[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SUPPORTING SOCIAL SECURITY

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2010

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, as we approach the 75th anniversary of 
Social Security, I rise today to reaffirm its promise as an economic 
lifeline to millions of senior citizens and those with disabilities, 
and to preserve it for future generations.
  More than 50 million Americans depend on Social Security benefits to 
make ends meet. For many, it is their only source of financial security 
during these tough economic times. Seniors have worked all their lives 
and made contributions to the Social Security program. However, we 
should not threaten their benefits to reduce the federal deficit and 
pay for the policies of fiscal irresponsibility that President Obama 
inherited. Fixing this budget mess should not come at the cost of 
hurting Social Security beneficiaries.
  Our Republican colleagues have once again advanced a proposal to 
partially privatize Social Security that puts the financial security 
and stability of America's seniors at risk. Seniors cannot afford to 
have their retirement security gambled away on the volatile stock 
market. At the same time Washington Republicans want to repeal the Wall 
Street reform legislation, they are pushing for a risky plan that would 
funnel billions of dollars of America's Social Security retirement 
savings to Wall Street.
  Madam Speaker, we have a choice to make. We can take the path that 
jeopardizes the Social Security program and the benefits it provides, 
or we can take the road that preserves the retirement benefits that 
seniors have paid for, earned and need. Let's choose the right path and 
make sure that Social Security continues to provide seniors with the 
same financial stability, reliability and security as it has for the 
past 75 years.

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