[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 132 (Thursday, October 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SOCIAL SECURITY

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                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation which 
will correct a great injustice being endured by many widows and 
widowers throughout this Nation. Current Social Security law requires 
that those who have lost spouses surrender their survivor benefits when 
entering into a new marriage. Many of those who have lost spouses count 
these benefits as their only source of income and rely upon them for 
continuing their daily lives. to force these men and women to abandon 
survivor funds simply because they enter into a marriage after their 
spouse's death is outrageous.
  This measure would be of very modest expense to the government, and 
the costs incurred are certainly justified by the positive results 
derived from the correction of this oversight. Senior citizens, a 
sector of our society often plagued by low incomes and tight budgets, 
would be the primary beneficiaries of this legislation, and we owe it 
to these citizens to provide them with every possible avenue to enjoy a 
proper standard of living.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill would ensure that those who enter into a new, 
long-lasting marriage are not punished simply for finding another 
loving spouse. It is fiscally sound and morally correct. I thank you 
and urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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