[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E37-E38]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         IT IS TIME FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY EARNINGS TEST TO GO

                                 ______


                           HON. BILL EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, America has always stood as a shining 
example of opportunity for the rest of the world. But today, in the 
United States, opportunity for senior citizens is severely limited.
  Fifty-nine years ago, when the Social Security System was launched, 
unemployment was as high as 25 percent. The earnings test of the Social 
Security Act was a conscious attempt by Congress to discourage the 
elderly from working and thus create jobs for younger Americans.
  Times have changed dramatically since the 1930's, and as we head 
toward the 21st century it seems only just that Congress change this 
discriminatory policy. In the 102d Congress, the House of 
Representatives passed a version of the earnings limitation repeal. To 
my dismay, this provision was later stripped from the legislation.
  It is now up to the 104th Congress to finish the work. The Contract 
With America, which the public overwhelmingly endorsed in the November 
elections, includes a repeal of the Social Security earnings test. The 
public support is clear, and I urge my colleagues to make this the year 
we stop penalizing the work of seniors with some of our country's 
highest 
[[Page E38]] marginal tax rates ever imposed on middle-income 
Americans.


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