PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY

On 2026-02-10, Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) delivered a floor speech titled "PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered the economy, the environment.

PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2105-H2106] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY (Ms. Kaptur of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Social Security. It is a sacred trust and a solemn promise to generations of America's workers. It is a promise that includes a retirement benefit that is earned. It is a disability benefit in the event of injury. It is also a survivorship benefit, an insurance benefit for families if the earner becomes ill or is fatally hurt and dies. This belongs to all Americans who work. Workers pay into this earned benefit system, and they do it through their FICA taxes. It comes out of a check every month. Social Security is earned. Yet, President Trump and his administration, especially the DOGE boys--I bet you nobody in this Chamber even knows their names--have worked to weaken this 90-year-old security benefit. The Trump administration and their approach threatens the Social Security Administration's ability to operate. They have already cut over 7,000 jobs of employees who administer this program to millions of Americans from coast to coast. In my district alone, there was an 11 percent decrease in Social Security field office workers. That means appointments are delayed, and questions can't be answered for months. Sometimes the phone isn't answered through no fault of their own. I want to say to every single public employee who works in a Social Security office across this country that they are patriots. We thank them for the work they do. We salute them. We salute them for their patriotism. Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration says they are not closing any offices; but the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, is attempting to weaken and dismantle a system which has stood tall for almost a century, created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. More than 11,000 Americans turn 65 each day. Many will graduate to access benefits and, ultimately, Medicare for their own health. Congress must ensure that our citizens have a guaranteed safe and secure retirement. They worked for it. DOGE not only threatens Social Security by removing vital staff across our country but by mistreating and exposing beneficiaries' private and personal information. In my entire lifetime, I have never seen strangers go into the U.S. Treasury Department and peek at other people's private beneficiary records. This is un-American. We can't even name the names of those who did this. The private information of the American people should not be fed into AI software somewhere or made open for the entire internet, which is full of hackers to access. We must protect the assets of our people and those who trust this program. Social Security information has always been private until now. Social Security is often the only resource that keeps our seniors out of poverty. For more than 7 million Americans over the age of 65, at least 90 percent of their income comes from Social Security, which they earned. Of those 7 million, almost half would not be able to afford essentials such as food, housing, and clothing without Social Security benefits. Now due to tariffs and inflation caused by Trump, those costs continue to go up, up, and up for everybody including seniors. It is hardest on them. Every county in Ohio has at least 20 percent of its population receiving some form of Social Security benefits, and this means Social Security plays a huge role economically in northwestern Ohio's economy. {time} 1100 Standing up for our region and our seniors is one of my highest priorities in Congress, and that is why last year, when Social Security celebrated its 90th birthday, I introduced a resolution to demonstrate continued support from Congress for this program. It must be strengthened to support Americans and the next generation throughout their retirement for decades to come. Raising the retirement age would reduce benefits for millions of Americans, placing an unnecessary burden on [[Page H2106]] seniors and those who are close to retirement. I promise to oppose any changes to the retirement age for these vital, national retirement, disability, and insurance programs. If seniors choose to keep working after age 60 or age 65, that is okay, but they will be taxed on their income. That is only fair, but that FICA tax will go into Social Security. I thank all of our colleagues who joined in supporting my resolution and urge others to consider supporting this resolution, which demonstrates the House of Representatives' dedication to protecting retirement security by not raising the retirement age. I support strengthening Social Security, not cutting and gutting it. Mr. Speaker, I end with Social Security is a sacred trust from one generation to the next, and we intend to keep it. God bless every senior in this country and those who will access that important age of 65-66 very soon. ____________________