[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 27855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM RATHER THAN JUST TALK ABOUT IT

  (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARDIN. Madam Speaker, we began this session of Congress in 
January with much hope of improving our Social Security system and 
strengthening it. Both Democrats and Republicans talked about making 
that our top priority. Well, Madam Speaker, we are now near the end of 
this session of Congress, and we have not lived up to our commitments 
to our seniors.
  In January, we talked about extending the Social Security Trust Fund. 
Now, when we look at what is going to be done, we will not extend the 
solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund by one day.
  The Republican leadership is trying to change the subject. But our 
seniors understand what is happening. It was our responsibility to act 
on Social Security this year, and we are not going to do it.
  The President has sent up proposals that would extend the solvency of 
the Social Security system by 16 years. That is a good first step. We 
should pass that. Then we should work together as Democrats and 
Republicans to strengthen our Social Security system rather than just 
talking about it.

                          ____________________