Social Security

Millions of retired Americans depend on Social Security for their retirement. We must take steps to preserve, protect and strengthen the system for current retirees as well as future generations. Years of reckless spending in Washington have put Social Security in jeopardy and the first step to solving Social Security's problems is to get spending under control and the economy back on track. As we continue to work to halt Washington's spending spree, both parties should forge meaningful, bipartisan reform for the Social Security system that protects the promise of Social Security for the American people for generations to come.

I am a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 2402, the Prioritize Spending Act of 2011, which would specify Social Security as priority payments if the debt ceiling is reached. We have an obligation to protect Social Security for those Americans at or near retirement who have paid into the system for decades while also preserving the system for our children and grandchildren. I believe that we can find solutions that do both and look forward to working with my colleagues from both parties address the challenges facing Social Security.