[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 186 (Monday, November 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H13351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SENIOR CITIZENS' RIGHT TO WORK ACT OF 1995

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Bunning] is recognized 
during morning business for 3 minutes.
  Mr. BUNNING of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon with a 
very simple message for the senior citizens of America. To the senior 
citizens of America I say, you have not been forgotten by this 
Congress.
  Republicans in this Congress have not forgotten the promise that we 
made to you to raise the unfair Social Security earnings limit imposed 
on those who want to remain productive after age 65.
  Later today I will introduce the Senior Citizens' Right to Work Act 
of 1995. My bill will raise the earnings limit from the current $11,280 
to $30,000 a year by the year 2002. As chairman of the Social Security 
Subcommittee I want hard-working seniors to know that we will keep our 
promise. This time, we will raise the earnings limit.
  First, immediately after Thanksgiving my subcommittee will take 
action on this legislation. Then, the esteemed chairman of the Ways and 
Means Committee, Mr. Archer--himself a champion of legislation to raise 
the earnings limit for over two decades--has promised that the Ways and 
Means Committee will act.
  Finally, the majority leader himself has promised that the House will 
act on this legislation just as soon as the committee has finished its 
work.
  My bill will fully preserve the financial integrity of the Social 
Security trust fund. That is important to tomorrow's retirees--our 
children and grandchildren. We must make sure that Social Security will 
be there for them as well.
  And, with the help of the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hastert], who 
has worked so hard on this issue, there is no question in my mind that 
it will sail through the House.
  And I have the word of the champion of this legislation in the other 
body, the Senator from Arizona, that it will enjoy the same speedy 
action in the Senate.
  Finally, in ``Putting People First,'' the President also pledged his 
support to raising the earnings limit.
  To my colleagues on both sides of the aisle I say, Christmas is 
coming. Let us give America's seniors something they want and need.
  Let us raise the unfair Social Security earnings limit and give hard-
working seniors the best Christmas present of all. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this bill, and if you would like to cosponsor 
this legislation--call my office at Social Security subcommittee.

                          ____________________