[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 22 (Wednesday, March 2, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E344-E345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SOCIAL SECURITY IS IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 02, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today's debate is an extremely important 
conversation on the future of Social Security. The simple facts of the 
matter are that Social Security is not in a state of crisis, it will 
not go bankrupt and it will always be there for those who contribute to 
it. Unfortunately, the plans promoted by this Administration and my 
Republican colleagues do nothing to address the core issues related to 
the Trust Fund's solvency. Instead, the issue has been draped in 
rhetoric in pursuit of an ideological agenda that will not save Social 
Security but in fact will put it at greater risk. Americans across the 
country, from Kansas to California and from New Hampshire to New 
Mexico, whether black or white, man or woman, will have their benefits 
cut and the financial safety net removed from their retirement. While 
Republican proposals will hurt everyone, women are particularly at 
risk. As Republicans regale us with misleading statements and flowery 
predictions, the cold hard facts of reality reveals a somber picture.
  More than 24 million women receive Social Security benefits. They 
make up 58 percent of seniors who receive Social Security and without 
it, 53 percent of all senior women would be poor. In 2000, Social 
Security saved seven million women from poverty. More than seven 
million women receive disability or survivor benefits. These numbers 
deserve our undivided attention. The current proposal would cut these 
benefits by more than 40 percent over the coming decades. If the 
President's plan were put in to effect, trillions of dollars would be 
taken out of Social Security, endangering the benefits of current 
retirees and people with disabilities. These are Americans who have 
contributed to the Trust Fund their entire working lives and now their 
guaranteed benefits are endangered. For years we have looked out for 
our fellow Americans, to lift them up and prove to them that no man, 
woman or child, regardless of race, religion, or socio-economic status, 
will be left behind. Never in my 24 years in Congress have I seen such 
disregard for our countrymen and women. In a time when we are asking so 
many to sacrifice so much, this Administration appears ready to 
dismantle an incredibly successful and equitable program. At the same 
time, the President's tax policy will cost 3 to 5 times as much as the 
shortfall predicted by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The 
Medicare Program is already running a shortfall that is almost 8 times 
as much as Social Security.
  This effort will do nothing to address the real problems facing the 
Social Security Trust Fund. Social Security plays a unique role in the 
lives of women. We know women live longer than men and make less in the 
workplace. Rather than ensure that the Social Security Trust Fund can 
provide for these women and their families, the Administration wants to 
cut benefits and create a risky privatization plan that does not 
guarantee a livable rate of return.
  Social Security is truly one of our greatest success stories, 
virtually eliminating poverty for the aged. While we all agree that 
important concerns about Social Security should be effectively 
addressed, I do not believe turning this matter into a crisis should 
force us to accept what would otherwise be unacceptable. I am concerned 
that the scenarios suggested by the Administration do not serve us well 
as we conduct this domestic policy debate. Manufacturing a crisis with 
an ideological agenda is unacceptable.
  Social Security is the core of old-age support and was intended as an 
income supplement and a crucial safety net for seniors, not a money 
making scheme. We must preserve Social Security through sound fiscal 
discipline and legitimate policy adjustments to meet the demands of 
future generations. Instead of weakening Social Security I believe that 
it should be strengthened and made more secure ensuring its success for 
generations to come. We cannot turn Social Security into Social 
Insecurity.
    

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