Hartford Reporter

Washington, D.C. - On May 23, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) announced landmark legislation, Social Security 2100, to protect and enhance the program.  

“Social Security is the number one anti-poverty program for the elderly, for children, and a disability plan that more veterans rely on than the VA,” said Larson.“As Americans are faced with a global pandemic, supply chain crisis and rising costs, Democrats are coming together to announce a plan of action to secure and expand Social Security. Social Security 2100 will provide an across-the-board benefit increase for all recipients, ensure benefits better reflect seniors’ expenses, repeal the WEP/GPO that penalizes public servants, cut taxes for 23 million beneficiaries, and extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund by asking Americans making more than $400,000 a year to finally pay their fair share. Our seniors, veterans, children, and disabled Americans are not a political bargaining chip- they need our help now! I urge my Republican colleagues to join House Democrats to act with ‘the fierce urgency of now’ on Social Security.” 

A fact sheet on the bill can be found here. 

The press conference can be viewed here. 

"The distinction couldn't be any clearer between House Democrats and extreme MAGA Republicans," said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. "House Democrats, under the leadership of John Larson, want to strengthen and protect Social Security. That is what Social Security 2100 is all about. On the other hand, extreme MAGA Republicans want to end Social Security as we know it and, through their dangerous default gamesmanship, they are risking the earned Social Security benefits of millions of retirees all across the nation." 

“Social Security is a guarantee between the federal government and each and every American,” said Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), Chair of the DPCC. When you contribute to Social Security throughout your career, you trust that you will be able to retire with pride. We must protect and expand Social Security for years to come, which is why I am proud to support Congressman Larson’s Social Security 2100 legislation. This bill is necessary to strengthen this essential program.” 

“Social Security is a multi-generational success story, but Republicans continue to threaten a devastating national default that would cause economic catastrophe and halt Social Security payments to the 65 million Americans that receive benefits. House Democrats are standing against this extortion and for Seniors on Social Security. I am especially proud to join Congressman Larson to introduce the Social Security 2100 Act to shore up the program to help ensure all seniors, including AAPI seniors, have stable retirements today and for generations to come,”said Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. 

“Before I was elected, my father passed away and I remember helping my mom make a budget so that she could stretch her $535 Social Security check the entire month. Finding a way to make ends meet was nearly an impossible task for her and for far too many older people in our country," said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). "For 40% of Latino seniors, Social Security is their sole source of income, and that hard-earned monthly payment is the difference between having a roof over your head and food on the table or not. I’m proud to join Rep. Larson in introducing this legislation to strengthen Social Security so current and future generations who worked their entire lives can retire with dignity.” 

“In my district, the Social Security 2100 package would make a huge difference for the more than 160,000 people who rely on the program every single day – we cannot let them down,” said Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), Chair of the New Democrat Coalition. “House Democrats take protecting Americans’ hard-earned Social Security very seriously, and this bill will help us live up to our promise to our seniors. I am proud to support it.” 

“No corner of America is safe if Republicans blow up our economy. That starts with Social Security,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-09). “Social Security checks will halt if Republicans blow up the economy. That is not hyperbole. Republicans are threatening the lives of every single one of the 65 million Americans that rely on Social Security. Today we lay out our roadmap to protect this program for generations to come. John Larson’s Social Security 2100 bill will do that.” 

“Social Security has never missed a payment since the first check was issued in 1940. It is a lifeline for millions of people, reducing the financial burden on retirees, surviving spouses and children, and disabled Americans,” saidRep. Brian Higgins (NY-26). “Defaulting on these payments means defaulting on the families that rely on them. I am committed to honoring our promises and protecting this sacred system by fighting to pass Social Security 2100, which expands this critical safety net for all.” 

“People who work their entire lives and contribute with every paycheck should be able to rely on Social Security when they retire. When you work hard and play by the rules, you deserve to retire with dignity,” Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-08) said. “Social Security is a lifeline for millions of Michiganders, and I am proud to introduce this legislation to protect and strengthen Social Security benefits for current and future retirees.” 

"For nearly a century, America has made a sacred promise – those who work hard throughout their lives will benefit from the fruits of their labor and of their sacrifice to save for the future. Social Security is an earned benefit and a promise that assures a safe and secure retirement for tens of millions of Americans during their golden years. But without action – that promise is at risk," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "I hear from thousands of retirees in Northwestern Ohio who want to see a responsible solution to protect Social Security.  The Social Security 2100 Act aims to increase benefits for current and new beneficiaries, protect retirees against inflation, and repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and is an important framework for strengthening and preserving America’s bedrock retirement safety net." 

