Equity in Social Security Act of 2010 Introduction Statement

Floor Speech

* Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ 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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