[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      EQUITY IN SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 2010 INTRODUCTION STATEMENT

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                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 21, 2010

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
introduce the ``Equity in Social Security Act of 2010.'' This bill is 
designed to eliminate the discriminatory policy of the Social Security 
Administration that prevents same-sex couples from receiving the same 
benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.
  Social Security provides spousal, survivor, and death benefits to 
married heterosexual couples in their later years. Same sex couples are 
not eligible to receive these benefits because the federal government 
does not recognize their marriages or civil unions.
  These same-sex couples pay into Social Security while working just 
the same as every other American, but in their time of need, the 
government treats them differently. Gay couples receive 18 percent less 
in Social Security benefits than heterosexual couples while lesbian 
couples receive 31 percent less than heterosexuals. It is no wonder 
that these groups are also more likely to live in poverty in their old 
age than heterosexuals.
  All Americans should receive a Social Security benefit based on their 
contribution to the program, not their sexual orientation. That is why 
my legislation would allow couples in relationships that have been 
recognized by their state of residence, whether a domestic partnership, 
civil union or marriage itself, to receive the same benefits from 
Social Security as heterosexual married couples.
  Let me be clear about this effort today. This is meant in no way to 
distract from the effort to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. That is 
the ultimate goal in the movement for marriage equality. My bill is not 
about marriage--it is about economic fairness. This legislation is 
meant to provide assistance to elderly individuals who have not been 
treated fairly by their government.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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