“Social Security is an earned benefit and is our nation's most important social insurance program, helping keep millions of Americans out of poverty during retirement. As a Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Aging and Families, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act,” said Rep. Jan Shakowsky (IL-09), Co-Chair Task force on Aging and Families. “Hardworking Americans put their trust in Congress to protect the treasure that is Social Security. It is past time to improve the program, particularly for women, who make up 55% of all Social Security recipients yet often lose wages due to caregiving responsibilities and a history of lower wages. By increasing Social Security benefits across the board, finally eliminating the harmful Windfall Elimination Provision, and creating a caregiver credit - the Social Security 2100 Act will protect and strengthen Social Security for generations to come. I look forward to working with my good friend and colleague Congressman Larson to ensure its passage.” 

“Social Security 2100 will uphold our promise—ensuring our bedrock social insurance program continues to provide a quality standard of living to current and future generations. These reforms will guarantee that people who’ve paid into this lifeline insurance program will be sure of its benefits,” Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). 

“By unveiling his revised Social Security 2100 Act, Congressman John Larson once again defies the media narrative that ‘no one in Washington has the courage’ to address the program’s future. Rep. Larson’s bill extends the solvency of the Social Security trust fund for decades while also providing American seniors with a much-needed expansion of benefits.  He achieves this by asking high earners to begin paying their fair share into the program.  At a time when the House Majority has taken the country to the brink of default --- which could have catastrophic consequences for seniors on fixed incomes --- Congressman Larson offers a commonsense, fair, and forward-looking plan to ensure that the 88 year-strong promise of Social Security remains fulfilled,”said Max Richtman, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.   

“The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) deeply appreciates Congressman Larson's commitment to enhancing and fortifying Social Security. Rep. Larson takes a proactive stance in tackling the problem of financial insecurity among the elderly population by introducing legislation that will increase benefits, enhance the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and extend the program's solvency. This legislation allows every senior citizen in America to gracefully navigate their later years, knowing that their government values their well-being and respects their contributions.” said Edward Cates, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, TSCL 

“Although we live in the wealthiest country in the world, millions of older Americans are struggling to make ends meet,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance for Retired Americans. "We strongly support Representative Larson's bill, 'Social Security 2100 Act,’ because it will increase benefits across the board and strengthen the Social Security system.” 

"Congressman Larson, Leader Jeffries, and their fellow Democrats are to be applauded for leading the fight to protect and expand, never cut, Social Security's modest benefits. Not only is the Social Security 2100 Act wise policy, it's overwhelmingly popular with voters across the political spectrum.  In contrast, Congressional Republicans are seeking to harm even their own constituents by voting to slash the Social Security Administration's budget by 22 percent, a cut which will close field offices and make it much harder for the American people to access their earned benefits. Even worse, if Democrats don't agree to their ransom, which includes this indirect cut to Social Security, these Republican hostage-takers are threatening to plunge the country into default, which will likely stop the payment of Social Security benefits, according to Treasury Secretary Yellen. The contrast couldn't be clearer," said Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works. 

“Everyone deserves to retire with dignity, and after years of public service America’s educators earned a fair deal in retirement. The 3-million-member National Education Association supports the Social Security 2100 Act that improves Social Security benefits and ensures that educators and public service workers unjustly penalized by the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision receive the benefits they have earned. We thank Representative Larson for his leadership on this important issue and urge Congress to pass this bill quickly,”said Marc Egan, Director of Government Relations, National Education Association. 

“AFGE is proud to represent more than 42,000 SSA employees nationwide who help American families access critical Social Security benefits in times of need,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “We know the importance of Social Security and are proud to support Social Security 2100 to shore up the program’s finances, increase benefits, and improve service to the public.” 

International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President Matthew Biggs: "IFPTE fully endorses Congressman John Larson's Social Security 2100 Act, landmark legislation that offers a common-sense and fiscally responsible approach to making sure Social Security benefits provide meaningful economic support to Americans when they need them. Social Security is the foundation of our nation’s retirement security and disability income support and Rep. Larson's bill shore's up the Social Security trust funds and makes sure no American on Social Security will live in poverty. This legislation is funded in a progressively responsible manner that increases the Social Security benefit without any negative impact on lower and middle-income wage earners.” 

“Social Security is a life line for thousands of retirees and needs to be preserved and strengthened.”Bette Marafino, President, CT Alliance for Retired Americans

William Shackelford, National President, of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) said, “NARFE thanks Congressman Larson for his diligent protection of Social Security and for his fight to ensure that this crucial program keeps its promises to every American. Our association appreciates the attention this comprehensive bill gives to repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, so the promise of Social Security can be fully met for our nation’s public servants. We have long believed that Social Security should be a benefit that people can depend on, and the Social Security 2100 Act does just that.”  

Issues: Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust

Original source can be found here.