[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HANDS OFF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY

  (Ms. Stansbury of New Mexico was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to say hands off our 
Social Security because Social Security is not a luxury. It is not a 
handout. It is a sacred trust, a promise that we make to Americans that 
the hard-earned money that they pay into the system will be there when 
they need it--our seniors, our children who have lost a parent, people 
in our communities who live with disabilities.
  It is the lifeline that sustains our communities, our seniors. It is 
a promise that they can live their lives with dignity.
  I am here today with my dear colleague, Congressman   John Larson, to 
not only say hands off our Social Security but also to introduce a bill 
with that name.
  This bill will protect Social Security from an administration that is 
trying to systematically dismantle it. It will protect benefits. It 
will stop the privatization of benefits. It will stop staffing cuts and 
closures, protect privacy and data, and protect the proud men and women 
who go to work every day to serve our seniors at the Social Security 
Administration.
  Mr. Speaker, these are the American people's benefits, and we are 
fighting to ensure that not only are they here today and tomorrow but 
for future generations to come.
  That is why I am so proud to be in this fight with my dear colleague, 
the man, the legend, the Congressman who has fought for Social Security 
for so many years, Ranking Member   John Larson of Connecticut.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), 
the ranking member.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury) for yielding to me. Her work and effort are 
exemplary.
  Here is the data, the facts, Mr. Speaker: Over 70 million of our 
fellow Americans rely on Social Security, and Social Security, 
throughout its history, has never missed a payment.
  Today, it is even more crucial as 10,000 baby boomers a day become 
eligible for Social Security, and for more than 40 percent of all 
Social Security recipients, this is the only benefit that they have.
  Representative Stansbury is part of legislation that seeks to expand 
benefits, not just protect Social Security. Congress hasn't acted on 
Social Security and its expansion since 1971. Richard Nixon was 
President of the United States.

  Mr. Speaker, because of the initiative, energy, and enthusiasm of 
Members of Congress like Representative Stansbury, people in New Mexico 
and all across the country--Mr. Speaker, it might surprise even you, as 
well, to know how many people in your district are equally served. More 
than $300,000 comes in monthly to recipients in your district in the 
great State of Virginia, but that hasn't changed in over 54 years.
  Now is the time to act. Now is the time to get behind Representative 
Stansbury's legislation that will be incorporated into the Committee on 
Ways and Means' configuration on Social Security that will benefit the 
people.
  As Representative Stansbury has indicated, this is America's number 
one antipoverty program for the elderly and number one antipoverty 
program for children, and more veterans rely on Social Security 
disability than they do the VA.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Stansbury for her efforts and initiatives.
  Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud and honored to be in the 
fight with the ranking member and, more importantly, to be in the fight 
for America and for our veterans, seniors, and children.
  Let's do this, America. Let's protect Social Security.

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