug addicts who refuse 
participation in a treatment program.
  There is much dialog about Social Security during this Congress. As a 
member of the Entitlement Commission, I am well aware of the important 
part Social Security plays--we all know the system was not designed as 
a retirement benefit, yet millions of Americans have worked and paid 
into Social Security for just that reason, to be ensured benefits when 
they retired. Social Security is the largest entitlement program with 
near universal participation. It has been a successful program--yet it 
is imperative that some adjustments are made if the program is to 
continue into future generations.
  I believe that this program has proven to be long-term--Social 
Security will be 60 years old in 1995--it is time to treat this program 
with the respect it so deserves. I am pleased that this legislative 
body has chosen to elevate the Social Security Administration to agency 
status.

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