DelBene Voices Commitment to Social Security on 80th Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement today on the 80th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law:

“Social Security has long been a lifeline for our middle class, and I am committed to strengthening and protecting it for future generations,” DelBene said. “We can’t break our promise to seniors, who have paid for and earned their benefits. I will continue to fight for the long-term stability of the Social Security program so that seniors and Americans with disabilities can rely on this critical safety net for another 80 years.”

Earlier this year, DelBene helped introduce the FAIR Social Security Act to scrap the income contribution cap on wealthy Americans, and supported efforts to safeguard the Trust Fund. Additionally, the bill would improve annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in Social Security by using a formula that reflects seniors’ actual costs, like food, housing and prescription drugs.

DelBene continues to fight efforts to weaken Social Security. Last year, more than 130 members of Congress voted to raise the retirement age and reduce COLAs for seniors. Additionally, a provision was added to the House rules this January that could reduce Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits by 20 percent unless Congress acts.

Social Security provides income security for more than 1.1 million people in Washington state, including more than 105,000 in the First Congressional District.

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