FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi to Chairman Thomas: Do Not Discriminate Against Women by Lowering Their Social Security Benefits

Washington, D.C. – Today, Leader Pelosi and 26 women Members of Congress sent the following letter to Ways & Means Chairman Bill Thomas, in response to his recent comments that Congress should consider providing different Social Security benefits for men and women.  The text of the letter follows:

January 24, 2005

The Honorable William Thomas

Chairman, Ways and Means Committee

1102 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC  20500

Dear Chairman Thomas:

We are extremely concerned about your recent comments last week, and again this weekend, suggesting that because women live longer, they should receive lower Social Security benefits than men.  And your comments yesterday refusing to rule out drastic cuts in the guaranteed benefits provided to all Social Security beneficiaries – something that would disproportionately affect women – were equally as troubling. 

As you know, women comprise the majority of Social Security beneficiaries, representing almost 60 percent of all Social Security recipients age 65 and over.  Without Social Security, 52 percent of white women, 65 percent of African American women, and 61 percent of Hispanic women over the age of 65 would live in poverty.  Women are also less likely than men to have pensions or retirement savings to supplement their Social Security checks.  They depend on the fundamental guarantee of Social Security. 

Social Security helps level the playing field for women.  Women, on average, earn less than their male counterparts and also tend to have fewer years in the workforce.  Cutting their benefits even further would make it even harder for them to achieve financial security in retirement.  That is not the path we want to take. 

Mr. Chairman, America’s women have heard nothing that would reassure them that the Republican plans for Social Security will not undermine the economic foundation of their retirement.  We ask you to clarify your previous statements supporting benefit cuts for America’s working women, and to explain how your goal of privatizing the Social Security program makes it easier, not harder, for women to achieve the financial security they have earned and paid for during their working years. 

Sincerely,

NANCY PELOSI                                NITA M. LOWEY

House Democratic Leader                     Member of Congress

HILDA SOLIS                                      TAMMY BALDWIN

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress

CAROLYN MALONEY                      SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

Member of Congress                             Member of Congress

JAN SCHAKOWSKY                         MARCY KAPTUR

Member of Congress                             Member of Congress

LYNN WOOLSEY                              ROSA DELAURO

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress

ZOE LOFGREN                                   CAROLYN MCCARTHY

Member of Congress                             Member of Congress

BARBARA LEE                                    LOIS CAPPS

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress

DIANA DEGETTE                               GWEN MOORE

Member of Congress                             Member of Congress

EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON             SHELLEY BERKLEY

Member of Congress                             Member of Congress

LOUISE SLAUGHTER                        JUANITA MILLENDER-MCDONALD

Member of Congress                             Member of Congress

BETTY MCCOLLUM                          ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress

MAXINE WATERS                              SUSAN DAVIS

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress

LINDA SANCHEZ                               GRACE NAPOLITANO 

Member of Congress                              Member of Congress

DIANE WATSON                                                     

Member of Congress                              

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi