[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PRIVATIZING SOCIAL SECURITY

  (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, like most of my 
colleagues, I have recently spent time traveling through my district 
and listening to my constituents. The President's plan to privatize 
Social Security was the number one issue for many of my constituents.
  Not everyone has the means or ability to prepare for the future, and 
none of us can protect our families against all the misfortunes that 
can sweep us into economic hard times.
  Mr. Speaker, the President's plan to privatize Social Security is 
social insecurity, not social security. By forcing people, especially 
seniors, to rely on private accounts that fluctuate with the market, 
the President is gambling with our economic safety net. When the market 
loses ground, as it has in the past year, the safety net for America's 
seniors could be yanked away, not only for the seniors, Mr. Speaker, 
but for the survivors and the children.
  We need to make sure that Social Security will continue to provide 
the same safety net against poverty that it has for almost 70 years.

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