Ranking Member of the Social Security Subcommittee

In 2011, Congressman Becerra was elected Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security—making him the top Democratic member in charge of Social Security policy in the House of Representatives. 

Throughout his tenure as Ranking Member, Rep. Becerra has believed Social Security is a sacred bond between young and old, rich and poor that has made America a better country. He has said that "as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Social Security it has been my mission to protect Social Security from any attempt to harm the program, or break the bond that unites America across generations.”

A Retirement, Disability and Life Insurance Plan for All Americans

In 1935, the United States made a landmark promise to its seniors: after a lifetime of work, you should not have to live in poverty in retirement. Prior to Social Security, over 75 percent of the nation's senior citizens lived in poverty.

When President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law, he said:

"Young people have come to wonder what would be their lot when they came to old age. The man with a job has wondered how long the job would last. This law, too, represents a cornerstone in a structure which is being built but is by no means complete. It is, in short, a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness.”

Today, thanks to Social Security and the improvements that have been made to it over the years, the poverty rate for elderly Americans has dropped significantly.

Paying an average monthly retirement inflation protected benefit of $1,335, Social Security serves as a modest, yet solid guard against poverty for most retired Americans.

Social Security does more than ensure a dignified retirement for all working Americans. In the 1950s, President Eisenhower expanded the New Deal program to serve as a powerful safety net for Americans who become disabled or who lose a working family member to early death.

Today, approximately 9 million disabled Americans and their families rely on Social Security benefits to make ends meet as do 6.1 million widowed families. In all, over 59 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits, including almost 5 million Californians, and more than 74,000 beneficiaries in California's 34th Congressional District.

Durable and Indispensable in Good Times and Bad

In the Great Recession, Americans' private retirement accounts dropped by $2.8 trillion and their net worth plummeted by $11.8 trillion. What happened to Social Security? Nothing. It continued to pay out benefits month after month. In fact, Social Security has weathered 13 recessions over the past 78 years and has never been in danger of not being able to pay benefits.

The Social Security trust fund retains $2.8 trillion in assets, which can pay current benefit levels until 2034 (SSA).

While minor adjustments must be made to Social Security from time to time, the program remains the most durable and indispensable government program in American history.

Rep. Becerra is committed to protecting Social Security and expanding it for future generations.