Protect and Enhance Social Security

Floor Speech

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Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Larson for hosting this Special Order hour so we can discuss the importance of this country's most effective anti-poverty program.

Social Security is an earned benefit. It is the insurance people pay for with every paycheck, and it is the bedrock of retirement security, with benefits guaranteed to nearly all seniors.

In my district in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, there are about 120,000 Social Security recipients who receive $194 million in monthly benefits. That includes many of our Nation's most vulnerable, including retirees, folks with disabilities, and children.

Social Security's guaranteed benefits keep many recipients from all demographic groups out of poverty, but these protections are especially vital to Black and Brown Americans. Without Social Security, 21.7 million more adults and children would be below the poverty line. That is why Democrats are consistently fighting to stop Republicans' attempts to dismantle this vital program.

Time and time again, Republicans have put forth plan after plan to cut Social Security benefits and raise the minimum retirement age. In the current Congress, they proposed a fiscal commission to address the national debt, which we all know is just a backdoor way to cut essential programs like Social Security and Medicare.

However, in contrast to Republicans, Democrats are offering a proposal that would protect and expand the Social Security program. That is why I am proud to support Congressman Larson's Social Security 2100 Act. This transformative legislation would permanently increase benefits by 2 percent across the board on average for all Social Security beneficiaries for the first time in 52 years. We would pay for this bill by ensuring millionaires and billionaires finally pay their fair share into Social Security.

The American public is on our side when it comes down to protecting and expanding Social Security. Poll after poll finds that the vast majority of Americans believe Social Security benefits should not be reduced in any way and support a proposal to increase benefits. That is why I remain steadfast in opposing any and all cuts to Social Security, and I will continue to work with my Democratic colleagues to protect, expand, and deliver Social Security benefits to all those who have earned them.

Again, I thank Congressman Larson for hosting this Special Order hour and thank him for his consistent leadership.

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