Social Security is a retirement-security program
that has, over the years, provided vital assistance to millions
of American seniors, as well as to disabled persons and the surviving
family of a worker who has passed away. I believe that promises
of assistance in retirement must be kept, and have fought measures
– like the 1993 Social Security tax hike promoted by those
then leading the Congress – that erode seniors’ benefits.
Of course, Social Security is especially important
to Arizonans. As of 2003, almost 864,000 Arizonans were receiving
Social Security benefits – about 15.5 percent of the state’s
total population.
The problem is that, if nothing is done to address
the impending bankruptcy of the Social Security system, the program’s
promise of retirement security will be broken for future generations.
President Bush is correct to warn of this risk and to urge action
to head it off so that Social Security’s promise can be
realized for our grandchildren.
President Bush, recognizing that Congress would
not pursue the proposals he offered last year, has encouraged
those with other ideas for strengthening Social Security to offer
them for discussion. Ultimately, any reform plan will require
bipartisan support and the support of the American people. I have
no doubt that Congress will move carefully and deliberatively
on any proposals affecting Social Security.