President Franklin Roosevelt Signed the Social Security Act 79 Years Ago Today

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today celebrating the 79th birthday of the Social Security Act.

“Social Security is the ultimate legislative expression of our nation’s shared values and has tied generations together for 79 years. Along with Medicare, Medicaid and now the Affordable Care Act, it is the bedrock of our American social insurance system, and part of our moral duty to keep retired Americans from falling into poverty.

“On Social Security’s birthday, I pledge to keep its fundamental promise alive: if you work in America, America will guarantee you a foundation for retirement. Happy birthday, Social Security, and thank you for the dignified retirement you have given millions of Americans.”

DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the Social Security Administration. She is a longtime supporter of ensuring seniors are not pushed back in to poverty, as was so often the case before the passage of Social Security.